Where will the museum be located?

Based on the Site Analysis in the 2008 Feasibility Study, as well as on-going research within the community since then, PPCM leadership believes the ideal location would be in Downtown Colorado Springs, preferably easily visible from I-25, and immediately adjacent to America the Beautiful Park.  The primary benefits of being located here are:

Studies show that children’s museums thrive sooner and more consistently when located near dynamic outdoor green and play spaces.  America the Beautiful Park as it currently stands serves perfectly the needs of our children’s museum, with the added benefit of being already built.  As such, PPCM would not be burdened with having to raise the additional funding needed to build new green or play spaces.  

The City of Colorado Springs has already invested upwards of $11 million to add this amenity to downtown, but it is currently under-utilized.  PPCM can instantly add value and vitality to this resource, making the City’s investment even more valuable and treasured.  

By being across from America the Beautiful Park and Playground, PPCM will aid in attracting more people to events downtown, making better use of significant investment by the city.

In addition, Downtown Colorado Springs specifically offers the following benefits for PPCM:

• It is within 20 minutes easy driving distance from our primary markets.

• It offers ease of ingress and egress from I-25.

• Visibility from I-25.

• Not as subject to East/West mobility issues as other parts of town.

• Proximity to other family-oriented destinations such as Julie Penrose Fountain, Uncle Wilbur, highest concentration of other arts and cultural institutions.

• Broadest base of support and potential funding for PPCM.

• Better collaboration opportunities with other child-centered organizations.

Further, PPCM leaders are convinced Downtown Colorado Springs equally will derive the most benefit as a location if the children’s museum is located there.  The most salient of the benefits to downtown are:

Thirty-five percent of children's museums in the U.S. are flagships in downtown revitalization projects.  Taking a cue from the demonstrated success of other cities, PPCM aims to become a new “Crown Jewel” in the Downtown Colorado Springs landscape.  With all of our research and homework behind us, PPCM is ready to start raising money and get underway with building plans.  If Downtown Colorado Springs can contribute an appropriately-suited site for PPCM, we believe a much-needed anchor will be secured for Downtown, immediately triggering a domino effect for other urban renewal efforts in the area.

Securely anchoring Downtown as a welcoming place for families, PPCM can advocate for the area and entice development merely by its existence.  PPCM will contribute to the fabric of downtown and add significantly to the rich menu of signature events to engage families year round.  

PPCM has secured a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) from the Pikes Peak Library District (“PPLD”), formalizing their intent to add a new, roughly 15,000 square foot stand-alone Children’s Library which will co-locate with PPCM if PPCM is located downtown.  A new Children’s Library would be a tremendous asset for downtown Colorado Springs, which can only benefit from helping to make this intent by the PPLD a reality by helping PPCM come to fruition downtown.  

Acting as a “good neighbor,” PPCM looks forward to working in concert with the City of Colorado Springs, City Hall, the Downtown Partnership, the Urban Renewal Authority, Downtown Development Authority, and all other community leadership entities to complement and promote efforts that benefit the community and beautify the physical and experiential aesthetic of downtown Colorado Springs, expanding the heart of the Pikes Peak region.

PPCM can help generate significant revenue for the City by way of paid parking in a multi-use parking garage, should one be built to serve this redevelopment area.  

Currently there are no suitable locations in the area able to host large-scale “blockbuster” traveling children’s exhibits.  PPCM will be able to bring these destination exhibits to Colorado Springs working together with other local events, thus generating greater traffic and revenue for all involved.

PPCM can serve as a venue not only for children during the day, but also adults at night by hosting adult-related events, keeping Downtown Colorado Springs vibrant and alive well into the evening hours.

Given the substantial size of PPCM, it can serve as host, starting point and ending point for a broad spectrum of community-wide events throughout the year, regardless of the season or weather.

By providing “whole-child” experiences for young people, PPCM can contribute to the raising up of new visionaries, community leaders, engaged citizens, and passionate supporters of our community.