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AGENDA
ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
May 10, 2017
4:30 PM City Council Meeting Room
130 S Galena Street, Aspen
I. 12:00 SITE VISITS
A. None.
II. 4:30 INTRODUCTION
A. Roll call
B. Draft Minutes April 12, 2017
C. Public Comments
D. Commissioner member comments
E. Disclosure of conflict of interest (actual and apparent)
F. Project Monitoring
G. Staff comments
H. Certificate of No Negative Effect issued
I. Submit public notice for agenda items
J. Call-up reports
K. HPC typical proceedings
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. 500 W. Main- Conceptual Major Development, Conceptual Commercial Design
Review, Special Review and Variations, PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
FROM 4/26, AMENDED PROPOSAL WITHDRAWN
IV. 4:40 NEW BUSINESS
A. Aspen Pedestrian Mall- walking tour, then returning to City Council Meeting
Room for discussion
V. 6:15 EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Aspen Municipal Code 24-6-402(4)(b): Conference with attorney regarding
enforcement proceeding
VI. 7:00 ADJOURN
Next Resolution Number: 11
TYPICAL PROCEEDING- 1 HOUR, 10 MINUTES FOR MAJOR AGENDA ITEM, NEW
BUSINESS
Provide proof of legal notice (affidavit of notice for PH)
Staff presentation (5 minutes)
Board questions and clarifications (5 minutes)
Applicant presentation (20 minutes)
Board questions and clarifications (5 minutes)
Public comments (close public comment portion of hearing) (5 minutes)
Applicant Rebuttal
Chairperson identified the issues to be discussed (5 minutes)
HPC discussion (15 minutes)
Motion (5 minutes)
*Make sure the motion includes what criteria are met or not met.
No meeting of the HPC shall be called to order without a quorum consisting of at least four (4)
members being present. No meeting at which less than a quorum shall be present shall conduct
any business other than to continue the agenda items to a date certain. All actions shall require
the concurring vote of a simple majority, but in no event less than three (3) concurring votes of
the members of the commission then present and voting.
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ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF
APRIL 12, 2017
Vice Chair, Gretchen Greenwood brought the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. Commissioners in
attendance were Gretchen Greenwood, Jeffrey Halferty, Willis Pember, Nora Berko, John
Whipple, Bob Blaich, Richard Lai. Jim DeFrancia and Roger Moyer were absent.
Staff present:
Andrea Bryan, Assistant City Attorney
Amy Simon, Historic Preservation Planner
Justin Barker, Senior Planner
Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENT: There were none.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: There were none.
DISCLOSURES OF CONFLICT: There were none.
Mr. Halferty joined the meeting.
STAFF COMMENT: Justin Barker handed out printed copies of the Commercial Design
Guidelines, which replaced the old Commercial Guidelines that were previously in place. He
mentioned that they can also be found online. He thanked the board for their input.
CERTIFICATES OF NO NEGATIVE EFFECT: Ms. Simon issued a certificate for Louis Vuitton in the
Mill St. Plaza Building, next to JCrew. She said that on the side of the shop are windows that
are inoperable and want to replace with fixed windows. She stated that it looks exactly the
same so she signed off.
PROJECT MONITORING: 28 Smuggler Grove: Ms. Simon stated that this is a Victorian
Restoration, which they are making an addition to and building a new detached home all on
one lot together. There was a window change that did not have prior approval so that is the
focus of the discussion this evening. This is regarding a street facing and noticeable window.
Don Glenn was present speaking on the plans for the window. The change was regarding a 9 in
horizontal member in between the bottom windows and the top windows that was not on the
approved set of prints. Ms. Simon said that the house has a gable and both gable ends had
windows approved. On the rear façade, they wanted to put a header in and hide an inoperable
shade. They made the leap thinking they could also do this in the front and that’s where it got
caught up with her and Ms. Greenwood. She also stated that it would be nice to have shades
for some privacy. The windows should have all been mulled together, but instead have a
thicker horizontal head between them.
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II.B.
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ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF
APRIL 12, 2017
Ms. Berko asked if it is functional and Mr. Glenn said yes.
Ms. Greenwood stated that she didn’t have a problem with it all and she is fine with it.
Mr. Whipple said that he agreed with Ms. Greenwood.
Mr. Pember said that he thinks it looks awful as is and that it’s really miserable and needs to be
clad not in wood, but metal so it matches the window cladding. Ms. Greenwood agreed so that
it will look more like one unit.
Mr. Glenn said this can be easily done and to clarify, he said he will clad in painted metal to
match the bronze of the windows.
MOTION TO APPROVE by voice vote: All in favor, motion carried.
Ms. Simon stated that the next order of business was to continue 500 W Main. She said the
architects missed the deadline for posting and mailing. She said that they need a motion to
continue to April 26TH.
MOTION: Ms. Berko moved to continue, Mr. Blaich seconded. Voice Vote: all in favor, motion
carried.
CALL UP REPORTS: Ms. Simon said that Monday night in Council, the Bidwell/Red Onion
building was discussed and Council did not remand it to HPC so this project is done and they
can now apply for a building permit.
Ms. Berko mentioned that she saw in the paper that there are two positions open for the HPC
board. Ms. Simon said yes, they are Mr. DeFrancia and Mr. Whipple’s seats.
Mr. Whipple said he is thinking about reapplying to HPC, but is weighing things out and hasn’t
decided yet.
Ms. Simon stated that there are two project monitoring items to speak with Mr. Halferty and
Mr. Pember about after the meeting is adjourned.
Ms. Greenwood made a motion to adjourn at 4:47 pm.
________________________________
Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk
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II.B.
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II.B.
Aspen Pedestrian Mall
Narrative for HPC Memo
HPC Walking Tour: Wednesday, May 10th, 2017
NarrativeNarrativeNarrativeNarrative
Background:Background:Background:Background:
The Aspen Downtown Pedestrian Mall is now
celebrated and visited spot within Aspen, greatly contributing to our community’s sense of place. The Mall’s
groundbreaking urban design transformed our city st reets into a pedestrian have
recognized nationally for its historical and archit ectural significance. Locals and visitors alike treasure this iconic lands
of original brick walks, fountains, water courses, mature trees, and historic build
many the Mall may look great, there are underlying factors that have led the City to taking on this project .
· First, the Mall was constructed in 1976
Therefore, the utilities are 40+ years old at a minimum, resulting in deteriorating infrastructure that has reached
the end of its life. Unannounced breaks cause emergency repairs
visitors to the Mall.
· Second, the above grade surface of the existing brick pavers is showing its age too. Settling and/or heaving over
the years has created irregular surfaces which are often difficult to navigate
spots and creates ice damming in our climate’s freeze/ thaw cycles.
predates the 1990 American Disabilities Act, referred to as ADA compliance.
1
Narrative for HPC Memo
, 2017
now over f orty years old. Since that time, the Mall has matured into the most
celebrated and visited spot within Aspen, greatly contributing to our community’s sense of place. The Mall’s
groundbreaking urban design transformed our city st reets into a pedestrian haven of linear parks and plazas. Today, it is
recognized nationally for its historical and archit ectural significance. Locals and visitors alike treasure this iconic lands
of original brick walks, fountains, water courses, mature trees, and historic buildings and structures.
the Mall may look great, there are underlying factors that have led the City to taking on this project .
First, the Mall was constructed in 1976 right over the existing infrastructure, not to be
Therefore, the utilities are 40+ years old at a minimum, resulting in deteriorating infrastructure that has reached
the end of its life. Unannounced breaks cause emergency repairs and disruption to adjacent
Second, the above grade surface of the existing brick pavers is showing its age too. Settling and/or heaving over
irregular surfaces which are often difficult to navigate. Surface drainage collects in low
spots and creates ice damming in our climate’s freeze/ thaw cycles. Furthermore, the construction of the Mall
predates the 1990 American Disabilities Act, referred to as ADA compliance.
orty years old. Since that time, the Mall has matured into the most
celebrated and visited spot within Aspen, greatly contributing to our community’s sense of place. The Mall’s
n of linear parks and plazas. Today, it is
recognized nationally for its historical and archit ectural significance. Locals and visitors alike treasure this iconic landscape
ings and structures. However, while to
the Mall may look great, there are underlying factors that have led the City to taking on this project .
replaced and modernized.
Therefore, the utilities are 40+ years old at a minimum, resulting in deteriorating infrastructure that has reached
adjacent business owners and
Second, the above grade surface of the existing brick pavers is showing its age too. Settling and/or heaving over
. Surface drainage collects in low
Furthermore, the construction of the Mall
P4
IV.A.
Aspen Pedestrian Mall
Addressing these ongoing issues is one of City Council’s top ten goals. Specifically, the Vision is to develop a master plan
that guides redevelopment and the use of the pedest rian malls with a goal of maintaining and improving the pedestrian
experience. Last fall, the City select ed Design Workshop
technical experts that have been hired to examine improvements in a way that does not compromise the beloved
character of the Mall. In addition, the city has hired NV5 Inc., a p
design process, provide communication to all city departments and examine
W hile conversations are being had surrounding the expansion of
are here today to examine how the existing Mall can continue to thrive for the next generation of users, improve
business conditions for adjacent land uses and honor the vision put into place by Aspen’s community so many years a
The study boundary for this project is depicted on this plan.
Project GoalsProject GoalsProject GoalsProject Goals::::
2
issues is one of City Council’s top ten goals. Specifically, the Vision is to develop a master plan
that guides redevelopment and the use of the pedest rian malls with a goal of maintaining and improving the pedestrian
ed Design Workshop to lead the process with a team of advisory specialists
have been hired to examine improvements in a way that does not compromise the beloved
has hired NV5 Inc., a professional construction manager, to guide a phased
provide communication to all city departments and examine budget and cost control
hile conversations are being had surrounding the expansion of the Mall to additional streets, t
are here today to examine how the existing Mall can continue to thrive for the next generation of users, improve
business conditions for adjacent land uses and honor the vision put into place by Aspen’s community so many years a
The study boundary for this project is depicted on this plan.
issues is one of City Council’s top ten goals. Specifically, the Vision is to develop a master plan
that guides redevelopment and the use of the pedest rian malls with a goal of maintaining and improving the pedestrian
to lead the process with a team of advisory specialists and
have been hired to examine improvements in a way that does not compromise the beloved
rofessional construction manager, to guide a phased
budget and cost control measures.
, t hat is not this project. We
are here today to examine how the existing Mall can continue to thrive for the next generation of users, improve
business conditions for adjacent land uses and honor the vision put into place by Aspen’s community so many years ago.
P5
IV.A.
Aspen Pedestrian Mall
· Replace aging utilities to serve customer needs for the next 50 years.
· Increase mall accessibility to meet modern codes.
· Maintain historical integrity/character while upgrading infrastructure and access.
· Explore innovative ways to improve the stormwater infrastructure systems to further protect the Roaring Fork watershed.
· Retain the Malls as an urban park with a strong forestry program that promotes best practice
ScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule::::
At the highest level, the City anticipates the Project will unfold over five phases.
1. Phase 1 (Inventory and Analysis) – December 2016 to June 2017
We are in this phase now. The primary objective of Phase 1 is to establish a strong foundation from which future ideas
can build upon. This foundation includes information on physical conditions,
information and input from the community out
– this is about opening a dialogue and listening. This is why we are meeting with HPC today.
2. Phase 2 (Conceptual Planning/Design)
The primary objective of Phase 2 will be to take that foundation and develop three alternatives that achieves the goals
of the project. These alternatives will be presented in various forums, with the ultimate goal of creating a preferred
plan by the end of the year. The alternatives and preferred plan will be reviewed with the community, HPC and P&Z
and City Council with forums for input and comment gathering.
3. Phase 3 (Detailed Design) – First and second quarter of 2018
4. Phase 4 (Approval) - Third and fourth quarter of 2018
5. Phase 5 (Construction) - 2019 and 2020.
OutreachOutreachOutreachOutreach::::
Just as the Aspen Pedestrian Mall began as a citizen led effort with temporary Mall installations, this project will engage
Aspen’s community and review agencies in all phases of the project.
subsequent att achements, and includes outreach to the general public, stakeholder teams and
partners.
3
Replace aging utilities to serve customer needs for the next 50 years.
while upgrading infrastructure and access.
Explore innovative ways to improve the stormwater infrastructure systems to further protect the Roaring Fork watershed.
Retain the Malls as an urban park with a strong forestry program that promotes best practices for the continued health of the urban forest
At the highest level, the City anticipates the Project will unfold over five phases.
December 2016 to June 2017
The primary objective of Phase 1 is to establish a strong foundation from which future ideas
can build upon. This foundation includes information on physical conditions, historical analysis,
community outreach process. It is important to note that nothing has been put to paper
and listening. This is why we are meeting with HPC today.
Phase 2 (Conceptual Planning/Design) – June 2017 to December 2017
The primary objective of Phase 2 will be to take that foundation and develop three alternatives that achieves the goals
of the project. These alternatives will be presented in various forums, with the ultimate goal of creating a preferred
The alternatives and preferred plan will be reviewed with the community, HPC and P&Z
and City Council with forums for input and comment gathering.
First and second quarter of 2018
urth quarter of 2018
2019 and 2020.
Just as the Aspen Pedestrian Mall began as a citizen led effort with temporary Mall installations, this project will engage
Aspen’s community and review agencies in all phases of the project. Our robust public outreach to
achements, and includes outreach to the general public, stakeholder teams and
s for the continued health of the urban forest
The primary objective of Phase 1 is to establish a strong foundation from which future ideas
historical analysis, underground utility
. It is important to note that nothing has been put to paper
and listening. This is why we are meeting with HPC today.
The primary objective of Phase 2 will be to take that foundation and develop three alternatives that achieves the goals
of the project. These alternatives will be presented in various forums, with the ultimate goal of creating a preferred
The alternatives and preferred plan will be reviewed with the community, HPC and P&Z
Just as the Aspen Pedestrian Mall began as a citizen led effort with temporary Mall installations, this project will engage
Our robust public outreach to-date is detailed in
our City of Aspen
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IV.A.
SITE ANALYSIS BOOKP7 IV.A.
2 | Site AnalysisP8 IV.A.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
CONTRIBUTORS
DESIGN WORKSHOP
MUNDUS BISHOP
HINES IRRIGATION
SHERWOOD ENGINEERS
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
ASPEN TREE SERVICE
CLANTON & ASSOCIATES
PR STUDIO
INTRODUCTION
ASPEN AREA + COMMERCIAL CORE
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT + STUDY AREA
HISTORY
HISTORICAL PROSPECTUS + TIMELINE
HISTORICAL INVENTORY + ANALYSIS
LAND USE + OWNERSHIP
LAND USE
ADJACENT HISTORIC BUILDINGS
PROPERTY SURVEY KEY
DEVELOPMENT ON MALL
BUSINESS INVENTORY - COOPER + HYMAN
EMERGENCY ACCESS
HYMAN AVENUE BLOCK FACE
COOPER AVENUE BLOCK FACE
URBAN TYPOLOGY SECTIONS
PROGRAMMING, PLACEMAKING,
+ OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
POWER OF 10
EXISTING PLACEMAKING ACTIVATION
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
GROUNDPLANE + FURNISHINGS
BRICKS ON THE MALL
GROUND TYPE INVENTORY
SITE FURNISHINGS
FOUNTAINS
FIRE HEARTH, KIOSK, + RESTROOM
ART + SCULPTURES
WAGNER PARK PLAYGROUND
LIGHTING INVENTORY + ANALYSIS
TREE SPECIES INVENTORY
TREE HEALTH INVENTORY
STORMWATER + UTILITIES
STORMWATER METHODOLOGY
WATER QUALITY TREATMENT
STORMWATER DISTRICT
PRECEDENTS + CONCEPTS
SNOWMELT
HUMAN COMFORT
ACCESSIBILITY
SLOPE ANALYSIS
SUN/SHADEP9 IV.A.
4 | Site Analysis
DILEMMA PROJECT GOALSCOUNCIL TOP TEN
The Aspen Pedestrian Mall is over forty years
old and portions of the underground utility
infrastructure haven’t been upgraded in over
sixty years. The brick pavers have settled and
heaved over the years and are out of ADA
compliance. Most of the Mall trees are reaching
maturity and their size and confined growing
space creates challenges for their urban forestry
management.
Addressing these problems on the Mall is one
of City Council’s top ten goals. Upgrading the
utilities, renovating the Mall’s surface, creating
a healthy urban forest and invigorating the
environment are top priorities.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Be one of the most beautiful locations in Aspen.
Have the same feel but will have sustainable
infrastructure above and below ground.
Continue to have vitality and positive experience
for residents and guests of Aspen.
Identify downtown Aspen and contribute to its
world class resort destination.
Continue to feel like a natural park in the middle
of the City.
Function in a fashion that creates an energetic
area people will plan trips to see that has minimal
maintenance and costs for the city in the future.
Serve our citizens, visitors and businesses for
many years to come.
Be on time and budget, delivering all project
goals.
Be the centerpiece for Aspen activity in all
areas and continue the vibrancy and community
character.
Be a fun, safe, vibrant space (with diverse
businesses) that reflects Aspen’s small mountain
character.
#9: Develop a master plan that guides
redevelopment and the use of the pedestrian
malls with a goal of maintaining and improving
the pedestrian experience.
The City of Aspen identified these mechanisms
to implement Council’s goal:
1. City staff has engaged in the beginning
process of developing an overall design and plan
that guides necessary future improvements to
the underground utility, surface, vegetated and
historical character infrastructure within the
Downtown Pedestrian Mall.
2. An inconsistent and aging underground
utility infrastructure exists within the 3 blocks
of Aspen’s downtown core, much of the utility
infrastructure predates 1973. Significant utility
upgrades are necessary to anticipate the next
50 years in downtown Aspen, which creates
major challenge to achieve those upgrades
while preserving the underlying character,
historic integrity, and business within the Mall
for following generations to use and enjoy.
Proposed adjacent building construction projects
mean that the timing is such that Mall utility and
surface improvements must be coordinated
with these adjacent separate building projects.
3. Staff anticipates the design and construction
process will be performed in 5 phases. During
all these phases an extensive public outreach
to the community will occur and staff will
bring options to council for approval at the
various milestones. From now until end of 2017
phases 1 and 2 are anticipated. Phase 1 will be
determining what is in the ground and Phase 2
is conceptual planning and design. Anticipated
in 2018 Phase 3 and Phase 4 are set to further
refine the design. Phase 5 will be construction
which is currently anticipated for 2019 and 2020.
