Community selected Transformative Corridor

The “Envision Shooks Run Corridor Facilities Master Plan,” adopted on February 14, 2017, by the City of Colorado Springs, outlines a community-driven vision for the four-mile Shooks Run Corridor. This comprehensive plan aims to manage infrastructure replacement, create a transformative greenway, and influence land use along the corridor.

Plan Overview

The plan addresses the replacement of aging infrastructure, including utilities, bridges, culverts, roadways, and drainage facilities, many of which are in poor or deteriorating condition and contribute to flooding and erosion. The purpose of the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) is to guide the City of Colorado Springs’ infrastructure investments, mitigate existing issues, and implement improvements to achieve a community-established vision for Shooks Run.

Key aspects of the plan include:

Private Redevelopment: The plan encourages private and non-profit sector participation in reinvestment and redevelopment along the corridor, advocating for adaptive and development-supportive application of the FMP and the accompanying Sustainable Infrastructure Plan (SIP).

Infrastructure Improvements: Addressing the need for updated transportation, drainage, and water quality components to improve environmental conditions and lay groundwork for enhanced parks, open spaces, and redevelopment.

Community Engagement: The plan is built upon a two-year community engagement effort, involving hundreds of residents through workshops, surveys, and an online platform. This process led to the selection of the “Transformative Corridor Theme”.

Corridor Theme: The chosen “Transformative Corridor Theme” aims to make Shooks Run a central part of the city, stimulate new uses, and connect parts of the corridor more closely to downtown. This includes enhancements in transportation, drainage and water quality, greenway, parks and trails, destination elements, land use recommendations, and economic vitality.

Greenway Vision: The overall vision is to establish a continuous “greenway” along the corridor from Fountain Creek to the Patty Jewett Golf Course, including enhanced park landscapes, amenities, and a grade-separated, multi-use trail. This greenway will complete the eastern leg of the Legacy Loop.

Corridor Segments: Conceptual plans have been prepared for five distinct segments: Confluence, Urban Canyon, Urban Waterway, Residential Greenway, and Headwaters.

Implementation: The improvements may span the next 50 years, with foundational infrastructure elements constructed first, followed by park and recreation improvements. Collaboration between City departments and the community is crucial for securing funding. The plan allows for amendments and updates based on evolving priorities.

Residential Greenway Segment Summary

The Residential Greenway segment, spanning approximately 1.4 miles, is characterized by its focus on neighborhood connectivity, wider bridge spans, and grade-separated multi-purpose trails. This segment aims to make Shooks Run a vital north-south connector for neighborhoods.

Key infrastructure improvements and characteristics in this segment include:

Channel Design: The segment will feature wider bridge spans, and in some locations, the stream channel will be raised. Prototypical channel designs include drop structures for desired gradients and naturalized retaining walls. The main trail will be at stream level in certain areas.

Bridge and Culvert Replacements: This involves replacing the Willamette bridge, the St. Vrain Street culvert/bridge with a new pedestrian/bike bridge and trailhead parking, the Boulder Street bridge, the Palmer High School culvert (with potential stream daylighting), the Platte Avenue bridge (with street elevation raised), the Bijou Street bridge with a new pedestrian/bike bridge, and the Kiowa Street and San Miguel Street bridges.

Greenway Expansion: There will be an expansion of the greenway near Palmer High School and Bijou Street.

Trail System: Installation of a multi-use and grade-separated trail along the Shooks Run channel.

Street-Level Connections: Many street crossing points will feature street-level connections to enhance access between neighborhoods and streets.

See the entire plan document below: