Colorado Springs MLS
by: Brian on June 18, 2008 15:01:56     Leave a comment »

Colorado Springs New Homes The Classical Academy ExpandsNews today that local charter school The Classical Academy is teaming up with Pikes Peak Community College to build a K-12 school on the college's northern campus in Colorado Springs. According to the Coloado Springs Business Journal Daily, the campus will be:

  • 81,000 square feet covering 9 acres
  • opening Fall 2009 according to current plans
  • beneficial to both TCA and PPCC, as the college will "be able to add 375 new classes to its Rampart Range campus"

The partnership will also create the opportunity for TCA students to "enroll in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program at PPCC," allowing the students to "take academic classes at PPCC and earn dual credit for both high school and college."

Furthermore, this campus will create more schooling opportunities for the families on the north end of town in new home neighborhoods like Flying Horse, Grey HawkWolf Ranch, Cordera, Cumbre Vista, Townes at Kettle Creek, and Wildwood Ridge/Wildwood at Northgate, which are all within minutes of the new campus's location. As part of the prestigious Academy School District 20, this new TCA campus will not only increase the education opportunities for folks in the area, it will also increase the value of homes in the area, as proximity to D-20 is often preferred or required criteria for home buyers in Colorado Springs.

Looking forward to watching this new campus unfold,

Brian Wilson

Image property of tcad20.org

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by: Brian on June 17, 2008 08:47:50     Leave a comment »

Thank you, Walter Netsch Jr., for gracing our landscape with an indelible symbol of beauty and strength. Thank you for providing a place of wonder and peace for our cadets, our community and its visitors. Thank you for your imagination, your ingenuity, and your brilliance.

Walter Netsch Jr., designer of the Air Force Academy's iconic Cadet Chapel, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2008, at his home in Chicago. He was 88.

colorado springs new homes honoring walter netsch jr colorado springs new homes honoring walter netsch jr

Photos: The Associated Press

Read The Gazette's story here.

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by: Brian on June 12, 2008 07:02:03     Leave a comment »

Colorado Springs District 20 Proposed Mill Levy OverrideI am familiar with Colorado Springs Academy School District 20.  My youngest son is in this system and, as a Realtor, I have found District 20 often comes up as a preferred or required home purchase criteria by my clients.

According to an April 29, 2008 letter on the Academy School District 20 website, the district is considering submitting a mill levy override measure to the November 4th ballot to bring up the District's per-pupil spending from $6,285 to $6,661, which is the state average.

On the face, this does not seem like an unreasonable request.  I suspect most district 20 taxpayers would not be against paying more in taxes in order to bring their per-pupil spending in line with the state average.  Purely from a financial point of view, all District 20 homeowners understand the value that district brings to their property value, so they all have a vested financial interest in maintaining a quality, highly-desired school district.

However, what is glaringly missing from District 20's request from its taxpapers is transparency.  Both district and taxpayers would benefit from another published letter from the district, but this time one with facts and figures and guarantees.  Here is what this taxpayer would like to see from Academy School District 20:

1) What is the average property assessed value in the district and what will the mill levy override mean in terms of an annual dollar increase for that average assessed value home?

2) Specifically, how much money will this generate?

3) Specifically, create a covenent with the taxpayers on how the money will be spent.  Show us by line or by percentage. Something like:   

                a) 35% - Increase in teacher salaries

                b) 17% - Adminstration expenses

                c) etc.

4) Then use your website to show how the money is being spent to confirm that the district will do as it says it will do and deserves the public trust.  In fact, add this commitment to our ballot measure... that the district will report on its website how the money is spent when it is spent.

The district may consider this transparency & accountability restrictive and cumbersome, but I believe accountability will set you free.  Try it, District 20.  I think you will find you will quickly earn the trust of your gracious patrons, the taxpayers, and when you again slip below the average, your request will be positively received.

Brian Wilson

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by: Brian on June 11, 2008 11:15:31     Leave a comment »

The Broadmoor is one of the highest-rated resorts in the United States, and we are fortunate it is located right here in Colorado Springs. For years The Broadmoor has played a significant role in our tourism economy, drawing vacationers and honeymooners and golfers and conference attendees to the city. Now, The 5-star resort looks to play an increased role within our local economy, as it is "launching nearly $55 million in improvements," according to The Gazette.

The improvements will include:

  • a makeover of The Broadmoor's west golf course
  • a facelift of its 150-room west building
  • and the construction of six new guest cottages

The cottages alone are a $22 million project and will be "stand-alone buildings that will house large families, corporate outings or golf groups who want to stay together." I will be excited to see these cottages when they are done!

The Broadmoor is located in the attractive southwest area of Colorado Springs. While there is very little new home construction due to the area's maturity and limited space, it still offers some of the finest living in the city. The southwest area is also home to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the World Arena, NORAD, and Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 -- one of the finest districts in the city. The expansion of The Broadmoor only looks to enhance the value of homes in this area.

colorado springs new homes the broadmoor grows

Above: Broadmoor Construction: Feb. 15, 1918 (Photo property of broadmoor.com)

Brian Wilson

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by: Brian on June 09, 2008 14:18:02     Leave a comment »

According to The Gazette, a man was arrested on Saturday night "on suspicion of stealing new appliances from homes being built in the Wolf Ranch subdivision north of Woodmen Road and Powers Boulevard."

While the appliances were stolen from unoccupied homes, this news serves as a reminder for us to take every precaution to maintain safety in our homes and neighborhoods; enforce your home with proper locks and security measures, and report suspicious activity when you see it.

colorado springs new homes wolf ranch appliance theft

Wolf Ranch is an extremely nice Colorado Springs New Homes neighborhood. Driving through it, one sees a bustling area filled with homes and townhomes featuring an appealing blend of unique elements including medieval-esque tower structures and country-esque garages that look like barn doors. These features may sound unusual to someone who has not seen them, but they blend together very well within each home's architecture and throughout the whole neighborhood.

Apparently, Wolf Ranch homes also feature some very desirable appliances.

Take care,

Brian Wilson

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