4. Staff has hired a professional construction
manager via council resolution in October. NV5
Inc. is being brought on to help guide the phased
design process, outreach process, budget and
1. Preserve the Mall for future generations
2. Maintain historic character
3. Upgrade utilities
4. Improve stormater quality attributes
5. Encourage retail vitality
6. Encourage pedestrian vitality
7. Maintain and enhance park-like character
8. Address ADA accessibility
9. Engage the public and business owners in
every phase of the project.
cost control, and overall direction leading to the
success and meeting the goals of the project.
5. Staff has finalized a contract with Design
Workshop, a well-known and well-respected
local design firm with national recognition that
has great experience in successful civil and
landscape projects.
6. The goals of the upcoming design are a
combination of retaining the historic “character
of the mall”, increasing the accessibility to meet
modern code, maintaining and updating all the
infrastructure, and meeting the storm water
code requirements.
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5
WHEN COMPLETE, THE PEDESTRIAN MALL WILL...P11IV.A.
6 | Site Analysis
ASPEN AREA
“We are committed to revitalizing and
sustaining the Aspen Idea. The Aspen Idea is a
legacy that has established Aspen as a place to
cultivate lifelong education, civic engagement,
physical health, personal responsibility,
spiritual development and an environmental
consciousness.” - Aspen Area Community Plan
The Aspen Pedestrian Mall came to be as a bold
idea from Aspen’s citizens. By removing vehicles
from a section of the core, citizens were intent
on developing a place to encourage authentic
engagement with others. The Aspen Idea is a
core value of the Mall. It strongly supports the
Aspen Area Community Plan by:
• Preserving Aspen’s historical roots
• Encouraging collaboration between non-
profit organizations, local government, local
businesses and individuals through place
making
• Fostering experiences for community
residents and visitors through events and a
range of activities
Opportunities to further support the Aspen Area
Community Plan include:
• Maintain our community character and
quality of life.
• Protect the natural ecosystems and scenic
settings of mountains and rivers.
• Increase focus on environmental
stewardship.
• Reevaluate the impacts of development on
community character and quality of life.
• Manage the adverse impacts of
development.
Aspen is a city nestled in wilderness, parks,
open space and trails. As an urban park, the Mall
is a major component of this overall system.
URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY
ASPE
N
C
I
T
Y
L
I
M
I
T
S
HIGHWAY 82 RIO
GRANDE
TRA
IL
OPEN SPACE
TRAILS
ROARING FORK RIVER
WHEELER TRANSIT
PAEPCKE PARK
RIO GRANDE PARK
STUDY BOUNDARY
YELLOW BRICK PARK
GLORY HOLE PARK
SHADOW MOUNTAIN
ASPEN MOUNTAIN
RUBEY PARK TRANSITP12
IV.A.
7
COMMERCIAL CORE
E MAIN STE MAIN ST
E BLEEKER ST
E COOPER AVEE COOPER AVE
E DURANT AVES GALENA STS MONARCH STS ASPEN STS MILL ST.E HYMAN AVEE HYMAN AVE
E HOPKINS AVEE HOPKINS AVE
“The heart of Aspen centers around the
Commercial Core Historic District. It is the
first area that developed in the early mining
days of the town and its character reflects this
rich mining heritage, which is the image that
many carry with them of this historic Colorado
mountain town.” - Commercial Core Historic
District Design Objectives and Guidelines.
The Mall is contained within the Commercial
Core Historic District. It is reflective of the
historic street pattern and continues to anchor
Aspen’s traditional urban fabric.
From the Commercial Core’s Historic Design
Guidelines, development on the Mall will be
encourage to:
• Maintain a retail orientation to promote
pedestrian character
• Develop contemporary designs that
respects historic context
• Maintain the traditional scale of building
• Reflect the variety of building heights seen
historically
• Accommodate outdoor public spaces
• Promote variety in the street level experience
• Preserve the integrity of historic resources
Commercial Core
Parks
Structures
Urban Growth Boundary
City Boundary
Water
Open Space
Trails
LEGEND
Study Boundary
ROARING FORK RIVER
COMMERCIAL CORE
P13IV.A.
8 | Site Analysis
“Like the ski runs that slope steeply skyward
from the edge of town with a commanding
presence, it feels as though they’ve been here
forever, ingrained in a landscape where little
else is constant. It is difficult to imagine Aspen
without them, so central are they to the town’s
ebb and flow. If skiing is the soul of Aspen, then
its downtown pedestrian malls are the town’s
heart - the one place visitors and locals alike,
from all walks of life, are sure to tread.” - Janet
Urquhart, Aspen Times Weekly, July 28, 2011
The Aspen Pedestrian Mall is a hub of linkages
to key retail land uses, parks and open space,
transit, lodging and other City amenities.
The neighborhood character is described as
having:
• Two and three story buildings
• A mix of historic Victorian and miner’s
cottage style buildings
• Buildings which front other public amenity
space
• Materials of brick, stone and wood
• Street trees set within architectural grates
The Mill Street connection is a major north-
south transect from Aspen Mountain (skiing,
hiking and slope-side dining) to the Roaring Fork
River (Rio Grande Park, John Denver Sanctuary
and Rio Grande Trail).
Views to Red Mountain and Aspen Mountain are
integral to its neighborhood context. With the
maturity of the Mall’s trees, views have changed
since the Mall’s construction. Some feel these
views could be strengthened.
The Mall has a north-south edge connection
with Wagner Park. This edge becomes a
viewing platform for the park’s various activities
and events. It is important to visually encourage
this edge conditions.
NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER
RIO GRANDE BALL FIELD
ROARING FORK RIVER
LIBRARYHOTEL
SHOPPING &
RESTAURANTS
WATER PLAY
THE GROVE
PLAZA
HOTEL HOTEL RED MOUNTAIN VIEWSASPEN MOUNTAIN VIEWSE MAIN ST
E BLEEKER ST
E COOPER AVEE COOPER AVE
E DURANT AVE
ASPEN MOUNTAIN S GALENA STS MONARCH STS ASPEN STS MILL ST.E HYMAN AVEE HYMAN AVE
E HOPKINS AVEE HOPKINS AVE
WAGNER
PARK
PLAY
GLORY HOLE PARK
SHOPPING &
RESTAURANTS
TRANSIT
SILVER CIRCLEPARK EDGEP14IV.A.
9
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’
TOTAL: 144,214 SF
STUDY AREA
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CEN-P15IV.A.
10 | Site AnalysisP16 IV.A.
11
HISTORICAL PROSPECTUSP17 IV.A.
12 | Site Analysis
Dowtown Pedestrian Mall Nick DeWolf Foundation, Summer 1980
INTRODUCTION
Over the course of 40 plus years, the Downtown Pedestrian Mall
(the Mall) has matured into the most celebrated and visited spot
within Aspen, greatly contributing to the city’s sense of place. The
Mall’s groundbreaking urban design transformed city streets into a
pedestrian haven of linear parks and plazas. Today, it is recognized
nationally for its historical and architectural significance. Locals
and visitors alike treasure this iconic landscape of original brick
walks, fountains, water courses, mature trees, and historic
buildings and structures.
The purpose of this historical prospectus is to present the Mall’s
early development to describe the original design and intent, and
to understand subsequent changes over time. Integral to this is
analyzing the extent to which the Mall retains historic features
and qualities that contribute to its significance. It also considers
the values the community places on the Mall. Most importantly,
this prospectus provides guidance in ensuring the Mall’s longevity
as an integral part of Aspen’s downtown and overall character.
This prospectus is conducted in accordance with nationally
recognized standards for cultural landscapes, including the
Secretary of Interior Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic
Buildings and for the Treatment of Historic Landscapes, City of
Aspen Historic Preservation Guidelines, and the National Park
Service’s Guide to Cultural Landscapes.
This work builds upon readily available information from local
and regional archives, and on current research including the draft
NRHP nomination for the Mall. This work assumes the Mall is
historically and architecturally significant, as it is not currently
historically designated but has been deemed eligible.
ORGANIZATION
The prospectus is presented in three sections.
• Chronology documents the Mall’s original design and
installation, along with early design changes and subsequent
modifications.
• Analysis provides baseline documentation of the Mall today
and in comparison to 1976, the year it was built. Those
physical features and qualities that combine to create the
character of the Mall, from spatial organization to vegetation,
are analyzed for architectural and historical integrity.
• Principles and Guidance provides criteria and guidance on
improvements to the Mall that respect its integrity and that
also address contemporary needs and issues.
HISTORICAL PROSPECTUS
P18IV.A.
13
Aspen Historical Society, 1885.
Aspen Historical Society, 1887.
COOPER AVENUE, 1885
TOP RIGHT
COOPER AVENUE, 1885 BOTTOM RIGHT
CHRONOLOGY
P19IV.A.
14 | Site Analysis
First U.S. pedestrian mall opens
Margo Dick and Kathy
Dutcher petition for creation of
pedestrian mall
Temporary mall
Mall construction starts
Boulder’s Pearl
Street Mall
dedicated
The Dancing Fountain
inauguration
Lawrence Halprin completes
the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis
Hyman Avenue in the
early 1970s
1959 1967 1972
1973
1976
1977
1960 1970 1980
1979
Cooper Avenue prior to the
Mall
Need Original
Mill Street prior to the Mall
Mall model
Need Original
Need Original
1966
Aspen opens temporary mall as
10 day experiment
Ki Davis Sculpture
commissioned
1974
Need Original
CHRONOLOGY
P20IV.A.
15
16th Street Mall opens
in Denver
1982
Downtown Enhancement & Pedestrian
Plan recommendations include
expanding sidewalks into commercial
core
The City of Aspen Civic Master
Plan recommends revisiting the
Downtown Enhancement &
Pedestrian Plan
Information kiosk, fire hearth,
restrooms, and Sister Cities
Plaza and Clock Tower
Economic Sustainability
Study recommends
efforts to enliven the
Mall
Aspen Mall with Wheeler
Opera House in background
2006
2003
2001
19971985
1990 2000 2010
Need Original
Photo Credits: Aspen Historical Society, Denver Public Library, Nick DeWolf Foundation, Mundus Bishop.
TIMELINE
P21IV.A.
16 | Site Analysis
DATE EVENT SOURCE
1962
November 1962 - Master Plan process underway with Peter
Lest Wiener, prominent international architect and urban
planner based in New York (fired in 1964)
NRHP nomination,
2017
1966
10-day temporary mall experiment on a block of Cooper
Avenue (also part of today’s pedestrian Mall) the City closed
off the street
• Flowers, trees, art, and benches were temporarily
installed and musicians, theatre productions, and
fashion shows entertained visitors.
Clauson research
notes 1961
1970 Public Mall Act of 1970 NRHP nomination,
2017
1972
August 1972 - Central district parking and transportation plan
(Robert Leigh, Alan Voorhees Company)
• Recommended introduction of full and partial pedestrian
malls in downtown Aspen
August 1972 - Margo Dick and Kathy Dutcher, recent high
school graduates, circulated a referendum petition for an
ordinance for a permanent pedestrian mall
November 1972 - Interim street closure plan with complete
closure of some streets (Hyman and Cooper Avenues
between Mill and Galena streets) and partial closure of
others (portion of Mill Street adjacent to Wagner Park)
NRHP nomination,
2017
1973
March 1973 - City Council approves temporary mall
installation for June 1973
March 29, 1973 - ‘Interim Mall Proposal’ published in Aspen
Times for pedestrian mall in same location as built in 1976
NRHP nomination,
1976
1975
Master Plan (is this available)
Existing Condition Plats by Survey Engineers, Inc. of Aspen
Local architects Robin Molny, Fritz Benedict, and University
of Kansas professor, Curtis Bessinger consulted
NRHP nomination
1976 Mall Construction
1976 Drawings,
NRHP nomination,
2017
Designed by Robin Molny, Fritz Benedict, and University of
Kansas professor, Curtis Bessinger
Budget of $1,196,900 set for mall construction ($850,000
bond issue and $346,000 City sources)
Citizen donations included donations for trees and benches
NRHP nomination,
2017
1976 Mall Storm Sewer Plan, Gingery Associates Inc.,
Glenwood Springs
March 1976 - Design Development (A Drawings) Drawings
issued for Architecture (site improvements) and Landscape
(planting)
Drawings included full Galena Street development to Hyman
Avenue and Cooper Avenue East to Hunter Street.
1976 Drawings
DATE EVENT SOURCE
April 1976 - Drawings Re-issued (also design development)
included modified design for Independence Plaza
July 1976 - Drawings Issued for modified design for Galena
Hyman Node, documented on new sheets A15 and A16,
replacing sheets A7
September 1976 - Antique Lights, public restrooms and
children’s play structure installed. Headgate installed at Glory
Hole Park to divert water to Mall from Roaring Fork River
October 2, 1976 - Mall dedicated with ceremony
1976 Drawings
Construction: Mill Street including storm drain inlet (future
DeWolf Fountain); Galena Street; Hyman Street with
Hyman / Galena Node with fountain (base for future Ki Davis
Fountain), Hyman Avenue, Cooper Avenue, Wheeler Node,
Wagner Node, Independence Plaza, Antique lights (noted on
drawings)
1976 Drawings,
NRHP nomination,
2017
1979
Dancing Fountain by DeWolf-Fulton Fountain completed
by local sculptor Travis Fulton and Nick DeWolf, computer
expert
Fountain placed beneath existing storm water drain within
existing vault (1976)
NRHP nomination,
2017
Ki Davis Memorial Sculpture ‘Interplay’ commissioned
Sculpture and foundation placed in existing fountain (built
1976)
Plaque on Fountain,
City of Aspen photo,
1995.028.07000
1985.jpg AHS
Spring, Summer 1979 - Replanting of trees on Hyman and
Cooper Avenues
Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
1980 Memorial Day 1980 - Inauguration of Dancing Fountain. “It’s
not a fountain, it’s a symphony”. DeWolf
NRHP nomination,
2017, Clauson
research (quote)
1984 1984 to early 1990s - Removal of original ‘low level lights’Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
Mid-1980s Flower gates installed at tree wells Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
1994 Cooper Street irrigation repair Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
early
2000s
Cobble patches
Photographs indicate one on Hyman Avenue (1979)
Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
2001 to
2002
Wagner Node improvements including Sister Cities Plaza,
Public Restroom, Monolithic Playground
designed by Willis Pember Architects, Suzannah Reid,
C.O.R.E., Ajax Design, KL&A Engineers, Beaudin Ganze
Consulting Engineers, Roaring Fork Builders.
Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
2002 to
2005
Mall Lighting including Cooper Avenue nighttime lighting,
Downtown Lighting Master Plan (BCER); Mockup ‘Beacon’
Lights at Red Onion;
Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
2004 to
2009
The Dwell Project: master plan; community fire hearth
(Dunnett Design); information kiosk (Willis Pember);
seasonal events kiosk; moveable tables and chairs (Brixey)
Mall Updates Log,
City of Aspen Parks
CHRONOLOGY
CHRONOLOGY
This section presents the evolution of the
Mall from its earliest inception as an idea and
temporary mall, to its original design and 1976
construction, through early modifications and
to present-day. The chronology is presented
as an illustrative timeline noting general high
points including construction, and as a written
chronology with more detailed information on
major milestones.
The four major milestones are: Pre Construction
(1950s to early 1970s Mall Ideas); Original
Construction (1976); Early Modifications (mid-
1970s to early 1980s); 2000s Modifications; and
Present-Day. For each milestone, a summary of
the ideas and improvements or modifications
associated with the milestone is included
along with supporting images and plans where
available.
The chronology is important to the analysis
of the Mall, as it documents those features
and qualities that were built, when they were
built, and when modifications occurred. This
is instrumental in assessing historical and
architectural integrity. P22IV.A.
17
HYMAN AVENUE MALL, 1978
LEFT
MILL STREET, 1963
TOP RIGHT
TEMPORARY MALL , 1974BOTTOM RIGHT
Aspen Historical Society, 1974
Aspen Historical Society, 1963
Aspen Historical Society, 1978P23 IV.A.
18 | Site Analysis
N
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
PRE-CONSTRUCTION 1960S PLANNINGPRE-C0NSTRUCTION
AERIAL, 1979
LEFT
PRECONSTRUCTION - 1960 TO 1976
Post World War II, Aspen began to evolve as a recreational
and scenic destination attracting new residents and
tourism. By the mid-1950s as many of the town’s late 19th
century buildings were repaired and the downtown was
emerging, city leaders and community members began
planning for Aspen’s future. As early as 1955, ideas for
a central pedestrian outdoor mall were being explored to
shape the downtown. The 1955 Design Conference at the
Aspen Institute with pioneering architect Victor Gruen,
and the June 1956 joint work of the Aspen Chamber of
Commerce and University of Utah architecture students
both explored innovative ideas for a mall with landscaping
and amenities.
In May 1961 during the Future of Aspen seminar hosted
by the Aspen Institute, local leaders joined with moderator
James Hopkins Smith and architecture professor Fred
Edmundson of Cornell University in which one key aspect
was to explore closing a street for pedestrian use. In June
1961 architect Richard Lai presented the concept of an
outdoor experimental mall to city council. He proposed
closing either Hyman or Cooper avenues between Mill
and Galena Streets, either would be good pedestrian
spaces as they were active retail and restaurant-oriented
streets. Vehicular traffic would be blocked and plantings
and amenities added. Over the course of just four days
in August 1961, the first temporary pedestrian mall was
installed along Cooper Avenue. Graveled walks, trees,
shrubs, benches, art pieces and a bandstand were built
through the efforts of volunteers and city and county
crews. The 10-day event “became a truly focal point for the
town, providing visitors and residents with a restful block-
long garden retreat. The paintings, sculptures, sidewalk
cafes and periodic entertainment added stimulation.”1
1 Aspen Times editorial (1 September 1961, p. 4)P24IV.A.
19
AERIAL, 1979
LEFT
Aspen Historical Society, 1974
1973 TEMPORARY MALL
BOTTOM RIGHT
.
Denver Public Library, 1966
1966 TEMPORARY MALL
TOP RIGHT
As the town and elected officials moved forward
with city planning, the concept of a permanent
pedestrian mall remained at the forefront.
Prominent international architect and urban
planner Paul Lester Wiener (November 1962
to July 1964) recommended a regional master
plan with a pedestrian mall on Monarch Street
from Main Street to Aspen Mountain along with
suggestions for a civic center, and new traffic
patterns and commercial areas. His plan was not
embraced by the community; however, the city
moved forward with paving previously graveled
streets (27) and installing a storm sewer system.
