After three years of back-and-forth on how to revamp and expand municipal offices in Aspen, the local government is getting ready to review its own land-use application.
Last week, City Council approved nearly $2 million for architectural design and project management services. The work will go toward expanding what’s known as the Galena building, which is where the chamber of commerce currently is located and is attached to the parking garage.
Local resident Toni Kronberg told council there is confusion among members of the public as to what the city is actually building since the plans have changed so much over the past several months. She said she’s concerned that money is being spent before the public can weigh in on what the building’s size, design and impacts are.
Mayor Steve Skadron said this project is no different than what would be done in the private sector; it’s just that the city is acting as the developer.
“We’ve come up with a project that I am not that familiar with right now. Everyone said things have changed. It’s not on Galena Plaza anymore, it’s on the parking lot,” Kronberg told the council.
Skadron responded by saying, “It was never on Galena Plaza, Toni. Nothing was ever being built on Galena Plaza.”
“It rises above Galena Plaza … maybe that is the best way to put it. It rises above Galena Plaza,” Kronberg replied.
Then Skadron spelled out how the approval process happens.
“Toni, the land-use process is moving forward. It starts review at P&Z just like every building in town and the city is following the same procedure that the private sector follows.”
The city’s development team has submitted a land-use application, which the planning and zoning commission is scheduled to review on Jan. 3. It then heads to council and then back to P&Z for final approval.
In a work session tonight, council members are scheduled to discuss what services the building will house. Conceptual plans show that the building will be two levels and will house most departments. There are plans for more office space in two other buildings as well — the adjacent Rio Grande building and the armory, which is where City Hall is now located.
