After nearly five hours of public review, the Aspen City Council last night put off approving a new affordable lodge on Main Street. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason.
It’s called Base 2 and is connected with another affordable lodge across town called Base 1, which was approved by council earlier this year. Combined, they would house around 80 rooms that would be priced at $150 a night.
The biggest bone of contention that council has to consider is developer Mark Hunt’s request for a variance to the land use code that requires off-street parking. Council did allow Hunt to provide parking off-street from Base 1, which will be located at Cooper Avenue across from City Market.
Providing affordable lodging has been a community goal for decades in this resort community that has become too expensive for the average tourist to handle. Hunt reminded council members that the city first approached him to build the lodges instead of his plan for commercial retail buildings.
Mark Hunt: “I look at the reason we are here is that it was truly a collaboration of the public and private working together, myself and the city to truly try to work on something to come up with a solution.”
Similar to its counterpart, Base 2 would accommodate two commercial operations on the ground floor … a cafe and retail shop, as well as a rooftop space that would serve as a so-called “public amenity.”
Dozens of people spoke in favor of the project on Tuesday night, saying the Base lodges will bring back vitality to the ski resort because of their amenities and the price point will attract a younger crowd. They will also provide an affordable lodging option for family and friends visiting.
Council is expected to vote on the proposal this coming Monday. If approved, Hunt says he plans to have both lodges built by the end of 2016. Carolyn Sackariason, Aspen Public Radio news.