For several days in July 1966 the second
temporary pedestrian mall was implemented
along Cooper Avenue. As in the first, this
installation was through the efforts of volunteers.
Plantings, amenities, performances and special
events again attracted visitors and residents. A
third temporary pedestrian mall along Cooper
Avenue was installed in June 1972, between
Mill and Hunter streets. A central district parking
and transportation plan, completed by August
1972, presented a system of pedestrian malls
supported by new parking areas, revised traffic
patterns, and shuttles. The Committee for an
Aspen Mall, headed by two recent high school
graduates, formed at this time and initiated
a referendum petition. Funding and planning
hurdles, along with resolution of issues related
to the Public Mall Act of 1970, slowed the
momentum of a permanent mall but resulted
in a fourth temporary mall to coincide with the
1973 International Design Conference. Plans for
this installation were for the same streets where
the permanent mall would eventually be built a
few years later.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION 1960S PLANNING
P25IV.A.
20 | Site Analysis
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION - 1976
N
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION - 1976
Following the success of the 1973 temporary installation, master
planning for the permanent mall commenced. Aspen architects,
Fritz Benedict and Robyn Molny along with Curtis Besinger,
professor of architecture at the University of Kansas were
commissioned to consult on the plan. Eventually, Robyn Molny
became the project’s primary architect. The three architects
shared a design connection through their work with Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Taliesin studio, where Molny apprenticed and Benedict
and Besinger practiced until the mid-1950s. They each opened
their own individual practices in Aspen later.
Molny’s design encompassed Cooper and Hyman avenues
between Mill and Galena streets, and Mill and Galena streets
between Hyman Avenue and the alley south of Cooper Avenue.
Final plans were issued in April, May and July 1976. The three
issues noted design changes being made as the project was
being constructed. Changes included accommodating utilities
by eliminating trees for the installation of vaults on both Mill and
Galena streets. A substantial change between the original design
and implementation was the elimination of the Hyman Node
where Galena Street was to become a pedestrian mall (between
Cooper and Hyman avenues). A large fountain was intended
for the center of this space. The substantial change was the
elimination of the planned expansion along Cooper Avenue,.
The implemented design was a distinctive grid of linear pedestrian
spaces formed by the downtown street grid, which they replaced.
Molny used a consistent vocabulary of forms and materials
to ensure the spaces were cohesive to one another. Most
characteristic was a consistent ground plane of brick paving that
extended throughout in similar repetitive patterns. This continuity,
along with the linear built edge of multi-storied buildings, gave the
spaces a very distinctive spatial characte
AERIAL, 1987
LEFTP26
IV.A.
21
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION - 1976
BRICK PAVING, 1976
TOP RIGHT
BRICK PAVING - HYMAN AVENUE MALL
BOTTOM RIGHT
Aspen Historical Society, 1976
Aspen Historical Society, 1976
The repetition of three simple spatial patterns, one for east west
streets, another for north south streets, and one for intersections
or ‘nodes,’ extended throughout. In addition to brick paving, Molny
introduced a simple uniform palette of features, integrated with
the paving brick patterns. Brick gutters, rolled curbs, tree wells,
and bridges reinforced the unified aesthetic and helped defined
each space. Wood benches and wood bollard lights provided
needed amenities and antique lights and two fountains at the
major intersections complemented these. Long linear channels
characterized the east west streets with filled with water diverted
from the Roaring fork River through a headgate installed for this
purpose at Glory Hole Park.
Construction commenced in spring of 1976, with bricklaying
beginning in early July 1976. Records indicate that 315,000
bricks were used, sourced primarily by two historic Midwest
manufacturing plants. ‘Culver Block,’ manufactured by Wabash
Clay Company in St. Louis, Missouri and famous for being the
brick of the 1909 Indianapolis Motor Speedway (‘The Brickyard’)
was one. The other, branded as the ‘Egyptian’ paving brick
and manufactured by Murphysboro Paving Company in Illinois
between 1908 and 1936, was the other. It was originally used
as street paving due to its durability. Two discrete patterns were
installed, a running bond followed the linear streets and avenues,
and a grid created out of two colors of brick oriented at a 45-degree
angle defined the ‘nodes.’
Original construction drawings indicated tree bosquets on Mill and
Galena streets with silver maple trees on Mill and crabapple trees
on Galena. A linear pattern of narrowleaf cottonwoods (shade
trees), interspersed with quaking aspen, pinyon pine and blue
spruce and a groundcover of sod, was intended along Cooper and
Hyman avenues. Annuals were noted but were not shown on the
drawings. A few trees existed prior to the development of mall,
located primarily along previous curb edges as street trees. These
were generally green ash trees.
Construction was generally complete by October 2, 1976, when
the new pedestrian mall was dedicated and the mall opened to
the public. P27IV.A.
22 | Site Analysis
HYMAN AVENUE MALL
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
COOPER AVENUE MALLORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
P28IV.A.
23
Mundus Bishop, 2017
WAGNER NODE BOTTOM RIGHT
INDEPENDENCE NODETOP RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
LEFT
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION - 1976
P29IV.A.
24 | Site Analysis
MILL STREET MALLORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
N scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION - 1976
GALENA STREET MALLORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION P30IV.A.
25
Aspen Historical Society, 1979
Aspen Historical Society, 1984
WHEELER NODE LEFT
INDEPENDENCE NODE
TOP RIGHT
WHEELER NODE BOTTOM RIGHT
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION - 1976
P31IV.A.
26 | Site Analysis
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1977
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1977
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1978
HYMAN AVENUE MALL, 1977
TOP RIGHT
HYMAN AVENUE MALL, 1978
LEFT
ORIGINAL CONDITION
BOTTOM RIGHT
Design Development (L Drawings), April 1976
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
BOTTOM LEFTP32
IV.A.
27
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1978
Nick DeWolf Foundation, Spring 1978
Nick DeWolf Foundation, Spring 1978
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
HYMAN AVENUE MALL, 1978
BOTTOM RIGHT
PLANTING
LEFT
P33IV.A.
28 | Site Analysis
N
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
MODIFICATIONS - 1976 TO 1980
MODIFICATIONS - 1976 TO 1980
Modifications to the pedestrian mall continued
through the next few years. These included
changes in plantings, and a major movement
to integrate art installations with the mall. All
were accomplished within the framework of the
original design, generally through modifications
to features built during the original 1976
construction.
Aerial photographs and site images from the late
1970s / early 1980s indicate a planting pattern
and mix of species along Hyman and Cooper
avenues that differs from the 1976 design
drawings. Instead of a linear planting of primarily
narrowleaf cottonwoods interspersed with other
species, tree plantings were a mixture of these
same species in a somewhat more informal
pattern.
The integration of public art and amenities was a
philosophy from the earliest ideas for the outdoor
pedestrian mall, and implemented in each of
the temporary malls. The 1976 construction
included a fountain at the east end of Hyman
Avenue, characterized by a sloped brick edge
and two simple water jets. In 1979, Interplay
was added to the fountain, designed by sculptor
Ki Davis.
The same year, computer expert Nick DeWolf
and sculptor Travis Fulton designed and installed
the Dancing Fountain for the Wheeler Node
at the intersection of Mill Street with Hyman
Avenue. They repurposed the existing storm
sewer vault, adding a water source and computer
controls to create an interactive water feature
with jets of water bursting out of the flush grate
into the air in random patterns. The fountain was
inaugurated in 1980.
AERIAL, 1987
LEFTP34
IV.A.
29
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1979
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1979
TREE REPLANTING
LEFT
DANCING FOUNTAIN
TOP RIGHT
DANCING FOUNTAIN
BOTTOM RIGHT
KI DAVIS MEMORIAL SCULPTURE
BOTTOM LEFTP35 IV.A.
30 | Site Analysis
N
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
2000S MODIFICATIONS
2000s MODIFICATIONS
The biggest changes to the pedestrian mall
were modifications made to Mill Street in the
early 2000s.
The 1976 construction included a children’s
play space and a small restroom on Mill Street.
Both were inadequate and were replaced in
2002 with a new, larger playground and a larger
restroom / interpretive building. Two walls of
the building serve as interpretive panels noting
Aspen’s history.
A circular plaza, Sister Cities Plaza was installed
south of the restroom building. It included a
circular paving pattern, a half-circular metal
bench and a clock tower.
AERIAL, 2004
LEFTP36
IV.A.
31
PLAN - E.A.
A1.0 EA
ARCHITECTURAL SITE
PROJECT # 0103
FILENAME: 0103-A1.0 EA
ISSUE: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT DEVELOPEMENT
PROGRESS: 8.24.01
H.P.C. FINAL: 9.07.01
PERMIT: 9.20.01
BID: 9.20.01
C.O. #1: 12.11.01W A G N E R P A R K E D G ESOUTH MILL STREET MALLASPEN, COLORADOMundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
COMMUNITY FIRE HEARTH
LEFT
SISTER CITIES PLAZA
TOP RIGHT, BOTTOM LEFT
RESTROOM BUILDING
BOTTOM RIGHTP37 IV.A.
32 | Site Analysis
N
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
PRESENT DAY
PRESENT-DAY
Over the course of the last 40 years the downtown pedestrian
mall has matured from an idea to the community’s quintessential
central place, identifiable as Aspen. The four streets that were
transformed in 1976 from vehicular routes to pedestrian spaces
remain today as do most features of the original construction.
Trees and plantings remain in similar locations to the late 1970s
installations with some newer species replacing original trees
and some trees in new locations. Perennial plantings occur in
some areas previously planted as sod. Brick paving remains in all
original locations aside from Mill Street, where the Sister Cities
Plaza was installed. Most of the original brick features (gutters,
bridges, rolled curbs and edges) remain in original locations.
Some disrepair is evident in some materials and features.
Antique lights remain in original locations, but the original low
level bollard lights have all been removed. Most of the original
wood benches remain.
Features installed in the recent past include the fire hearth and
kiosk on Galena Street, and a kiosk on Mill Street. A low black
metal railing was installed around tree wells on Mill and Galena
streets in the last few years.
AERIAL, 2016
LEFTP38
IV.A.
33
Mundus Bishop, 2106
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
COOPER AVENUE
LEFT
COOPER AVENUE
TOP RIGHT
MILL STREET
BOTTOM RIGHTP39 IV.A.
34 | Site Analysis
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1977
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1977
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
The analysis of the Mall is accomplished by documenting the
extent to which this iconic landscape, and those characteristics
and physical features that historically shaped the Mall are present
today. Changes that occurred immediately after construction
was complete, or those completed later according to the original
design intent are also considered part of the original work.
The analysis evaluates the Mall’s integrity, comparing original
construction to present-day, and is evaluated according to
seven aspects or qualities: location, setting, feeling, materials,
workmanship, design, and association. A series of landscape
characteristics are assessed, i.e., spatial organization, views and
vistas, small scale features and vegetation, to provide a framework
for the analysis of integrity.
This analysis is presented for the entire Mall first, followed by an
analysis of each of its distinct components including Urban Park
(Cooper Avenue Mall and Hyman Avenue Mall), Urban Plaza (Mill
Street Mall and Galena Street Mall), and Nodes (Wheeler Node,
Wagner Node, Independence Node, and Galena Hyman Node).
These place names are derived from the original design drawings.
GENERAL
The Downtown Pedestrian Mall (Mall) is a distinctive grid of
four linear pedestrian spaces, linked by a common vocabulary of
materials, i.e., the ground plane of brick paving, repetitive patterns
of vegetation and spatial organization, and a series of three nodes.
The linear pedestrian spaces consist of three typologies: urban
park with a mature forest and linear landscape spaces with
channels, urban plaza with a bosquet of ornamental trees, nodes
with fountains and spaces that denote entry and gathering.
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
BOTTOM LEFT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
LEFT
P40IV.A.
35
CONTEXT
HYMAN AVENUE
COOPER AVENUE GALENA STREETMILL STREETURBAN PLAZAURBAN PLAZAURBAN PARK
URBAN PARK
GALENA
HYMAN
NODE
WHEELER
NODE
INDEPENDENCE
NODEWAGNER
NODE
N
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
ORGANIZATION
The analysis is presented according to the Mall’s three typologies,
follwoed by analysis of paving and materials, vegetation, and
Temporary installations.
THREE TYPOLOGIES
The Mall is composed of three types of space, each characterized
by a distinct pattern and form. Urban park is characterized by linear
landscape spaces with channels and a mature forest. Bosquets of
ornamental trees set in open plazas characterize the Urban Plaza.
These two typologies share brick paving, set in a running bond
pattern. Linking these with one another and the downtown are
Nodes, concentrations of movement and focal points in activity,
which are characterized by open areas defined by brick paving in
a diagonal pattern.
URBAN PARK
HYMAN AVENUE MALL
COOPER AVENUE MALL
URBAN PLAZA
MILL STREET
GALENA STREET
NODES
WHEELER NODE
WAGNER NODE
INDEPENDENCE NODE
GALENA HYMAN NODE
FEATURES AND MATERIALS
BRICK PAVING
DETAILS
VEGETATION
TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONSP41 IV.A.
36 | Site Analysis
N
scale 1”=60’
0’30’60’120’Original Construction - Built Features , Mundus Bishop, 2017.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
THE MALL
The Downtown Pedestrian Mall (Mall) is a
distinctive urban grid of four linear pedestrian
spaces formed by the downtown street grid,
which they replaced. The four are spatially
and physically linked by a common vocabulary
of form and materials creating one cohesive
urban place. The most characteristic feature
is the consistent ground plane of brick paving
that extends through all four spaces in similar
repetitive patterns. This continuity of material,
along with the linear built edge of multi-storied
buildings, gives the Mall a distinctive spatial
character.
The repetition of three simple spatial patterns,
one for east west streets, another for north
south streets, and one for intersections
reinforces this continuity. A uniform palette
of features, integrated with the design of the
paving patterns, is consistent throughout. The
brick features—linear gutters, rolled curbs, tree
wells, and bridges—add to the unified aesthetic
and define each space. ‘Antique lights,’ and
wood benches, along with two fountains at
key intersections complement this simple, but
sophisticated urban space.
The Mall remains remarkably similar to the
original 1976 construction, and the years up to
1980 when modifications continued to realize its
design intent. In general, the Mall retains integrity
in all aspects: location, setting, feeling, design,
workmanship, materials, and association. Of the
four spaces, Cooper and Hyman Avenues remain
the most similar to the original construction with
only minor modifications to brick gutters and
paving, and plantings. Galena Street is similar to
its 1976 construction with two notable additions:
the fire hearth and information kiosk. Mill
Street has changed the most since the 1980s.
Additions of a larger scale and size interrupted
the original patterns and spatial relationships,
which has diminished its integrity. P42IV.A.
37
1976 Bridge
1976 ‘Antique’ Light Remains
1976 Manhole Remains
1976 Drain Inlet Remains
1976 Bench Location
Pre-1976 Tree Location
Post-1976 Tree Location
1976 Tree Location
New Tree Location and Species
Legend
1976 Tree Well Location
1976 Tree Well Removed
Landscaped Area
1976 Tree Well Reworked During
Design / Construction of Tank
1976 Bench, Removed or
Moved
1976 Fountain
N
scale 1”=60’
0’30’60’120’Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
LEGEND
P43IV.A.
38 | Site Analysis
A ACCBColored ConcreteRunning
Bond
GutterRolled CurbRunning
Bond
Rolled CurbGutterColored ConcreteRunning
Bond 1976
Looking
East
2017
Looking
East
URBAN PARK
Urban parks are characterized by linear
landscape spaces with channels and a mature
forest. Hyman and Cooper Avenues share a
common form and arrangement of features, laid
out in a consistent rhythm and pattern. Each is
composed of a three-part arrangement, where a
consistent built edge defines the space on both
sides. Adjacent to the built edge are broad linear
walkways of 20’ feet wide. Linear landscape
areas abut each walkway, and define these as
well as a narrower central walkway of 15’ feet
wide. The walkways are all paved in brick, set
in a running bond pattern that follows the linear
form of the space. Characteristic features include
‘antique lights’ at intersections with nodes and
mid-block, and wood benches.
The two linear landscape spaces extend the
length of each avenue, creating a characteristic
three-part arrangement. Each consists of the
same cross section where the outer edge is a
brick gutter set adjacent to a rolled curb that
extends up to the landscape area. This space,
7 feet in width, includes a central water channel
that meanders along the full length. Along its
edges are lawn and tree plantings. The inner
edge is a rolled curb. The consistent use of brick
in the paving, gutter, and rolled curb creates one
continuous aesthetic. Brick paved bridges cross
each landscape space at select locations, in an
alternating pattern creating movement into the
space as opposed to providing through routes.
Plantings along each urban park are similar,
with linear plantings located in the landscape
spaces and consisting of aspens, narrowleaf
cottonwoods, evergreens and areas of perennials.
Original design drawings recommended singular
lines of narrowleaf cottonwoods, which were
replaced with a similar palette of vegetation to
what remains today.
scale 1”=10’
0’5’10’20’
HYMAN AVENUNEMALL
URBAN PARK - HYMAN AVENUE MALL
P44IV.A.
39
Aspen Historical Society, 1978
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1977
HYMAN AVENUE MALL
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
LEFT
Aspen Historical Society, 1978 Mundus Bishop, 2016P45 IV.A.
40 | Site Analysis
Hyman Avenue Original Construction - Built Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
Hyman Avenue Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
HYMAN AVENUE MALL
P46IV.A.
41
Mundus Bishop, 2016
HYMAN AVENUE MALL
Denver Public Library, no date
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1978
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
LEFT
P47IV.A.
42 | Site Analysis
A ACCBColored ConcreteRunning
Bond
GutterRolled CurbRunning
Bond
Rolled CurbGutterColored ConcreteRunning
Bond 1976
Looking
East
2017
Looking
East
COOPER AVENUE MALL
scale 1”=10’
0’5’10’20’
Hyman Avenue Mall and Cooper Avenue
Mall both retain integrity in all aspects. The
form and arrangement of spaces and features
on Hyman Avenue most closely resembles
the original construction. In addition to the
extent of original brick paving and features
that remain, many original wood benches
remain in original locations. Cooper Avenue is
very similar to the original construction with
only minor modifications, primarily the loss of
original benches. The introduction of perennials
as individualized plantings (vs along the entire
length) disrupts the original linear character.
