COLORADO SPRINGS – The Colorado Springs City Council voted unanimously to approve the acquisition of more than 340-acres of open space properties near the Cedar Heights and Oak Valley Ranch neighborhoods on Tuesday. Both properties are owned by Castle Concrete and the city is paying close to 9-million dollars for the parcels.
The Black Canyon Quarry, which is roughly 193-acres of property adjacent to Williams Canyon and located to the west of the Cedar Heights neighborhood and Garden of the Gods Park. The quarry has been closed since 2015 and reclamation is largely complete. From a regional perspective, this property offers future potential to provide trail access to the Pike National Forest’s Waldo Canyon area.
The city also said that in addition to these two properties, the 100-acre Pikeview Quarry could be acquired as a donation from Castle Concrete at a later date and on condition of state approval of physical reclamation and at the city’s sole discretion.
A statement from the city said the next step is a second reading at City Council on June 23rd,to approve funding the acquisitions. Also, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board will consider a proposed amendment to the Pikeview Quarry reclamation plan on June 24th. The acquisitions of the properties are contingent upon the approvals.
City officials said the land purchase will help preserve wildlife habitats and protect the area from future commercial development.
