$1 million White Acres purchase approved

A plan to dedicate White Acres as open space reached a major milestone Tuesday.

The City Council unanimously voted to authorize the purchase the 45-acre property on the west side of Colorado Springs.

The property is a prime piece of real estate that at one time was being considered for a residential housing development.

The "biggest benefit" of turning White Acres into open space is that it provides a connection between Red Rock Canyon and Section 16, a hiking area owned by the state, said Paul D. Butcher, director of the city's Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services.

"As a citizen, you get this nice, continuous publicly accessible trail route - or just a visual backdrop," he said.

The purchase price is $1 million, plus interest payments of nearly $53,000.

The property will be acquired in phases over four years.

In the first year, the city will contribute $25,000 of its TOPS money, and Friends of Red Rock Canyon is pitching in $75,000. The group told the council Tuesday that it has about $14,000 in commitments.

In other business, the council voted 4-3 to use eminent domain to acquire portions of three properties that are needed to widen Woodmen Road to six lanes from Interstate 25 east to Bell Drive.

Councilmen Tom Gallagher, Darryl Glenn and Scott Hente voted in opposition.

Councilwoman Jan Martin and Councilman Randy Purvis didn't vote. Mayor Lionel Rivera said they were "excused."