Incremental changes to each avenue are
beginning to diminish integrity in design,
materials and workmanship. These changes
include asphalt patches at bridge crossings
and modifications at building entries to
facilitate universal access, and large temporary
installations in the central walkway that visually
and physically disrupt the characteristic flow and
pattern.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Current methods to make bridges universally
accessible impacts brick gutters
• Current methods for adjacent accessibility
into buildings
• Temporary installations interrupt the
characteristic form and pattern
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Orchestrating movement with placement of
bridges into and between spaces instead of
‘through’ routes
• Retain a consistency of ground plane (color,
texture)
• Emphasize linear spaces with continuity
even as space needs change vs creating a
series of individual spaces
• Retain contributing features / details – brick
gutter, rolled curb
COOPER AVENUNEMALLP48
IV.A.
43
Aspen Historical Society, 1977
Mundus Bishop, 2016
COOPER AVENUE MALL
Aspen Historical Society, 1979
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
LEFT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHTP49 IV.A.
44 | Site Analysis
Cooper Avenue Original Construction - Built Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
Cooper Avenue Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
COOPER AVENUE MALL
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
PRESENT-DAYP50
IV.A.
45
COOPER AVENUE MALL
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1977
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Aspen Historical Society, 1979
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
LEFT
PRESENT DAY
BOTTOM RIGHTP51 IV.A.
46 | Site Analysis
A ACCBColored ConcreteRunning
Bond
GutterRunning
Bond
GutterColored ConcreteRunning
Bond
Running
Bond
Tree
Well
Tree
Well
Tree
Well 1976
Looking
North
2017
Looking
North
scale 1”=10’
0’5’10’20’
MILL STREETMALL -NORTH
URBAN PLAZA - MILL STREET MALL NORTH
URBAN PLAZA
Mill Street and Galena Street are both urban
plazas, although each has its own characteristic
pattern. As urban plazas, the two streets share
similar arrangements and features. Each is a
three-part composition consisting of a central
walkway defined by tree bosquets with
continuous brick paving set in a running bond
pattern that follows the linear street. Beginning
in the 1990s, flower plantings became an integral
part of the urban plazas. Baskets were added to
light poles, perennials and annuals were planted
in tree wells, and pots of flowers were added to
the streets.
MILL STREET
Mill Street is two full blocks in length, oriented
north south, and extending from Hyman to
Durant Avenues. It is generally characterized
by a central walkway, flanked on both sides
by bosquets of trees set in individual tree
wells. Along the outer edges, are brick paved
walkways. This central walkway defined by
two brick gutters extends for the length of Mill
Street, interrupted at the Wagner Node. The
north section of Mill Street from the Wheeler
Node to Hyman Avenue consists of two
bosquets of ornamental trees, one on either
side of the central walkway, each with two
rows of trees. Brick paving extends across the
entire cross section. From Hyman Avenue to
the Wagner Node, the west edge changes to
include the playground and restroom building.
The central walkway continues with a bosquet
of trees on the east edge. From the Wagner
Node to Durant Avenue, the pattern of a central
walkway flanked by trees is re-established. Low
steel fences surround each tree well on Mill
Street. Flowers are planted under the trees each
summer. Although these are small features,
they visually interrupt the cohesive ground plane
and sense of an urban plaza. Functionally, they
assist in keeping people, pets and trash out of
the tree wells. P52IV.A.
47
MILL STREET MALL- NORTH
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1990
Mundus Bishop, 2016
MILL STREET - NORTH
Mill Street remains similar to the original
construction in certain areas and aspects.
It remains as one linear space, although its
original continuity has been reduced. The north
section retains the original pattern of a central
walkway with a bosquet of trees in tree wells,
in which original crabapple trees remain. Two
replacement trees differ in character from the
crabapples, diminish the form of the bosquet.
The section with the most modifications is
between Hyman and Cooper avenues. The
west edge was originally built with a children’s
play structure that extended into Wagner Park
and a small restroom building. These were both
replaced in the 2000s with larger features set in
rectilinear patterns. The uses remain the same
but the change in the scale of the additions
unintentionally serves to separate the north
section from the rest of the plaza and adjacent
park, and visually narrows Mill Street’s central
walkway. The central space appears even
narrower in summer months when outdoor
uses line some of the spaces adjacent to the
buildings.
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
MILL STREET, 1990S
TOP RIGHT
P53IV.A.
48 | Site Analysis
Mill Street Original Construction - Built Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
Mill Street Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
MILL STREET MALL
N scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’P54IV.A.
49
MILL STREET MALL
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
PRESENT-DAY
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHTP55 IV.A.
50 | Site Analysis
C CBColored ConcreteRunning
Bond
GutterRunning
Bond
GutterTree
Well 1976
Looking
North
2017
Looking
North
Tree
Well
Tree
Well
Tree
Well
Running
Bond
A
Running
Bond
Running
Bond
MILL STREET MALL- SOUTH
scale 1”=10’
0’5’10’20’
MILL STREETMALL -SOUTH
MILL STREET - SOUTH
The south section of Mill Street remains similar to the
original construction and retains integrity. Original design
drawings indicated silver maples as the tree species for this
bosquet. Today it is a mix of species of varied heights, forms
and character with a missing tree. This mismatch of species
diminishes the intent of having a cohesive grove of trees.
Two trees at the northeast corner connecting to Cooper
Avenue were eliminated during the 1976 construction to
accommodate an underground tank. Adjacent to this, also
on the east edge, was a landscape area between the plaza
and the building. A series of concrete planters were added
to this space after the original construction, resulting in a
barrier and impassable edge.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Mill Street has changed the most of all Mall spaces
• Small scale features (non-hisotric) interrupt visual
character
• Mixed tree species and mixed sized diminish the
bosquets
• Temporary installations interrupt the characteristic form
and pattern of Mill Street
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Holistic modifications considering spatial arrangements
(of which paving helps to define) should be done vs
individual spaces being redesigned
• Orchestrate movement and views using the original
design intent
• Retain a consistency of ground plane in color, texture,
scale, etc.
• Emphasize connected linear spaces and connections at
nodes
• Create cohesive spaces vs a series of individualized
spaces
• Retain / repair contributing features / details – brick
paving, brick gutters, brick tree wells, wood benches
before replacement
• Repair / retain fountainsP56 IV.A.
51
MILL STREET MALL - SOUTH
Aspen Historical Society, 1978
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Aspen Historical Society, 1984
PRESENT-DAY
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
LEFT
P57IV.A.
52 | Site Analysis
A ACCBColored ConcreteRunning
Bond
GutterRolled CurbRunning
Bond
Rolled CurbRolled CurbColored ConcreteRunning
Bond
Tree
Well
Tree
Well 1976
Looking
North
2017
Looking
North
GALENA STREET MALL
scale 1”=10’
0’5’10’20’
GALENASTREETMALL
GALENA STREET
Galena Street is just one block in length (a second block to
the north in the original design was never built), and extends
from Cooper Avenue to Durant Avenue. It is characterized
by a central bosquet of trees set in large brick tree wells,
flanked by brick walkways on either side. The bosquet is
actually two groves of trees of two rows each, divided by a
brick walkway that extends through the center. This creates
a three-part composition for Galena Street.
Galena Street is very similar to its original construction.
The form and arrangement of the street remains with one
addition: the community fire hearth. It is set in a location
where two trees were originally intended but not installed.
Instead a large vault was installed below grade. The
placement and character of the information kiosk somewhat
diminishes Galena Street’s integrity. As with the other
spaces, the consistent use of brick in the paving, gutter, and
tree wells creates one continuous aesthetic.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Galena Street retains integrity as it remains similar to the
original construction
• The fire hearth is a new feature placed within the original
tree pattern in locations where trees were never planted
• The kiosk slightly diminishes the integrity of Galena
Street
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Holistic modifications considering spatial arrangements
(of which paving helps to define) should be done vs
individual spaces being redesigned
• Orchestrate movement and views using the original
design intent
• Retain a consistency of ground plane in color, texture,
scale, etc.
• Retain / repair contributing features / details – brick
paving, brick gutters, brick tree wells, wood benches
• If future expansion is considered (possibly in areas
designed but not built) respect the original design intent
but create spaces of their own time and place. P58IV.A.
53
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Aspen Historical Society, 1990
Mundus Bishop, 2016
GALENA STREET MALL
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
TOP RIGHT
1990S
LEFT
P59IV.A.
54 | Site Analysis
Galena Street Original Construction - Built Features, Mundus
Bishop, 2017.
Galena Street Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop,
2017.
GALENA STREET MALL
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
PRESENT-DAYP60
IV.A.
55
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
GALENA STREET MALL
PRESENT-DAY
LEFT
PRESENT-DAY
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHTP61 IV.A.
56 | Site Analysis
Wheeler Node Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
Wheeler Node Original Construction - Built Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
WHEELER NODE
NODES
The connections between the Mall and
downtown, and the linkages between urban
parks and urban plazas are three nodes:
Wheeler, Wagner and Independence. Wheeler
and Independence are at vehicular intersections,
marking the entry into the Mall. Wagner is set
at the intersection of Mill Street and Cooper
Avenue, and connects to Wagner Park. All three
spaces are characterized by large expanses
of brick paving, set on as diagonal pattern
to the avenues and streets. Each has its own
individualized features including the fountain at
Wheeler, Sister Cities plaza at Wagner, and an
information kiosk at Independence. The nodes
were identified as such on the original design
drawings.
WHEELER NODE
Located at Hyman Avenue and Mill Street,
Wheeler Node visually serves as a main entry
into the Mall, punctuated by the Dancing
Fountain at its southern edge. The plaza is at the
apex of multiple pedestrian routes.
The space is characterized by continuous brick
paving set on a diagonal, with bands of greyish
black defining squares of red bricks. The
diagonal pattern intersects with Hyman Avenue
to the east and Mill Street to the south. This
visual continuity reinforces the linearity of Mill
Street, making the two appear as a continuous
space. The consistent use of brick in the paving,
and the surround of the fountain continues the
characteristic aesthetic.
The Dancing Fountain is an iconic feature of
the Wheeler Node, and the Mall in general. The
rectangular space was originally built in 1976 as
a storm water vault with the same grate, set at
a low point to collect drainage. A similar system
was built at the same time at the southern
end of Mill Street (no longer extant). In 1979
local sculptor Travis Fulton and computer wiz
Nick DeWolf repurposed the storm inlet as the
Dancing Fountain. P62IV.A.
57
WHEELER
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Nick DeWolf Foundation, 1977
Wheeler remains very similar to the original construction. The
brick paving is in place along with the Dancing Fountain, which
has been repaired but its original grate and rectangular opening
remain.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Wheeler Node remains very similar to the original construction
• Views and physical connections to the park have been
modified from the original construction, diminishing integrity
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Holistic modifications should be considered including spatial,
ground plane, plantings, etc.
• Wheeler Node and Mill Street Mall should be considered
together in any future modifications
• The information kiosk, and other temporary features,
interrupts the spatial pattern of the Wheeler Node, slightly
diminishing its integrity
• Retain a consistency of ground plane in color, texture, scale,
etc.
• Create cohesive connections vs a series of individualized
spaces
• Retain contributing features / details – brick paving, brick
gutters, brick tree wells, views
• If future expansion is considered (possibly in areas designed
but not built) respect the original design intent but create
spaces of their own time and place. P63IV.A.
58 | Site Analysis
WAGNER
Wagner Node Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
Wagner Node Original Construction - Built Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
WAGNER NODE
The central space of Mill Street is the Wagner Node. It links
the two sections of Mill Street, and connects to Cooper
Avenue and Wagner Park.
The space includes Sister Cities Plaza, a circular bench
and the Clock Tower. This more recent plaza interrupts the
original brick paving set on a diagonal, which has bands of
greyish black defining squares of red bricks characteristic of
all the nodes. Sister Cities Plaza is a circular form defined
by a wide concrete band with an interior of brick paving in a
herringbone pattern. Bands of inlaid marble extend across
the plaza engraved with the names of Aspen’s sister cities.
The Clock Tower is set on the southwest edge of the plaza.
The circular bench borders a portion of the south side.
At the time of the 1976 construction, all three nodes were
of a similar scale and shared the same diagonal brick paving
pattern. This created a cohesive aesthetic and simple pattern
of movement that showcased views to key places, such as
Wagner Park.
The introduction of the circular form of the Sister Cities
Plaza, its change in materials and orientation to the side of
the space interrupts the continuity of the Wagner Node. The
Wagner Node has diminished integrity in feeling, design and
association.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Wagner Node has changed the most of all Mall spaces –
newer pattern is counter to continuous aesthetic
• Views and physical connections to the park have been
modified from the original construction, diminishing
integrity
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Holistic modifications should be considered including
spatial, ground plane, plantings, etc.
• Wagner Node and Mill Street should be considered
together in any future modifications
• Wagner Node might offer the most opportunity for
modifications as it has changed the most of all spacesP64
IV.A.
59
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
WAGNER
PRESENT-DAY
LEFT
PRESENT-DAY
TOP RIGHT
1997
BOTTOM RIGHTP65 IV.A.
60 | Site Analysis
Independence Node Present-Day - Extant Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
Independence Node Original Construction - Built Features, Mundus Bishop, 2017.
N
scale 1”=30’
0’15’30’60’
INDEPENDENCE NODE
The Independence Node links Galena Street and Cooper Avenue,
and connects the Mall to the downtown on the east. The space
visually serves as an entry into the Mall, and is characterized by
continuous brick paving set on a diagonal, with bands of greyish
black defining squares of red bricks. An information kiosk is
located near the intersection with Cooper Avenue.
Design drawings for Independence ‘node’ or ‘plaza,’ originally
envisioned the plaza paving and features to extend across Galena
Street to the east. Two square, brick edged fountains were to be
installed to create a cohesive central space. This design was not
implemented, and drawings were reissued in July 1976 noting the
current plaza.
Independence retains integrity, with only minor intrusions on the
original character, including the scale, style and location of the
information kiosk.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Independence Node remains similar to its original construction
• The information kiosk interrupts the spatial pattern of the
Independence Node, slightly diminishing its integrity
• Temporary installations interrupt the open character of this
node
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Holistic modifications should be considered including spatial
arrangements, ground plane or paving, etc.
• Retain a consistency of ground plane in color, texture, scale,
etc.
• Emphasize connections at nodes
• Create cohesive connections vs a series of individualized
spaces
• Retain contributing features / details – brick paving, brick
gutters, brick tree wells, views
• If future expansion is considered (possibly in areas designed
but not built) respect the original design intent but create
spaces of their own time and place.
WAGNER NODE
P66IV.A.
61
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
INDEPENDENCE
Mundus Bishop, 2016
PRESENT-DAY
LEFT
PRESENT-DAY
TOP RIGHT
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHTP67 IV.A.
62 | Site Analysis
Aspen Pedestrian Mall, 1977
Mundus Bishop, 2016
FEATURES AND MATERIALS
BRICK MATERIALS
The most characteristic feature of the Mall is the consistent ground plane of brick paving that extends
throughout all of the Mall’s spaces in similar repetitive patterns. In addition to the paving, brick is the
primary material of gutters, rolled curbs and tree wells in all of areas of the Mall. This continuity of
material, along with the linear built edge of multi-storied buildings, gives the Mall a distinctive spatial
character.
5 different types of bricks are repurposed from historic pavers. Some bricks are known to be sourced
from two companies, the ‘Egyptian’ from the Murphysboro Paving Brick Company of Illinois, and
‘Culver Block’ manufactured by the Wabash Clay Company of Veedersburg, Indiana with a patent
date of 1901.
Two colors of brick create the characteristic patterns of the Mall, arranged in two general ways.
Linear expanses of paving are a running bond pattern consisting of a field mix of the two colors.
Diagonal patterns of brick paving define the nodes, in which greyish black brick paving define squares
of red bricks. Most bricks are embossed with a series of horizontal and vertical grooves (making them
slip resistant). Others are stippled with no imprinting. A select number of bricks are aligned as bands.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Small incremental changes to features
• Removal of original features or replacement with very different styles of features (i.e., circular
bench)
• Temporary installations along Cooper and Hyman avenues, and Mill Street Mall threaten features
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Acknowledging the original features as key components in patterns and the holistic character of
the Mall should inform future modifications and design decisions
• Repair original features in a manner that retains original material first (replace in-kind second),
maintains a consistency of ground plane (color, texture)
• Retain / repair contributing features / details – brick paving, brick gutters, brick tree wells,, etc.
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
BOTTOM RIGHTP68
IV.A.
63
BRICK MATERIALS
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
BRICK PAVING PLAN AND SECTION LEFT
Mundus Bishop, 2016
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Aspen Historical Society, 1976P69IV.A.
64 | Site Analysis
BRICK MATERIALS
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Mundus Bishop, 2016
DETAIL AT DRAIN INLET
LEFT
ROLLED CURB
RIGHT
TREE WELL
BOTTOM RIGHT
WHEELER NODE GUTTER, 2016
BOTTOM LEFT
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976P70
IV.A.
65
BRICK MATERIALS
PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
BRIDGE DETAIL
TOP LEFT
Aspen Historical Society, 1985
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Mundus Bishop, 2016Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
BRICK GUTTER
BOTTOM LEFT
Aspen Historical Society, 1980
P71IV.A.
66 | Site Analysis
BRICK MATERIALS
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
BOTTOM LEFT, BOTTOM RIGHT
Aspen Historical Society, 1976
SCUPPER DETAIL AND PLAN
TOP RIGHT
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
SECTION AT FOUNTAIN
LEFT
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Aspen Historical Society, 1978P72
IV.A.
67
BRICK MATERIALS
FEATURES
As with all successful urban spaces, function and use are integral to the Mall. A series of benches
provide seating and respite, lighting provides wayfinding, and define entrances to spaces, gutters
provide for storm water runoff, and others such as rolled curbs and tree wells create the characteristic
elements of the Mall. These features create another layer of continuity that defines the Mall’s character
The original construction included many wood benches built of two designs, one with a back and
another without. Many of these benches remain in original locations, with the most along Hyman
Avenue. Wood benches with a back are characteristic of Hyman and Cooper Avenues, and are
situated across the brick gutter. On Galena and Mill Streets, wood benches are backless. In all, 29 of
the originally installed benches remain; although not in original locations.
‘Antique lights’ accentuate the ends of each street and avenue, and define the edges of each node.
These lights were integral to the original construction, and most remain today in their original locations.
Lights at the ends typically include three fixtures, in contrast to mid-block lights that are one fixture.
