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by: Brian on June 18, 2008 15:01:56 Leave a comment »
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 Hawk, Wolf 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 Meta DataSocial Bookmarks
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News today that local charter school The Classical Academy is teaming up with Pikes Peak Community College 
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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.
Photos: The Associated Press Read The Gazette's story here. Meta DataSocial Bookmarks
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by: Brian on June 13, 2008 07:17:48 2 comments »
As a Colorado Springs Realtor who specializes in Colorado Springs new homes, I cannot remmeber the last Colorado Springs new home neighborhood that did not have a homeowner's association. It seems like buying into a neighborhood with basic city covenants and a "live and let live" atmosphere is a thing of the past. Is this good or bad? I guess like most passionate issues, it depends on your perspective. I've had my share of letters from the HOA which always elicits shock and resentment, but then again, I knew the rules when I bought a home in the neighborhood. Being a big society "personal responsibility" advocate, I end up owning the complaint and remedying it. I am also somewhat of a libertarian at heart and believe that fundamentally people should have liberty to live as they like until their choices start crowding someone else's liberty to do the same. Aristotle wrote that "Reason is the mean between two extremes," so what does reasonable mean in this conflict? This issue became top of mind over the past 5-6 days when I looked out my front door to see a Griswold-esque mobile home obscuring my view of the cul-de-sac curb. It wasn't in my way. I could enter my driveway; I could turn around easily; I could still even play t-ball with my 5-year-old slugger. So why was this bothering me?
It was a huge cruiser in all its glory. It even had the wonderful hoses and extension cords running to it from its patron's home. All I could think of was the Griswold Christmas Vacation when Eddy and the family came to visit. It wasn't like the county assessor came out the next day to immediatley downgrade the value of all the homes in the neighborhood. The neighborhood would survive. When I think about it, I think what raised my ire was more superficial than anything else. The root of my contempt was fairness. I didn't like the fact that someone "thought they were above the rules" that the rest of us had to follow. I know my neighbor doesn't think this but it was an eye-opening personal realization. I wonder how many HOA disputes among Colorado Springs homeowners are caused not by actual problems but by perceived feelings of unfairness and disrespect. How many times had you been embarrased by your own anger or resentment after the source of your consternation innocently explained their behavior? Maybe more communication and less assumptions could solve more of these conflicts. Meta DataSocial Bookmarks
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Well, first of all it was ugly. No, this is not an actual picture because I do not want to hurt my neighbor's feelings... plus, he has teenage kids and I don't want to spend a Sunday cleaning toilet paper out of my yard.|
by: Brian on June 12, 2008 07:02:03 Leave a comment »
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 Meta DataSocial Bookmarks
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I 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.|
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:
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.
Above: Broadmoor Construction: Feb. 15, 1918 (Photo property of broadmoor.com) Brian Wilson Meta DataSocial Bookmarks
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