HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Memo_6.28.17MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Skadron and Aspen City Council
FROM: Jennifer Phelan, Deputy Planning Director
THRU: Jim True, City Attorney
RE: Status of Lift 1A study
DATE: June 28, 2017
I wanted to contact all of you with regard to the status of the Lift 1A study as I have
been contacted by the press and expect an article in the newspaper in the near future.
The city hired a 3rd party consultant to look at the feasibility of bringing the lift closer
to Dean Street to ensure that this option was vetted in light of the current
development proposal for the Gorsuch Haus. The scope involves evaluating
“potential lift configurations, and outlining regulatory, physical and operational
considerations.” The assessment includes investigating 1) the extension of the Lift
1A alignment proposed by Gorsuch Haus closer to Dean Street, 2) extending the
current alignment of the lift closer to Dean Street, 3) a surface lift from Dean to the
lift’s bottom terminal, and 4) an alternative alignment that could include using the
S. Aspen Street r-o-w, Willoughby park and adjacent properties, excluding the
Dolinsek property.
The consultant came up with four conceptual ideas which included lowering the lift
down the hill and/or bringing people up the hill to the lift. A stakeholders meeting
with Lift One Lodge, Gorsuch Haus, and SkiCo representatives was convened and
there was interest from the group on seeing some additional scenarios considered
and some more, extensive design provided. The consultant was asked to develop a
cost and time estimate for the expanded scope.
I have now received a cost estimate for the expanded scope and will be scheduling
another meeting with the stakeholders to get agreement on whether all or some of
the expanded scope should be undertaken by the consultant.