The 1976 design documents do not include mid-block lights. These documents refer to the lights as
‘antique light’. Photographs from as early as 1979 note mid-block lights were also installed on Hyman
and Cooper avenues.
The most important small scale features of the Mall are those that are integrated with the spatial
arrangement of each original space including urban parks and urban plazas. These features are the
brick gutter, brick rolled curb and brick tree well. Each is an individual detail with a specific purpose,
but each is also an integral component of the overall design.
Current issues impacting integrity:
• Small incremental changes to features
• Removal of features or replacement with very different styles of features
• Temporary installations along Cooper Avenue, Hyman Avenue, and Mill Street that threaten
original features
Key design considerations / Potential guidance:
• Acknowledging that these features are key components in the patterns and holistic character of
the Mall
• Repair features in a manner that retains original material first (replace in-kind second), maintain a
consistency of ground plane (color, texture)
• Retain contributing features / details – brick paving, brick gutters, brick tree wells
Aspen Historical Society, 1982
WOOD BENCHES PRESENT-DAY
BOTTOM RIGHT
WOOD BENCHES ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
Mundus Bishop, 2016P73IV.A.
68 | Site Analysis
FEATURES
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
‘ANTIQUE LIGHT’ BASE
TOP LEFT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TOP RIGHT
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
BOTTOM RIGHT
Denver Public Library, 1978
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
Design Development (A Drawings), April 1976
LOW LEVEL LIGHTS
BOTTOM LEFTP74
IV.A.
69
BRICK MATERIALS
Mundus Bishop, 2016Mundus Bishop, 2016
Mundus Bishop, 2016
DINING ON COOPER AVENUE
LEFT
DINING ON MILL STREET
TOP RIGHT
DINING ON MILL STREET BOTTOM RIGHTP75 IV.A.
70 | Site Analysis
1976 Proposed Tree
1979 Tree Location
Legend
1976 Tree Well Location
1976 Tree Well Removed
Landscaped Area
1976 Tree Well Reworked During
Design / Construction of Tank
Missing Tree
Original construction drawings indicated tree
bosquets on Mill Street and Galena Street. Silver
maple trees were intended to be planted on Mill
Street and crabapple trees on Galena Street.
A linear pattern of narrowleaf cottonwoods
(shade trees), interspersed with quaking aspen,
pinyon pine and blue spruce and a groundcover
of sod, was intended along Cooper Avenue
and Hyman Avenue. Annuals were noted but
were not shown on the drawings. The 1976
drawings noted a few trees in existence at the
time of construction. These were planted prior
to the development of mall, and were primarily
associated with previous sidewalks, (street
trees). They were primarily green ash trees.
Tree bosquets on Mill and Galena streets remain
very similar to the 1976 construction with some
missing trees, a change in species in some areas,
and some newer plantings. Galena Street trees
remain most similar and most are likely original
plantings. North Mill Street is primarily crabapple
trees as originally intended but has some infill
trees of different species. South Mill Street has
the greatest mix of species and forms, and does
not appear as a cohesive bosquet.
Aerial photographs and site images from the late
1970s / early 1980s indicate a planting pattern
and mix of species on Hyman and Cooper
avenues that differed from the 1976 design
drawings. Instead of a linear planting of primarily
narrowleaf cottonwoods interspersed with other
species, tree plantings were a mixture of these
same species in a somewhat more informal
pattern.
Many of the trees planted in the late 1970s
remain in place, in varied condition, along Hyman
and Cooper avenues. They create a distinctive
pattern that is generally linear but not straight,
accomplished through an informal arrangement
composed of a mix of species.
The tree patterns and forms contribute to the
integrity of the Mall.
TREE ANALYSIS
P76IV.A.
71
FEATURES
Trees 1979, Mundus Bishop 2017 Existing Trees 2016, Mundus Bishop 2017P77IV.A.
72 | Site AnalysisP78 IV.A.
73
LAND USE + OWNERSHIPP79 IV.A.
74 | Site Analysis
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
LEGEND
scale 1”=100’N
LAND USE
Public Use Facilities
Parks + Open Space
Office
Parcel Boundary
Restaurant
Retail
Occupiable Public Space (124,573)
Planted Areas (Beneath Canopy)
Residential + Lodging
ALLEY
Other (Theater, Municipal, etc.)RESTROOMPLAYPUBLIC
FOUNTAIN PUBLICFOUNTAINE DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETCOOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETRUBEY PARK TRANSIT CENTERP80
IV.A.
75
ADJACENT HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Parcel Boundary
Historic Buildings
LEGEND
Not only will the Mall have a historic landmark
designation, seven buildings fronting the Mall
are also historic.
DANCING
FOUNTAIN
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETRUBEY PARK TRANSIT CENTER KAI DAVISFOUNATINP81IV.A.
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CEN-
76 | Site Analysis
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
scale 1”=100’N
LEGEND
To understand pedestrian access from the Mall
to adjacent buildings, the survey work must
capture the Finished Floor Elevation of buildings
along the Mall frontages.
To guide future construction phases of the
Mall, the team would like to install small,
prism-monitoring-systems on the facade of the
adjacent buildings. These small prisms will be
used to confirm the Finished Floor Elevation and
establish a baseline over the course of multiple
seasons. Any potential movement could be
monitored through the life of the project. The
prisms will be installed in places agreeable to
the building owner.
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
1 2 3 4
5 6 87
9
10
11
12
13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20
21
23 24
25
27
28
29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36
38
39 40
26
22
37
PROPERTY SURVEY KEY
41 43 44
45
46 47
48
50 51
52 54
Buildings ideal for prisms49
42
53P82
IV.A.
77
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CEN-
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
1 2 3 4
5 6 87
9
10
11
12
13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20
21
23 24
25
27
28
29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36
38
39 40
26
22
37
DEVELOPMENT ON MALL
41 42 43 44
45
46 47
48
50 51
52 53 54
49
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
scale 1”=100’N
Land Use Applications
Permit Applications
LEGEND
Eleven buildings on the Mall are proposed for
redevelopment. A clear vision for the Mall’s
redevelopment will be critical for conversations
with redevelopment properties. Construction
sequencing will also be important. P83IV.A.
78 | Site Analysis
BUSINESS INVENTORY - HYMAN
LEGEND
Office
Restaurant
Retail
Residential + Lodging
Other
Study Area
(Theater, Municipal, etc.)
JUSTICE
WHEELER
GREY LADY
CURIOUS
OFFICE PANERAI
APARTMENTS
AUDEMAR’S
OMNIBUS
OMNIBUS
HOPS CULTURE
ASPEN ESTATES
APARTMENTS ANNETTE’S
APARTMENTS
MONCLER
CHA CHA
PSYCHIC
INTERMIX
SALON
WA
G
N
E
R
P
A
R
K
HY
M
A
N
A
V
E
N
U
E
CO
O
P
E
R
A
V
E
N
U
E
PED
E
S
T
R
I
A
N
A
L
L
E
Y
9
8
13
14
15
17
35
24
26
31
34
29
33
10
MILL S
T
R
E
E
T
36
NY PIZZA
SOTHEBY’S
CALYPSO ST.
GREEN AJAX DONUTS
ART TEE GALLERY
ELK MTN
ASPEN T-SHIRT
SPORTS MAGASIN
RESIDENCE
JET SET AG
COS BAR ASPEN
INQUIRE
11 12
16
30
27 28
32
The primary land uses on the ground level
are retail uses. Hyman contains the greatest
concentration of restaurant frontages (on the
north side). P84IV.A.
79
BUSINESS INVENTORY - COOPER
RHYNO’S
LEGEND
WA
G
N
E
R
P
A
R
K
HY
M
A
N
A
V
E
N
U
E
COO
P
E
R
A
V
E
N
U
E
PED
E
S
T
R
I
A
N
A
L
L
E
Y
RU
B
E
Y
P
A
R
K
44
53
Office
Restaurant
Retail
Residential + Lodging
Other
Study Area
(Theater, Municipal, etc.)
25
39 40
41
42 43
49
MILL S
T
R
E
ET
46
2 APARTMENTS
PARADISE BAKERY
P E 101
CASA TUA
PISMO PHOTO
FREE PRESS
RED ONION
JIMMY’S BODEGA
ROCKY MTN CHOCLOLATE
KJUS SHOP
NORTH FACE
MARCH RICHARDS
MARU ASPEN
BASALT BIKE + SKI ASPEN
TAYLOR
POWDER KEG
ZEMA LINGERIE
COS BAR
GORSUCH
RALPH LAU-
SNQ SPORT
50 51
STEFAN KAELIN
AETHER
52
54
Cooper is primarily retail frontages with the
exception of the Red Onion and Casa Tua
restaurants. Rhyno’s restaurant is part of a
redevelopment project. P85IV.A.
EMERGENCY ACCESS
80 | Site Analysis
EXISTING PLANTERS
CONFLICT WITH FIRE
TRUCK TURNING
MOVEMENT. NO RIGHT
TURN FROM MILL.
ACCESS IS FROM COOPER
ONLY.
FIRE PIT MOST
OFTEN RAISES
ISSUES FOR APD
TO RESPOND TO.
ACCESS IN BOTH
DIRECTIONS
CENTER IS UNDESIRABLE FOR FIRE ACCESS
SINGLE ACCESS
DIRECTION
ACCESS IN BOTH
DIRECTIONS
ACCESS IN BOTH
DIRECTIONS
CENTER IS UNDESIRABLE FOR FIRE ACCESS
ALLEYS ARE DIFFICULT FOR FIRE ACCESS
Fire and emergency access notes:
• Fire lane: 20’ width (16’ width, case by case)
• 3-story buildings need direct, adjacent
access.
• 2-story buildings are reachable by fire hose
across the center aisles (streams and center
trees).
• Trees will be cut down in emergencies
where they impede emergency response.
• Some tree limbs have grown to impede
emergency response in some 2 and 3-story
window conditions. This can be resolved
with selective pruning and working closely
with the City Forester.
• Ambulance and police vehicles will follow
access requirements for fire.
• Police drive onto the Mall in emergencies.
This most often occurs at night.
• Police often respond to fights or nuisance
calls which originate from the fire pit.
• Alleys are designated for emergency access,
however, they are frequently blocked by
delivery trucks and waste management
receptacles.
SOUTH SIDE ACCESS IS DESIRABLE TO
REACH 3-STORY BUILDINGS WITH FIRE
LADDER WITH FIRE LADDER TRUCK
FIRE HOSE CAN REACH 2-STORY
STRUCTURES FROM SOUTH SIDE
AFD ERECTS MANUAL LADDERS
FIRE HOSE CAN REACH 2-STORY
STRUCTURES FROM SOUTH SIDE
AFD ERECTS MANUAL LADDERS
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
P86IV.A.
81
NO FIRE ACCESS ADJACENT TO TREES IN GRATE TREE CANOPY OVER CENTER AISLE
PRESENTS ACCESS CHALLENGES
BIKE STORAGE NOT PERMITTED
(COULD IMPEDE ACCESS)
SECURITY CAMERA IN CLOCK TOWER
(NOT HOOKED UP)
TREE LIMBS IMPEDE ACCESS TO UPPER STORY
WINDOWS
TREE LIMBS IMPEDE ACCESS TO UPPER STORY
WINDOWS
NO ISSUE WITH LIGHT LOCATIONS PLANTERS IMPEDE FIRE TRUCK
TURNING MOVEMENTSP87 IV.A.
82 | Site Analysis
OFFICE PANERAI AUDEMAR’S OMNIBUS
GREEN DRAGON
HYMAN AVENUE BLOCK FACE
BUILDING FRONTAGES
BUILDING FRONTAGES
ASPEN T-SHIRT GREEN DRAGON ART TEE GALLLERYP88
IV.A.
83
HOPS CULTURE ANNETTE’SMONCLER CHA CHA SALON
CHA CHA
SALON MONCLER
The frontage edge conditions vary on the Mall.
The north side of Hyman has the greatest
variation, however, redevelopment of two
buildings could change the edge conditions. All
but two buildings on the south side are proposed
for redevelopment.
Retail frontages on Hyman benefit from visibility
to storefront windows. The restaurants benefit
from outdoor seating arrangements. SEE SECTION6
CLUB MONACOCALYPSOMAGASIN SOTHEBY’SP89 IV.A.
84 | Site Analysis
BASALT BIKE AND SKI AETHER ALL NATURAL PET
THE NORTH FACE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
CHOCOLATE
FACTORY
KJUS SHOP
IN SHOP
GORSUCH
ASPEN SPORTS
COOPER AVENUE BLOCK FACE
BUILDING FRONTAGES
BUILDING P90IV.A.
85
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
CHOCOLATE
FACTORY
THE RED ONION TESLA JITROIS KEMO SABE
PISMO ART GALLERY CASA TUA
Cooper sees a great deal of frontage variation.
Two buildings are proposed for redevelopment.
Retail frontages on Cooper benefit from visibility
to storefront windows. SEE SECTION2
P91IV.A.
86 | Site Analysis
29.57'
URBAN TYPOLOGY SECTIONS
1
2
3
PARK PLANTED PEDESTRIAN ALLEY PRIVATE PED.PED.STREET
FLOOR
FLOOR
FLOOR THREE
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR ONE
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR ONE
PEDES-PLANTED PLANTED PEDES-SEATING SEATING
DITCH DITCH
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR ONE
FLOOR ONE
PEDES-PEDES-PEDES-PEDES-PEDES-PLANTED PLANTED PLANTED
32 FEET 12 FEET17 FEET 6’5’4’
27 FEET 5’8.5’9’4’8.5’5’27 FEET
11’5’17’5’18’5’10’5’7’
PEDESTRIAN ALLEY
HYMAN AVE
MILL ST BOSQUEP92
IV.A.
87
29.57'29.57'4
5
6
PLANTED
PEDES-PLANTED PLANTEDPEDES-PLAZA
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR ONE
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR ONE
FLOOR THREE
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR ONE
FLOOR THREE
FLOOR TWO
FLOOR ONE
PLANTED PLANTEDPEDES-PEDES-PEDES-
PEDES-PEDES-PLANTEDSEATING
DITCH
PLANTED SEATING
DITCH
60 FEET27 FEET30 FEET 6 FEET 6 FEET
5’5’21 FEET 27 FEET30 FEET
27 FEET 5’8.5’9’4’8.5’5’27 FEET
SISTER CITIES PLAZA
GALENA BOSQUE
COOPER AVEP93 IV.A.
88 | Site AnalysisP94 IV.A.
89
PROGRAMMING, PLACEMAKING, +
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCEP95 IV.A.
90 | Site Analysis
CREATING A GREAT DESTINATION
A great destination has at least 10 places within it, each with 10
things to do.
To be successful, cities need destinations. They need destinations
that give an identity and image to their communities, and that
help attract new residents, businesses, and investment. But
they also need strong community destinations for people to go
to. A destination might be a downtown square, a main street, a
waterfront, a park, or a museum. Cities of all sizes should have at
least 10 destinations where people want to be. What makes each
destination successful is that it has multiple places within it. For
example, a square needs at least 10 places: a café, a children’s
play area, a place to read the paper or drink a cup of coffee, a
place to sit, somewhere to meet friends, or more. Within each of
the places, there should be at least 10 things to do. Cumulatively,
these activities, places and destinations are what make a great city.
PPS calls this big idea the “Power of 10.”
It is the role of Placemakers to encourage everyone to think about
what’s special in their communities. How many quality places are
located nearby, and how are they connected? Are there places that
should be more meaningful but aren’t? Answering these questions
can help residents and stakeholders determine—both individually
and collectively—where they need to focus their energies.
The Power of 10 offers an easy framework that motivates
residents and stakeholders to revitalize urban life, and it shows that
by starting efforts at the smallest scale you can accomplish big
things. The concept also provides people with something tangible
to strive for and helps them visualize what it takes to make their
community great.
The City of Aspen is blessed with more than ten great destinations
and the Aspen Pedestrian Mall is one of the best. The mall currently
is a powerful demonstration of the “Power of Ten” and PPS has
often used it to show other cities a model of good Placemaking.
In thinking about rebuilding the Aspen Pedestrian Mall, and it
is important to understand what is working now and should be
preserved, and what can be improved. Even Aspen can make
improvements!
POWER OF 10+P96IV.A.
91
Wheeler
Opera
House
RETAIL ZONE GALENA PLAZA
WAGNER PARK
MILL
STREET
GATEWAY
MUSIC
Popcorn
Dancing Fountain
Playground
Restrooms
Sister Cities
Fountain
Fire Pit
Info Kiosk
COOPER AVENUE
Info Kiosk
EXISTING PLACEMAKING ACTIVATION
• The Mall has a variety of user groups; visitors/
tourists, workforce, youth, families and
downtown residents.
• Visitors and tourists are should be the primary
focus of the Mall’s events and activities.
• The existing levels of day-to-day programming
are appropriate. Outdoor dining, informal musical
performances of the Aspen Music school and
limited food and beverage carts are appropriate
and add vitality to the Mall.
• The restrooms are located in an appropriate
place.
• The playground is appropriate as is.
• Better management of the Mall’s existing
programming is desired.
• Additional programming is not desired, and the
Mall’s renovation will not plan for additions in
the future. FOOD & PLAYMILL STREET PEDESTRIAN MALLFOOD & BEVERAGE
HYMAN AVENUE
P97IV.A.
92 | Site Analysis
ALLE
Y
ALLE
Y
WAGN
E
R
P
A
R
K
DURA
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E
HYMA
N
A
V
E
N
U
E
E DU
R
A
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E MILL STREETN
0’100’50’25’
scale 1”=50’
POWER OF TEN
7
5
6
3
2
4
1
1
2
3
4
CAFE
PLAYGROUND
CAFE
RESTROOMS
HISTORIC INFORMATION
SISTER CITIES PLAZA
WAGNER PARK OVERLOOK
PEDESTRIAN PATH TO DURANT AVENUE
RUBEY PARK BUS STATION
5
8
6
9
7
8
9
In the summer, the playground is a popular destination all day
long and triangulates nicely with the outdoor restaurant nearby:
adults can enjoy a glass of wine while watching their kids play.
The restroom building clusters with the Sister Cities Plaza and the
clocktower, a focal point in the downtown, while also providing
panels that describe the history of Aspen. In the winter, Mill Street
becomes a focus of the Winterskol activities and ice sculpting
contests. The Durant Avenue entrance, however, is barely visible
from the street as it is obscured by the bus entrance to Rubey
Park. Little activity can be seen from Durant because of inactive
ground floors and limited seating at the south end of the mall.
