Local developer plans land donation, new road and parking lot near Manitou Incline

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Homeowners living near Ruxton Avenue are circulating a petition over a plan to donate 18 acres of land and create a new road and parking lot near the cog railway and Manitou Incline.

David Jenkins, founder of Nor'wood Development, sent a letter to the Manitou Springs mayor and city council proposing a donation of nearly 18 acres of land for open space and a new connecting road to tourist attractions like the Cog Railway, Manitou Incline and Barr Trail.

In his letter, Jenkins says a new road “would not only reduce traffic congestion on Ruxton Avenue, but also provide an emergency evacuation route, improve public safety and provide additional open space and trail connections for residents and visitors.”

However, several residents living near the development, near Pilot Knob Avenue, say a new road will not actually improve safety and, in fact, will do the opposite.

“Increasing the number of cars and roads in a community does not increase safety. It actually decreases it,” said Ila Quinn, a homeowner in Manitou.

“It's going to impact the neighborhood in ways that I'm not particularly looking forward to,” Blair Babcock told KRDO 13 Investigates.

Other neighbors have rejected the idea that it would reduce traffic, saying it would only bring more congestion and pollution to their neighborhood.

KRDO 13 Investigates obtained the results of an investigation commissioned by the Jenkins family regarding the land donation and proposed development and it shows that Pilot Knob neighbors are in the minority.

The results show that 238 of 300 Manitou Springs residents surveyed support the public space donation and the construction of a new access road. In the survey, 64 percent, or 191 residents, said the project, including additional parking, would make them more likely to support the donation and development.

Some residents aren’t convinced. Connie Brachtenbach told KRDO 13 Investigates that adding parking near the Cog Railway and Manitou Incline won’t solve congestion and parking issues in downtown Manitou Springs. “I think that would be a better solution. Bringing people into town on a shuttle, but allowing them to get an all-day pass; they can get on and off. They can travel right up to the city limits,” Brachtenbach said. “I think it would benefit everyone involved.” She added that those who use a proposed parking lot on the Incline will still have a hard time finding a spot where the majority of local businesses are located.

The Jenkins family is scheduled to make a full presentation on its donation and development project at Manitou Springs City Hall on July 16. City officials said the session will not be open to public comment.