MILL STREET PEDESTRIAN MALL
MILL STREETHYMAN AVENUEP98
IV.A.
93
1 2 4
5 6 7P99 IV.A.
94 | Site Analysis
N
0’
ALLE
Y
ALLE
Y
WAGN
E
R
P
A
R
K
DURA
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E
HYMA
N
A
V
E
N
U
E
E DU
R
A
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E MILL STREET100’50’25’
scale 1”=50’
5
3
2 4
1
6
POWER OF TEN
1
2
3
4
WHEELER OPERA HOUSE
POPCORN CART
INFORMATION KIOSK
SPRAY FOUNTAIN
CAFE
CAFE
5
6
The corner of Mill Street and Hyman Avenue presents a lively
scene to passersby: the well-loved “Dancing Fountain,” the
colorful popcorn cart and an information kiosk that describes
what’s happening in Aspen. Lush planting and movable seating
offer an inviting and beautiful place to linger.
MILL STREET GATEWAY
MILL STREETHYMAN AVENUE
P100IV.A.
95
1 2
3 4P101 IV.A.
96 | Site Analysis
0’
ALLE
Y
ALLE
Y
WAGN
E
R
P
A
R
K
DURA
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E
HYMA
N
A
V
E
N
U
E
E DU
R
A
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E MILL STREET100’50’25’
scale 1”=50’
POWER OF TEN
1
4
2
3 61
5
1
2
3
4
SEATING AREA
RETAIL STOREFRONTS
OUTDOOR BARS
OUTDOOR CAFES
OUTDOOR BAR
FOUNTAIN
5
6
5
In the summer, Hyman becomes a lively bar scene with lounges
and a beer garden in the median, and bars even hanging off of
buildings. The entrance to Hyman from Mill Street is somewhat
obscured by a jumble of parked bikes and a cluster of trash/
recycling receptacles. Tables in the median make it unpassable for
pedestrians, but open up a clear path in front of retail storefronts.
HYMAN AVENUE
HYMAN AVENUEGALENA STREETMILL STREETP102IV.A.
97
1 2 3
4 5 5P103 IV.A.
98 | Site Analysis
N
0’
ALLE
Y
ALLE
Y
WAGN
E
R
P
A
R
K
DURA
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E
HYMA
N
A
V
E
N
U
E
E DU
R
A
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E MILL STREET100’50’25’
scale 1”=50’
POWER OF TEN
3
2
1
2
3
SEATING IN MEDIAN
THE RED ONION
RETAIL
1
3
The Cooper Avenue Pedestrian Mall is quieter than Hyman and
except for the Red Onion, has little in the way of outdoor dining.
Retailers line the outside paths and seating invites people to
linger in the median. There is little evidence of the retail activity
from afar as there are few visible displays or perpendicular signs.
COOPER AVENUE
COOPER AVENUE GALENA STREETMILL STREETP104IV.A.
99
1
2
1P105 IV.A.
100 | Site Analysis
N scale 1”=100’
0’100’50’25’
POWER OF TEN
3
5
4
2
1
2
3
4
CAFE
INFORMATION KIOSK
OUTDOOR TABLES & CHAIRS
FIRE PIT
BAKERY PLAZA (CONCERTS)
SEATING IN MEDIAN
51
1
6
Galena Street Plaza has a lively node of activity at the
corner of Cooper and Galena. With a staffed information
kiosk, movable chairs and tables, a firepit and outdoor
cafes flanking the Cooper Avenue Mall. However, the
Galena Street entrance from Durant Avenue does not
beckon people into the mall and offers limited seating.
GALENA STREET PLAZA
6
COOPER AVENUE GALENA STREETP106IV.A.
101
2 3
5 6P107 IV.A.
102 | Site Analysis
N
0’
ALLE
Y
ALLE
Y
WAGN
E
R
P
A
R
K
DURA
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E
HYMA
N
A
V
E
N
U
E
E DU
R
A
N
T
A
V
E
N
U
E MILL STREET100’50’25’
scale 1”=50’
POWER OF TEN
Wagner Park becomes a lively destination throughout the year with
the many events it hosts: The Food and Wine Classic, Ruggerfest
and the Motherlode Classic, just to name a few. It is also a favorite
place for informal soccer games and Frisbee tossing. The edge of
Wagner Park on Mill Street presents a wonderful opportunity for
observers to watch the many events, whether formal or informal,
from comfortable lounge chairs or bleachers.
EXISTING PLACEMAKING ACTIVATION
WAGNER PARKP108
IV.A.
103
Ruggerfest
Motherlode Volleyball Classic
P109IV.A.
104 | Site Analysis
WINTER EVENTS SUMMER EVENTS
EVENT MAP
WAGNER PARK
Glowman Rail Jam
Glow in the Park
Fat Bike Town Ride
Winterfest
Aspen Snowmass
Bonfire & DJ
COOPER AVE MALL
Santa & Live Reindeer
Make your own S’Mores
MILL STREET MALL
Wintersculpt
Winterfest
WAGNER PARK
Food & Wine Pros
Motherlode Volleyball Classic
Ruggerfest
4th of July
Festivities
MILL STREET MALL
Dancing in the Streets
Ducky Derby Sales
MONARCH STREET
Aspen Arts Festival
P110IV.A.
105
DOWNTOWN EVENTS WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE
JANUARY
Winter Skol ACRA January, 4 days
Wintersculpt Ice sculpting contest Mill Street
Glowman Rail Jam Wagner Park
Glow in the Park Wagner Park
Winterfest Wagner/Mill Street
Canine Fashion Show Mill Street
Fat Bike Town Ride Wagner Park
Gay Ski Week Week long event January, 7 days Everywhere
MARCH
World Cup Village Aspen Snowmass Parties, concerts March, 5 days Wagner Park
JUNE
Food & Wine Classic Food & Wine Pros ACRA "Convention"June, 3 days Wagner Park
JULY
Old Fashioned 4th of July ACRA 4th of July
Kid's Carnival Paepcke Park
Kids' Bicycle Decorating Paepcke Park
Parade Main Street
Picnic Koch Park
BBQ Sky Hotel
Dancing in the Streets Music and dance Mill St. Ped Mall
Aspen Arts Festival ACRA + Howard Alan Events Festival July, 2 days Monarch St.
AUGUST
Ducky Derby Sales Rotary Club of Aspen Fundraiser August Aspen Ped. Mall
SEPTEMBER
Motherlode Volleyball Classic Beach Volleyball Classis Labor Day Weekend Wagner & Koch Parks
Ruggerfest Rugby Tournament Sept. 4 days Wagner Park
DECEMBER
12 Days of Aspen ACRA Holiday festival
Free Family Skating Party Dec. 20 - 31 Silver Circle Ice Rink
Santa & Live Reindeer Cooper Ae. Mall
Aspen Film Academy Screenings Wheeler Opera House
Carriage ride with Santa Downtown
Santa's Sleigh Tour Downtown
A Christmas Carol Wheeler Opera House
Make Your Own S'Mores Cooper Ave. Mall Fire Pit
Bonfire & DJ Wagner Park
Fireworks Downtown
OTHER
Saturday Market City of Aspen Produce and crafts marketJune 17-October 7 E. Hopkins/S. Hunter
Ducky Derby Rotary Club of Aspen Fundraiser August 1 day Rio Grande Park
World Snow Polo Championships December, 3 days Rio Grande Park
Winter X Games Winter sports and concertsJanuary, 4 days Buttermilk
EVENT LIST
P111IV.A.
106 | Site AnalysisP112 IV.A.
107
GROUNDPLANE + FURNISHINGS + CANOPYP113 IV.A.
108 | Site Analysis
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
scale 1”=100’N
BRICKS ON THE MALL
The 500,000 reclaimed historic bricks purchased
by the City of Aspen to surface the mall were
manufactured around 1900 for streets in St.
Louis, Missouri. The mall only needed 320,000
bricks. The extra 180,000 were stored to be
used for repairs and in case the mall was ever
expanded. After years of maintenance, 30,000
bricks are left. This equates to about three years
more maintenance.
1
2
Brick Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from
Poston Block, Thens Block, and Culver Block.
Culver Block also serves as the eges of patterns
on CORNERS.
Brick Types on CORNERS are Culver Block on
the edges of pattern and Egyptian Blocks and
Ind. Blocks in the center.
PATTERN TYPE 1
CORNER TYPOLOGY
PATTERN TYPE 2
PATH TYPOLOGY
1
2
1
1 1
2
ALLEY B
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY A
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CEN-
E DURANT AVENUEP114 IV.A.
109
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
Poston Block
Thens Block
Culver
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
Purple Red/Orange
Dark Purple Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
Green Dark Red / Orange
Red
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
ASPEN PEDESTRIAN MALL
BRICKS
Types in middle of BLOCKS vary from Poston Block, Th ens Block, and Culver Block.
Th ens Block Culver Block
Poston Block Purple
Dark Purple
Red/Orange
Orange
Green
Red
Dark Red and Orange
Ind. Block
Egyptian Block
Center of Pattern:
Edge of Pattern:
Types on CORNERS are Colver Block and unknown in the edges of pattern and Egyptian Blocks and Ind.
Blocks in the center.
Culver Block
Red
Purple
Purple
Orange/Tan
Green RedDark Red and Orange
Ind.
Egyptian
Ind. Block
Egyptian Block
Center of Pattern:
Edge of Pattern:
Types on CORNERS are Colver Block and unknown in the edges of pattern and Egyptian Blocks and Ind.
Blocks in the center.
Culver Block
Red
Purple
Purple
Orange/Tan
Green RedDark Red and Orange
VARIATIONS / DETAILSDRAWING
Purple Orange / Tan
Red Purple
Ind. Block
Egyptian Block
Center of Pattern:
Edge of Pattern:
Types on CORNERS are Colver Block and unknown in the edges of pattern and Egyptian Blocks and Ind.
Blocks in the center.
Culver Block
Red
Purple
Purple
Orange/Tan
Green RedDark Red and Orange
Ind. Block
Egyptian Block
Center of Pattern:
Edge of Pattern:
Types on CORNERS are Colver Block and unknown in the edges of pattern and Egyptian Blocks and Ind.
Blocks in the center.
Culver Block
Red
Purple
Purple
Orange/Tan
Green RedDark Red and Orange
Ind. Block Egyptian BlockCenter of Pattern:
Edge of Pattern:
Types on CORNERS are Colver Block and unknown in the edges of pattern and Egyptian Blocks and Ind. Blocks in the center.
Culver Block
Red
Purple
Purple
Orange/Tan
Green RedDark Red and Orange
Ind. Block Egyptian BlockCenter of Pattern:
Edge of Pattern:
Types on CORNERS are Colver Block and unknown in the edges of pattern and Egyptian Blocks and Ind. Blocks in the center.
Culver Block
Red
Purple
Purple
Orange/Tan
Green RedDark Red and Orange
TYPE
EDGESCENTER
1
2
HISTORIC DRAWING
PATTERN TYPE 1
CORNER TYPOLOGY
PATTERN TYPE 2
PATH TYPOLOGYP115 IV.A.
110 | Site Analysis
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
LEGEND
scale 1”=100’N
Mulch 2,139 SF
83% of the current ground plane is brick. The
bricks unify and knit the different building
frontages together on the Mall. They have been
described by the City of Aspen Partners and
Stakeholder groups as a key contributor to the
historic character.
The Mall is 88% impervious. In LEED’s
Sustainable Sites Rating System, a required
strategy in Section 3.1, “Manage precipitation
on site,” is to “Implement strategies to increase
evapotranspiration, filtration and infiltration, and
mitigate elevated water temperatures caused by
contact with impervious surfaces.”
GROUND TYPE INVENTORY
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY B
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY A
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CENTER
Concrete
Sod
Water Fountains
Annuals + Perennials
Brick 120,199 SF
4,374 SF
14.345 SF
2,270 SF
356 SF
Structures 2,670 SF
Pervious Area
Impervious Area 127,153 SF
(88%)
16,971 SF
(12%)P116IV.A.
111
L E GE N D
Lighting
Trash Bins
Benches + Seating
Recycle
Bike Racks
Drinking Fountains
Newspaper Stands
Emergency Call Boxes
Flexible Tables + Chairs
Privatized Areas
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
LEGEND
Trash Bins
Benches + Seating
SITE FURNISHINGS
N
Recycle
Bike Racks
Drinking Fountains
Newspaper Stands
Flexible/Movable Tables + Chairs
Privatized Areas
Bus Stop
Seating on the Mall is a mix of flexible and
integrated seating opportunities. Flexible/
movable seating, tables and chairs, were added
in 2004 in an effort to bring greater vitality to the
Mall. According to the City of Aspen Partners,
some integrated seating options could be
explored.
The City of Aspen Partners and Stakeholders
find bike storage on the Mall to be unsatisfactory.
Bikes are chained to trees and bike racks are
often full. Riding a bike through the Mall is not
permitted, however, enforcement is low.
The center aisle of Hyman is converted to
outdoor seating in the summer months. The
City’s Clerks office reviews lease of this space
for adjacent restaurants.
To accomodate electrical needs in the middle of
the Mall, cords are connected to adjacent light
posts. This is a safety concern.
Fountain
Utility Box
ALLEY B
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY A
E DURANT AVENUE
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CENTERP117 IV.A.
112 | Site Analysis
Dancing Fountain, 1979
DANCING FOUNTAIN
Created by the late computer wizard Nick
DeWolf and a local sculptor Travis Fulton, the
famed dancing fountain on the Hyman Avenue
mall is a popular summer playground for children
and adults. The fountain was built in 1979 and
the Big Splash inauguration was in the early
summer of 1980. On July 31st 2010 the fountain
celebrated it’s 30th year in operation.
Ki DavisFountain, 2010
KI DAVIS FOUNTAIN
Built in 1979, the Ki Davis Fountain sits at the
intersection of Hyman and Galena. Its concrete
base was repaired in 2009 after 20 years of
wear and tear.
Dancing Fountain, 1979
Ki DavisFountain repairs, 2009
FOUNTAINS
P118IV.A.
113
Fire Hearth, 2010
Fire Hearth Section, 2005
Restroom, 2015
Kiosk, 2014
CONTEMPORARY ADDITIONS
The fire hearth, kiosk, and restrooms were
all added between 2005 and 2012. Each has
become an integral part of the functional aspects
of the Mall.
FIRE HEARTH, KIOSK + RESTROOM
P119IV.A.
114 | Site Analysis
Ice Sculptures
See No Evil Sculpture
Cubic Sculptures
Ki Davis Sculpture
ART | SCULPTURES
ART | SCULPTURES
Art has been incorporated into the fabric
of the Pedestrian Mall since its installation.
Sometimes permanent and sometimes fleeting
(the ice sculptures), sculptures range from cubic
modernist styles, to whimsical pieces.P120IV.A.
115
Wagner Park Playground, 2014
Twisting Seat Hanging Monkey Bars Boulder Slide
Hammock
WAGNER PARK PLAYGROUND
WAGNER PARK PLAYGROUND
Adjacent to Wagner Park is a large public
restroom facility, and a very popular playground
area within the pedestrian walking mall. It was
built in 2002.P121IV.A.
116 | Site Analysis
LIGHTING
The Aspen Pedestrian Mall lighting inventory
was completed on January 12, 2017 by Clanton
& Associates. The site visit occurred during the
first week of Winterskol, when the walkways
were snow packed, holiday lights were turned
on, snow sculptures were being carved, and
the sky was overcast. During the site visit it
was noted that the holiday lighting provided
high levels of illumination along the walkways,
whereas the central walkways underneath
the tree canopy were dimly lighted by the
pedestrian poles. The walkways edges were
well illuminated by ambient lighting from retail
windows and additional facade lighting.
The luminaires along each facade varied by
venue. Some establishments installed modern
LED cylindrical downlights, while other venues
were lighted by glary, PAR floodlights. The
holiday lights strung in the trees along the
Pedestrian Mall were as diverse as the facade
lighting, ranging from colored sting lights to
white LEDs, glowing orbs, and icicles. This
variety of facade and holiday lighting created an
eclectic appearance throughout the mall.
At night, a pedestrian plaza should be lighted
to 0.5 footcandles (fc) to allow visitors to see
when they are walking and identify other people
on the path, without over lighting the space.
Light levels are often found to be greater during
the winter due to light reflection off of the
snow. Light measurements were taken during
the site visit to determine whether additional
light is needed. Measurements taken along the
walkways with bright, holiday lights such as Mill
Street, were 0.65 fc. Measurements taken in
the tree colonnade between pedestrian poles,
along Cooper Avenue, resulted in light levels
less than 0.10 fc. Due to this, it was determined
that additional lighting should be installed along
the tree colonnade to create an appropriately
lighted nighttime environment.
FROSTED LENS
Several of the luminaires located in the Aspen Pedestrian
mall have decorative, frosted lens. These lens have
retained the soft glow that enhances the natural
ambience of the space.
LED LIGHT SOURCE
New LED lamps are thought to have been installed in
the luminaires with frosted lens. These LED lamps have
a longer life span than metal halide lamps, compact
fluorescent lamps, or incandescent lamps. The LEDs also
consume less energy than the legacy products, resulting
in lower maintenance and energy costs.
PRISMATIC LENS
Some prismatic lensed luminaires are located throughout
the Pedestrian Mall. These lenses are intended to aim
more useful light along the walking path instead of into
the sky or the surrounding trees.
LED LIGHT SOURCE
New LED lamps are thought to have been installed in
the luminaires with frosted lens. These LED lamps have
a longer life span than metal halide lamps, compact
fluorescent lamps, or incandescent lamps. The LEDs also
consume less energy than the legacy products, resulting
in lower maintenance and energy costs.
INDIRECT REFLECTOR
There are four pedestrian poles with indirect reflectors
located along E. Cooper Avenue. These reflectors
limit the amount of uplight spilled into the night
sky. Since the light bounces off the reflector before
being directed towards the ground, the reflector is an
uncomfortable glare source at night.
METAL HALIDE LIGHT SOURCE
Over time the color temperature of the metal halide
light source has shifted, the light produced appears
green. It is recommended that the existing luminaire
be replaced with a new decorative LED luminaire
that matches the other post top luminaires in the
Pedestrian Mall.P122IV.A.
117
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
TRIPLE POST TOP LUMINAIRE
These triple post top luminaires are beacons that welcome visitors
to the Pedestrian Mall. Along with denoting the limits of the mall,
these luminaires provide extra illuminance along the edge plazas.
SINGLE HEAD POST TOP LUMINAIRE
Single head post top luminaires line the central corridor along the
Pedestrian Mall. These luminaires provide a comfortable glow that
leads visitors through the mall.
E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CENTERP123 IV.A.
118 | Site Analysis
CANOPY
P124IV.A.
119
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
LEGEND
scale 1”=100’N
TREE SPECIES INVENTORY
Quaking Aspen
Crabapple
Green Ash
Cottonwood
Blue Spruce
Mountain Ash
Silver Maple
Englemann Maple
Chokecherry
Sub Alpine Fir
Norway Maple
Maple Hybrid
Birch
Rocky Mountain Fir
Quaking Aspen
Crabapple
Green Ash
Blue Spruce
Cottonwood
Other
16
19
22
20
47
36
Quaking Aspen
Crabapple
Green Ash
Blue Spruce
Cottonwood
Mountain Ash
Silver Maple
Englemann Maple
Chokecherry
Norway Maple
Maple Hybrid
Birch
Rocky Mountain Fir
Sub Alpine Fir
The trees on the Mall are managed by the
City’s municipal code and the City of Aspen
Community Forest Management Plan, 2007.
The existing condition on the Mall will require
the removal of some trees on a yearly basis
due to declining health or poor planting space.
For the Mall Improvements Project, these trees
should be removed now. Assuming the existing
condition will remain, quaking aspen, narrowleaf
cottonwood, and Colorado blue spruce trees
should be planted back in a “natural” design
(on Cooper and Hyman) as approved by the City
Forester. The new narrowleaf cottonwood and
Colorado blue spruce trees will require larger
planting spaces. This can be accomplished by
improving and widening greenspaces and/or the
addition of structural cells in approved areas.
If this cannot be accomplished, then only the
widest parts of the Mall planting strips should
be allocated for these species.
The removal of trees 885, 206, 387, 182, 843,
882, 1390, and 1394 will be permitted for this
project. These trees all have significant health
issues that will lead to mortality. All of them
would likely have been permitted for removal in
the next 1-5 years. The removal of trees 298,
354, 184, 853, 1326, 1334, 830, 2778, 1415,
1338, 893, 894, and 2779 may be permitted for
removal for this project, but will be determined
by construction requirements. These trees
would likely have been permitted in the next
5-10 years because they are in confined growing
spaces or have structural issues. Additional
trees requested for removal will be evaluated on
a case by case basis and may require mitigation.
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CENTER
ALLEY B
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY A
E DURANT AVENUE
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETP125IV.A.
120 | Site AnalysisP126 IV.A.
121
STORMWATER + UTILITIESP127 IV.A.
122 | Site Analysis
The Aspen Pedestrian Mall has the opportunity to enhance the City’s “Green” reputation through
innovative stormwater management during the mall’s redevelopment. Currently, the limits of the mall,
both public and private, do not receive stormwater management. Also, buildings do not have underground
storm connections. Each new development will be required to provide water quality which could create
further limits to their construction into the wall. Bringing the plaza into compliance with the Urban Runoff
Management Plan will improve the water quality in the Roaring Fork River and Aspen Mountain Drainage
Basin as well as showcase aesthetic and effective stormwater solutions for a downtown, urban area.
The stormwater management approach for the Pedestrian Mall must be multi-faceted and support the
public realm; pedestrian access and circulation; approachability of shops and restaurants; the urban
forest tree canopy; and work within the constraints of below grade utility requirements. The project
acknowledges the many challenges of a site in the urban core of the City of Aspen. The obstacles are
outlined clearly in Chapter 8 of the City of Aspen’s Urban Runoff Management Plan and are copied below
for reference.
While the guidelines of the Urban Runoff Management Plan are extensive, the key elements for the
Aspen Pedestrian Mall are to provide Water Quality Treatment for 0.26 Watershed Inches at 100%
impervious drainage areas. Infiltration is highly encouraged where feasible (on site soils are Hydrologic
Soil Group B or C, to be confirmed with geotechnical investigation in Spring of 2017). The Project is
outside of the city areas required to provide detention and to mitigate mud flows.
STORMWATER + UTILITIES STORMWATER MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY
CONDITION BMP CHALLENGE
Cold Temperatures
• Pipe freezing, in some cases even at locations where there is flowing
water that is slowed by a transition such as a bend
• Ice-cover on permanent water surfaces
• Reduced biological activity
• Reduced oxygen levels during ice cover
• Reduced settling velocities
• Diurnal cycle of melting and freezing in winter and spring
• Mid-winter warm ups and runoff
Deep Frost Line • Frost heaving
• Reduced soil infiltration
Short Growing
Season
• Short time period to establish vegetation
• Different plant species appropriate to cold climates than moderate climates
Significant
Snowfall
• High runoff volumes during snowmelt and rain-on-snow
• High pollutant loads during spring melt
• Sand applied to some roads and walks for improved traction
• Snow management may affect BMP storage
Sanding Practices • Heavy sediment load
Steep Slopes
• Rapid runoff
• Potentially high “background” levels of erosion
• Potential for mudflows and debris flows
• Significant runoff from Aspen Mountain through the City
Resort Setting
• High land value creates space limitations for BMPs
• Large portion of development occurs as redevelopment—space constraints
and dense development
• Need for attractive BMPs
• Aspen’s “green” reputation—need to conduct development in an
environmentally-sensitive manner and desire to integrate “green” BMPs
when feasible
STUDY BOUNDARYP128
IV.A.
123
WATER QUALITY TREATMENT
The following matrices outline the “Best Management Practice (BMP) Toolkit” for the Aspen Pedestrian Mall. The BMPs identified with a green dot
as “Highly Applicable”in the matrix below have been selected by the City of Aspen as favorable systems for our project type. Additionally BMPs
were proposed by Sherwood Design Engineers while meeting with the City of Aspen January 25th, 2017 and received initial acceptance. The BMPs
prioritized for site development include:
• Pervious Pavement;
• Bioretention;
• Modular Suspended Pavement System;
• Sedimentation / Underground Filtration (Infiltration Chambers);
• Hydrodynamic Separators; and
• High Rate Filtration Media.
Site design measures will include:
• Reducing and disconnecting impervious areas; and
• Preserving and planting trees to maximize tree canopies.
Source control measures that prevent pollutant discharge and runoff at the source, and keep pollutants from coming into contact with stormwater will
also be employed and incorporated into the stormwater management strategy. Examples of these measures include:
• Roofed trash enclosures (this should be a requirement on private property adjacent to the alleys);
• Connecting areas used for washing equipment to the sanitary sewer;
• Marking storm drain inlets with a “No Dumping” message;
• Street sweeping; and
• Regular inspection and cleaning of storm drain inlets.
PROS:CONS:
Pervious
Pavement
• Does not use valuable real estate
• Treats and retains runoff
• Could be used at greater than 1:1
ratio, accepting some roof runoff
• Could be used with snow-melt
system
• Can not be used in areas that are
sanded
• Less effective in the winter when
infiltration rates are decreased
• Cost
• May require special snow removal
techniques
Bioretention • Provides treatment and may retain
stormwater
• Can be used as a snow storage
location in the winter
• Visible green infrastructure, tells a
story
• More space intensive than other
options
• May not be used in areas that are
sanded
• Plants potentially harmed with winter
snow storage
• Can require substantial maintenance
to meet aesthetic requirements
Suspended
Pavement
• Does not use valuable real estate
• Not only treats but infiltrates runoff
• Proven effective for use with existing
and new trees
• Renovate existing soils adjacent
to existing large trees to improve
survival rates
• Improves new tree growth
• Effectiveness drops significantly
during the winter months due to
dormant plants and decreased
infiltration while ground is frozen.
• Sediment can build and without
proper maintenance, infiltration can
be greatly decreased
Underground
Filtration /
Infiltration
Chambers
• Does not use valuable real estate
• Treats and retains runoff
• Less effective in the winter when
infiltration rates are decreased
• Can interfere with the location of
other utilities
Hydrodynamic
Separators
• Does not use valuable real estate • Does not provide retention
• Requires frequent inspection and
maintenance
• Not visible, does not tell
sustainability story
High Rate
Filtration
• Significantly reduced footprint
compared with traditional
bioretention media systems
• Visible green infrastructure, tells a
story
• May require increased inspection and
maintenance when compared with
traditional bioretention
STORMWATER + UTILITIES
*Note the Pedestrian Mall does not use sanding or chemical processes for snow removal
Rio Grande Park Plan Rio Grande Park Stormwater DetentionRio Grande Park RestroomsP129 IV.A.
124 | Site Analysis
STORMWATER + UTILITIES STORMWATER DISTRICT
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
Bioretention Area (Solid)
Drainage Area (Transparent)
LEGEND
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
Bioretention Area (Solid)
Drainage Area (Transparent)
LEGEND
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
Bioretention Area (Solid)
Drainage Area (Transparent)
LEGEND
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
Drainage
Area
Bioretention
Area
Orange 266,900 sf 8,000 sf
Yellow 221,200 sf 6,600 sf
Blue 47,600 sf 1,400 sf
Pink 47,000 sf 1,400 sf
Total 582,700 sf 17,400 sf
Drainage
Area
Bioretention
Area
Orange 48,200 sf 1,400 sf
Yellow 33,300 sf 1,000 sf
Blue 18,000 sf 500 sf
Pink 47,000 sf 1,400 sf
Total 146,500
sf 4,300 sf
APPROXIMATE AREA REQUIRED TO TREAT WATER QUALITY EVENT WITH BIORETENTION
TREAT ONLY THE
PEDESTRIAN MALL
TREAT THE ENTIRE DISTRICT WITHIN
THE PEDESTRIAN MALL
A stormwater district is an approach to rainwater management which requires that private owners
and public agencies work together to determine the most cost-effective, easiest to maintain, and
overall most compatible solution to stormwater treatment requirements.
Particularly in heavily urbanized areas stormwater management can be very challenging for business
and residential owners because properties are often built up to the lot line and do not have the space
for performative landscape features to treat stormwater. This requires either complex treatment
strategies such as green roofs or rainwater harvesting, or utilizing treatment systems which are more
traditional and not considered Low Impact Development (LID) BMPs (such as mechanical treatment
and stormwater pumps). These mechanical systems use more energy and are more suspectable to
failure than their passive counterparts.
Cities have the opportunity to treat both public and private runoff in public open spaces, such as the
Pedestrian Mall, which may be able to utilize LID strategies more easily than when considering the
spaces separately. This type of stormwater district would be nationally recognized as an innovative
approach to providing water quality treatment of runoff, while also making development for business
owners more simple.
However, it does have challenges- including determining the proper in-lieu payment strategies for
future private development, and permitting challenges that arise from pioneering a new strategy.
Three scenarios have been outlined within this section:
Option 1| Aspirational - considers a stormwater district where all runoff is treated through LID BMPs
and prioritizes an infiltration based strategy
Option 2 | Innovative Baseline - Considers a stormwater district where runoff from the plaza spaces
are treated through LID BMPs, however, the private parcels and alleyways are treated through a
hydrodynamic separator.
Option 3| Business as Usual - considers only treating the Pedestrian Mall using LID BMPs and
assumes that owners will treat stormwater on-site in the future as properties redevelop.
The business as usual approach is the minimum required by code and on its own would improve
upon the existing conditions. However, because the City has the opportunity to improve conditions
for the entire area as part of this project it should be thoroughly evaluated. The following pages
outline these conceptual approaches and the pros and cons of each. P130IV.A.
125
STORMWATER + UTILITIES
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
Project Boundary
Treated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Infiltration Gallery
Storm Drain from
Private Parcels
LEGEND:
OPTION 1: ASPIRATIONAL
STORMWATER DISTRICT
DECENTRALIZED LID TREATMENT WITHIN THE MALL FOR BOTH
THE PEDESTRIAN MALL, ALLEYS AND PRIVATE PARCELS
Pros:
• Model project to be emulated nationally
• Business owners can more easily develop within the mall
Cons:
• Additional green infrastructure within public space
• Some additional up-front capital costs
• Additional maintenance annually
• In-Lieu fee structure must be analyzed carefully
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
Project Boundary
Treated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Infiltration Gallery
Storm Drain from
Private Parcels
LEGEND:
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
Project Boundary
Treated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Infiltration Gallery
Storm Drain from
Private Parcels
LEGEND:
Possible District Boundary (Public ROW)
Private Parcels Managed within the Public ROW
Bioretention*
Infiltration Chamber*
Storm Drain from Private Parcels
*Design to be determined - shown for conceptual
purposes only
LEGENDP131 IV.A.
126 | Site Analysis
STORMWATER + UTILITIES
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SD SD SD SD SDSD
Project Boundary
Untreated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Storm Drain
LEGEND:
Storm Drain Junction
SD Off-Site Storm Drain
Hydrodynamic Separator
OPTION 2: INNOVATIVE BASELINE
STORMWATER DISTRICT
NON-LID TREATMENT FOR PRIVATE PARCELS
DECENTRALIZED LID TREATMENT FOR THE PEDESTRIAN MALL AND
ALLEYS
Pros:
• Provides treatment for private parcels rather than each developer installing a system
individually
• Likely the lowest cost overall, with developer costs considered
• Simplest approach when private development considered
Cons:
• More conventional approach than utilizing decentralized LID treatment
• In-lieu fee structure must be analyzed carefully
• May make it less likely that a private parcel will employ innovative approaches to
stormwater management, such as a green roof or rainwater harvesting
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SD SD SD SD SDSD
Project Boundary
Untreated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Storm Drain
LEGEND:
Storm Drain Junction
SD Off-Site Storm Drain
Hydrodynamic Separator
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
Project Boundary
Treated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Infiltration Gallery
Storm Drain from
Private Parcels
LEGEND:
Possible District Boundary (Public ROW)
Route to Municipal Storm Drain
Bioretention*
Storm Drain
Off-Site Storm Drain
Storm Drain Junction
Hydrodynamic Separator
*Design to be determined - shown for conceptual
purposes only
LEGENDP132
IV.A.
127
OPTION 3: BUSINESS AS USUAL
NO STORMWATER DISTRICT
DECENTRALIZED LID TREATMENT FOR THE PEDESTRIAN MALL AND
ALLEYS
ROOF RUNOFF TREATED BY BUSINESS OWNERS
Pros:
• No public-private cross-over
• Lowest capital costs
• Most simple approach for pedestrian mall project
Cons:
• Most conventional approach
• Building roof runoff will likely be treated with mechanical systems and pumps which are
energy intensive, and more likely to fail due to maintenance considerations
• Relies on business owners to maintain
Another option, without creating a full-district, may be to set aside space within the public
realm for business owners to use for stormwater management in the future. An easement
and maintenance agreement would need to be determined in advance.
STORMWATER + UTILITIES
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
SD
Project Boundary
Untreated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Storm Drain
LEGEND:SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SD SD SD SD SDStorm Drain Junction
SD Off-Site Storm Drain
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
SD
Project Boundary
Untreated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Storm Drain
LEGEND:SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSD
SD SD SD SD SDStorm Drain Junction
SD Off-Site Storm Drain
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
Project Boundary
Treated Private Parcels
Bioretention
Infiltration Gallery
Storm Drain from
Private Parcels
LEGEND:
Possible District Boundary (Public ROW)
Untreated Private Parcels
Bioretention*
Storm Drain
Off-Site Storm Drain
Storm Drain Junction
*Design to be determined - shown for
conceptual purposes only
LEGENDP133 IV.A.
128 | Site Analysis
STORMWATER + UTILITIES
INFILTRATION WITH SHALLOW
BIORETENTION
PRECEDENT:
DAVIS COURT, SAN FRANCISCO
Davis Court is a pedestrian friendly vehicular
plaza which features shallow bioretention areas
which are connected to a large stormwater
infiltration chamber below grade via structural
soil.
A slot drain system with shallow bioretention,
and infiltration below walking pathways could
be a beneficial strategy in portions of the Aspen
Pedestrian Mall.
PRECEDENTS + CONCEPTS
P134IV.A.
129
PRECEDENTS + CONCEPTSSTORMWATER + UTILITIES
INFILTRATION WITH SHALLOW BIORETENTION
PRECEDENT: MINT PLAZA, SAN FRANCISCO
Mint plaza is public plaza in which a vehicular roadway was closed to created an activated gathering
space. Stormwater is managed through shallow bioretention areas which are connected to a
stormwater infiltration chamber below grade. A slot drain conveys water to the raingarden and
infiltration area below. A similar system could work well for portions of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall.P135IV.A.
130 | Site Analysis
Silva Cells
Filter Reservoir
Linear Pervious
Paving Strip
1%
1%
PERVIOUS PAVING WITH SUSPENDED PAVING
PRECEDENT:
BANCROFT STREET, BERKELEY CA
Bancroft Street utilized a linear strip of pervious paving to convey
stormwater runoff into a suspended pavement, Silva Cell, system.
This feature allows the water quality storm event to infiltrate to meet
the regulatory requirements while also bringing additional water to
the street trees- providing a healthier tree canopy for shade and rain
interception.
PRECEDENTS + CONCEPTS
P136IV.A.
131
STORMWATER + UTILITIES PRECEDENTS + CONCEPTS
TREATMENT WITHIN ALLEYS
Alleyways are particularly challenging areas
in which to provide low-impact-development
treatment. It may make sense to use a
mechanical system, such as a hydrodynamic
separator, in these spaces. However, a french
drain system with infiltration trench could work
well as long as separation from the adjacent
building is sufficient. Another concept is to use
valley gutters to convey water at the surface and
then treat the runoff in a bulb-out/curb extension
using a high-rate bioretention media system.
It is understood that curb extensions, while
providing a preferable location for stormwater
management, can be challenging for the Streets
Department to maintain. These options will be
considered in coordination with a maintenance
and snow removal plan. The use of high-rate
bioretention media will consider the ability
to maintain and replace the media without
impacting plant health. The City likely will not
want high rate media for street trees.
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
N scale 1”=100’E DURANT AVENUE
ALLEY
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
RUBEY PARK
LEGEND
Project Boundary Area
BASE MAP + STUDY AREA
Bioretention Area (Solid)
Drainage Area (Transparent)
LEGEND
DRAINAGE AREA MARKUP
1/25/17
SD SD SD SD SD SD SD
SD SD SD SD SD SD SD
SD SD SD SD SD SD SD
Hydrodynamic
separators to treat
Alley/Bldg runoff
P137IV.A.
132 | Site Analysis
SNOWMELTSTORMWATER + UTILITIES
The annual snowfall in the Aspen area can be as high as 150 to 200 inches. The Surface Drainage
Master Plan for the City of Aspen suggests that the snow-to-water ratio is set to be eleven (11)
inches of fresh snow equivalent to one (1) inch of water (Master Plan 2001)
Snowmelt and refreezing can lead to many drainage problems:
• Frost heave
• Freezing sewers
• Ice in street gutters
• Inlet clogging
The project team will consider small linear paths for snowmelt near stormwater BMPs. It is important
to consider both drainage and accessibility design as the concern to minimize the chance of ice dam
build up.
Lower-energy options will be considered including geothermal, solar heating and use of heat from
the sewer system. Despite the ADA constraints, stamped/heated concrete will likely not be used as
both the public and city engineering department prefer pavers. P138IV.A.
133
SECTIONS
Per the Infrastructure Worksession with the City
of Aspen, it is understood that water lines must
be separated from stormwater BMPs. While
there is nothing within the code that precludes
using pervious pavement above water main
utilities, it is not preferred. A 10’ separation will
be implemented between BMPs and building
footprints and water mains, utilizing plastic
liners if BMPs are proposed within a 10’ limit
(not preferred).
It is expected that storm drain and sanitary
sewer utilities can be with the stormwater
management area and below pervious paving.
The adjacent sections show possible layouts
for utilities incorporating BMPs such as a linear
strip of snow melt neat the BMP, pervious
paving for stormwater conveyance and storage,
and grassed swales for treatment, conveyance
and storage. P139IV.A.
134 | Site Analysis
EXISTING TREESSTORMWATER + UTILITIES
STRUCTURAL SOIL
• Proven effective for use with existing and new trees
• Create onsite using existing soils and recycled concrete / rock
• Renovate existing soils adjacent to existing large trees to improve survival rates
• Improves new tree growth
• Integrates with proposed stormwater management strategy
P140IV.A.
135
IRRIGATION INVENTORY
There are two irrigation systems serving the
Aspen Pedestrian Mall. Mill Street, Galena
Street, Hyman Avenude and Cooper Avenue
each have pop-up spray heads. Each irrigation
system has six zones. Each irrigation system
has one 1-inch potable water tap. Both systems
are controlled by the Maxicon controller located
northwest of the playground.
A new irrigation system is desired utilizing a
raw water source with a new booster pump. A
single potable water tap may be considered as
an alternative.
The new system will be designed to meet the
City of Aspen parks standards and the City’s
efficient landscape ordinance.
A plan is proposed to route storm water through
planting beds to clarify storm water and to
irrigate planting material be designed natural
means. Soil moisture sensors may be used
to control irrigation to plants in these drainage
swale areas.P141IV.A.
136 | Site AnalysisP142 IV.A.
137
HUMAN COMFORTP143 IV.A.
138 | Site Analysis
scale 1”=100’
0’50’100’200’
LEGEND
Building Ramp
Curb Ramp
ADA Building
Non-ADA Building
scale 1”=100’
Exterior Elevator (Mall Frontage)
Door
N
ACCESSIBILITY
Pedestrian Crossing (non-ADA)
Bicycle Accessibility
The Mall’s existing design allows for strong
sightlines which contributes to way-finding and
visual accessibility.
The majority of the Mall’s buildings are not
accessible from the groundplane surface.
Redevelopment projects are required to conform
to accessibility standards in future projects.
ALLEY B
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY A
E DURANT AVENUE
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
Line of Sight
RUBEY PARK TRANSIT CEN-P144IV.A.
139
SLOPE ANALYSIS
LEGEND
0-1%
1.01 - 2.5%
2.51 - 4%
4.01 - 5%
5.01% +
Grade changes in the Mall range from 1% to
5%+. The stream bridges are sloped greater than
5%, however, the center aisles are accessible
from the ends.
Areas with grade change of 5% or greater are
considered a ramp by ADA standards.
ALLEY B
WAGNER PARK
HYMAN AVENUEMILL STREETALLEY A
E DURANT AVENUE
COOPER AVENUES GALENA STREETPEDESTRIAN ALLEY
P145IV.A.
140 | Site Analysis
SUN/SHADE
32%
34%
72%
54%
75%
81%
76%
100%100%
9/21/16 10:00 am 12/21/16 10:00 am6/21/16 10:00 am
9/21/16 1:30 pm 12/21/16 1:30 pm6/21/16 1:30 pm
9/21/16 5:00 pm 12/21/16 5:00 pm6/21/16 5:00 pm
SHADE
SHADE
SHADE
SHADE
SHADE
SHADE
SHADE
SHADE
SHADEP146
IV.A.
141
WINTER SHADE AND SNOW CONDITIONS
76%SHADE
Hyman Avenue is a heavily shaded section of the
Mall. This due in part to existing evergreen and
deciduous trees, but also the 3-story buildings
on the south side. This can be difficult in the
winter, causing additional ice build-up to occur
on the south side. Ice build-up causes walking
concerns for pedestrians. Snow is manually
cleared by the Parks department.
Snow left on the Mall contributes to the overall
winter character. This is appreciated by some
and cause for concern by others.
The Mall is not currently snow-melted. The City
of Aspen Partners and Stakeholders are open
to snowmelt in limited locations to address
accessibility concerns.
The shade is advantageous in summer months.
Mall users tend to occupy sun pockets in the
morning. Shaded areas are more heavily used in
the summer afternoons.
HYMAN AVENUE
12/21/16 1:30 pmP147 IV.A.
P148IV.A.
PUBLIC OUTREACH SUMMARY | PHASE 1P149 IV.A.
ii | Site Analysis
17%
26%
9%
17%
18%
9%
3%
3. Should there be greater focus on the Mall
serving/ attracting any of these groups in the
future? (select a ll that a pply)
1.Workforce
2.Visitors/ tourists
3.Youth
4.Young families
5.Downtown residents
6.Other
7.None of the above
21%
23%
10%
6%
17%
10%
13%
2. What top 3 goals have your highest priority?
(pick top 3)
A.Maintain historic character
B.Upgrade utilities
C.Improve stormwater quality attributes
D.Encourage retail vitality
E.Encourage pedestrian vitality
F.Maintain and enhance park-like character
G.Address ADA accessibility
14%
18%
0%
18%
14%
14%
0%
14%
0%
9%
1. What department are you representing?
(pick one)
1.Administration / Attorney / HR
2.Community Development
3.Building Department
4.Electric / Engineering / Water
5.Environmental Health / Core
6.Finance / Capital Assets
7.Fire, Police, Dispatch
8.Parks / Recreation
9.Special Events
10.Streets / Transportation / Parking
19%
10%
8%
22%
7%
7%
10%
16%
2%
0%
6. What type of events/ activities are you
open to for the Mall? (select all that apply)
1.Outdoor dining
2.Farmer’s markets
3.Outdoor movies
4.Musical performances (small, informal)
5.Musical performances (larger, formal conditions)
6.Exercise/ wellness events
7.Classes (cooking, wine tasting, art)
8.Talks, Discussions, Spoken word events (Aspen Ideas Festival)
9.Other
10.None of above
6%
36%
17%
36%
6%
5. What statement best describes events/
activities on the Mall (select up to 2)?
1.The Mall has too many events/ activities.
2.What happens here now is appropriate.
3.We need different types of events/ activities.
4.The management of events/ activities needs to be improved.
5.The Mall should have more.
36%
64%
4. Should a greater emphasis be placed on events/
activities for locals or tourist? (select one)
1.Locals
2.Tourists/ visitors
33%
39%
6%
22%
9. Should space on the Mall be leased by
adjacent businesses? (select one)
1.Yes, anywhere
2.Yes, but not in the center
3.No
4.No opinion
17%
52%
22%
9%
8. What statement best describes outdoor dining
on the Mall? (select one)
1.The Mall has too much dining.
2.What is there now is appropriate.
3.The Mall should have more outdoor dining.
4.Different dining formats/ locations should be explored.
17%
4%
14%
16%
17%
15%
14%
2%
2%
7. Which temporary/ flexible elements are
appropriate for the Mall? (select all that apply)
1.Food and/ or beverage carts
2.Product vendors
3.Horticultural displays
4.Additional table and chairs
5.Temporary art/ sculpture displays
6.Temporary games
7.Temporary children’s play features/ equipment
8.Other
9.None of the above
PARTNERING SESSION
Project Information Letter | A direct mailer was mailed to all property
addresses within the Mall project area including a phasing overview
and introductory project information.
Door to Door Outreach | Boots on the ground approach, meeting with
downtown business owners and tenants in person. Over 200 on-on-one
conversations regarding the project and ways to get involved.
Stakeholder Team Formation | Individual emails and calls to
stakeholders and leaders in the Aspen community. Stakeholder
teams help facilitate a reciprocal dialogue between the project team
and the community.
Project Launch Event, Session I and Session II | Informational
event to create excitement surrounding the project. Opportunity
for community to meet members of the project team and learn
about the project’s purpose and vision. At event, (144) participants
had opportunity to interact with the project team, provide initial
thoughts, share favorite memories and comment on areas that they
felt could use improvement.
Media Awareness / Publicity |
Project Launch Video | Mall users were asked to share a favorite Mall
memory or reason why they love the Aspen Pedestrian Mall. This
helps build trust in the project by acknowledging the personal impact
this area has on the community.
Website | AspenPedestrianMall.com is a central space for users to
learn more about the project, provide feedback and contact the APM
team.
Advertorial | On December 20, the APM team published an
advertorial in the Aspen Times and the Aspen Daily to promote
project awareness and create interest for the launch event and
stakeholder teams.
Email Contacts and Blasts | At each event and opportunity, the APM
team seeks to increase the project’s email database. These (150)
contacts receive event notifications and other important project
updates.
City of Aspen Newsletters | APM publicity has appeared in several
emailed city newsletters emailed to over 600 subscribers.
City Matters | Project team members filmed a 30-minute informa-
tional video about the need for the project, the project area and the
goals of the project.
Press Releases | The APM team released (3) press releases to increase
earned media exposure.
Aspen Community Voices | The APM project paired with the City of
Aspen’s online community engagement platform where users can
express opinions, share ideas and provide public input engagement
opportunities on a wide range of issues in Aspen.
Social Media | The APM has an ongoing media presence on the City of
Aspen and PR STUDIO’s Facebook page
Radio | Spotlight on the City radio spot briefly highlighted the projects
vision and purpose and asked listeners to join a stakeholder team or
attend April open house.
APM Stakeholder Partnering Workshop | The Partnering Session
brought together City of Aspen Partners, the project team to workshop
and finalize project goals, define expectations for all partners,
including the City’s team, to define project messaging and create a
culture for the project team. This internal communication tool helped
to align all parties around common goals and expectations.
Survey Permission and Building Owner Coordination | For survey
work, the APM team needed permission from various business owners
within the project area to place prisms inside their buildings. This
business coordination strengthened the project’s relationship to the
project and increased engagement among this stakeholder group.
Stakeholder Listening Meeting, Session I and Session II | Stakeholder
team meetings are initiated. The purpose of the stakeholder meetings
was to listen to community concerns and involve stakeholder groups
at the beginning of the design process. Stakeholder groups were
introduced to the project goals, project culture, project team and
expectations. Stakeholders participated in a facilitated discussion to
identify stakeholder insights, ideas and concerns.
Aspen Chamber Resort Association Presentation | Project team
members gave a brief overview of the project, project goals, phasing
and project information. Over 200 people attended the Chamber
breakfast.
Public Open House, Session I and Session II | Two open house
sessions were held on April 27 as an opportunity to share with the
public the initial insights our team has found and to collect additional
community feedback before the conceptual design phase.
APM PHASE I PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT OVERVIEW
APM PHASE I PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT OVERVIEW
Project Information Letter | A direct mailer was mailed to all property
addresses within the Mall project area including a phasing overview and
introductory project information.
Door to Door Outreach | Boots on the ground approach, meeting with
downtown business owners and tenants in person. Over 200 on-on-one
conversations regarding the project and ways to get involved.
Stakeholder Team Formation | Individual emails and calls to stakeholders
and leaders in the Aspen community. Stakeholder teams help facilitate a
reciprocal dialogue between the project team and the community.
STAKEHOLDER
TEAM
DESCRIPTION
CITY OF ASPEN
AND PROJECT
TEAM
Skilled team of project managers, City employees and
consultants who are passionate about creating a
legacy project that protects the character yet meets
the needs of future infrastructure.
DOWNTOWN
CORE, MALL
BUSINESS
TENANTS AND
PROPERTY
OWNERS TEAM
(MBT)
This stakeholder team represents building owners,
representatives and tenants within the project and will
be the most impacted during construction. Also,
stakeholders will directly benefit from Mall
improvements and infrastructure upgrades.
1970’S MALL
PARTNERS
This stakeholder team includes individuals who
participated in some way on the 1970’s Aspen
pedestrian mall project.
VISITORS,
EVENTS,
TOURISM AND
RECREATION
(VAT)
This stakeholder team represents ambassadors of the
customer experience and will communicate feedback
from both visitors and locals during the Mall
development and construction
phases.
OPERATIONS,
MAINTENANCE,
ACCESS,
DELIVERIES AND
MOBILITY TEAM
(MALL OPS)
This stakeholder team represents the commercial
mobility to the daily operations in the Mall. This team
will be utilized to provide input from the lens of vehicle
access and maintenance around the Mall project
area.
SUSTAINABILITY
TEAM
This stakeholder team represents the Mall
improvement project through the lens of
environmental stewardship.
ARTS, HISTORY
AND CULTURE
TEAM (ACH)
This stakeholder team is crucial to maintaining the
authentic, historic character of the Mall. This team will
weave historical aspects into the new Mall design to
maintain continuity and authenticity through
conceptual design to construction.
PARK USERS
This is a stakeholder team is comprised of locals and
community-minded volunteers who have respect for
the placemaking opportunities in the Mall and its
unique space in the City of Aspen.
Project Launch Event, Session I and Session II | Informational event to
create excitement surrounding the project. Opportunity for community to
meet members of the project team and learn about the project’s purpose
and vision. At event, (144) participants had opportunity to interact with the
project team, provide initial thoughts, share favorite memories and
comment on areas that they felt could use improvement.
Media Awareness / Publicity |
Project Launch Video | Mall users were asked to share a favorite
Mall memory or reason why they love the Aspen Pedestrian Mall.
This helps build trust in the project by acknowledging the personal
impact this area has on the community.
Website | AspenPedestrianMall.com is a central space for users to
learn more about the project, provide feedback and contact the APM
team.
P150IV.A.
vii
PuBLIC AND STAkEHOLDER OuTREACH
Based on Phase I interactions and feedback, stakeholders and the
public are generally in support of all project goals. The team heard no
significant objection to the initial project vision. Stakeholders and the
public have indicated a readiness to move forward to Phase II.
Maintain historical integrity and character of the Malls while
upgrading infrastructure and access.
There is a solid alignment among the project team, stakeholders
and the public regarding the timeless aesthetic of the Malls. It is
a consistent priority to maintain the integrity of the Malls’ design
and feel. It is accepted that user experience and utilities could be
improved. Overall, it is expected that aesthetics and needs are to be
balanced, but the look of the Mall is not to be sacrificed for function.
Historic context is key to the success of this project.
Explore innovative ways to improve the stormwater infrastructure
systems to further protect the Roaring Fork watershed.
A common theme for feedback corresponding to this goal is the
openness to see innovative solutions with the contingency that the
overall feel and look of the Mall remains intact. There is a greater need
to present options for stormwater solutions before consensus on
scope and design can be reached.
Replace aging utilities to serve customer needs for the next 50 years.
It is generally accepted that the aging utilities need to be addressed
to support the longevity and vitality of the Malls. Opinions diverge
on some aspects of utilities including those associated with outdoor
dining and lighting.
Retain the Malls as an urban park with a strong forestry program that
promotes best practices for the continued health of the urban forest.
Stakeholders agree that the urban forest of the Malls is an important
element to the overall aesthetic and character of the Malls. When
asked about the amount of shade, event participants mostly
indicated that the level of shade is appropriate for the mall during
the winter and summer though some have expressed that the Malls’
canopy is too thick.
Increase mall accessibility to meet modern code.
Largely, stakeholders agree that improvements should be made to
the overall grade of the Mall and have indicated some openness to
the idea of targeted snowmelt. However, there are varying opinions
regarding the materials. There have also been suggestions that
the unevenness of the Mall is part of the appeal and character.
Stakeholders generally support the look of the existing brick, but
understand that there are significant access challenges associated
with the material.
Access for EMS is a top concern. Stakeholders also indicated
challenges associated with delivery, operational and transit
access. Stakeholders and the public emphasized the importance
of maintaining service to businesses during construction and
supporting the vitality of downtown.
Engage the public and business owners to explore the best ways to
enhance the Mall experience.
The public, business owners and other stakeholders have
been engaged in various ways throughout Phase I. The level of
programming and activity is generally identified as appropriate for
the Mall. Feedback indicates that there is room for improvement
regarding Mall management, but it is important to stakeholders that
the Mall maintains its flexibility.
kEY EVENTS
I. Internal Partnering Workshop
The Partnering Session brought together City of Aspen Partners,
the project team to workshop and finalize project goals, define
expectations for all partners, including the City’s team, to define
project messaging and create a culture for the project team. This
internal communication tool helped to align all parties around
common goals and expectations.
Partnering participants expressed support for all project goals and
a desire to create a collaborative effort with alignment in goals and
messaging amongst the project team and partners. Partners conveyed
concern surrounding the project’s political sensitivities, scope,
sequencing and funding. A top priority for participants is to have a
transparent and thorough interaction with the public and stakeholders
ensuring that expectations are set and that alignment is developed
throughout the community.
II. Stakeholder Listening Meetings
Stakeholder The purpose of the stakeholder meetings was to listen
to community concerns and involve stakeholder groups at the
beginning of the design process. Stakeholder groups were introduced
to the project goals, project culture, project team and expectations.
Stakeholders participated in a facilitated discussion to identify
stakeholder insights, ideas and concerns.
III. Public Open Houses
Two public open house sessions were held on April 27 as an
opportunity to share with the public the initial insights our team
has found and to collect additional community feedback before the
conceptual design phase.
There is a level of apprehension surrounding the project specific
to the design and elements that are to be determined including
scope. Yet overwhelmingly, the public has indicated support for the
initial direction of the project and has expressed a readiness and an
excitement to see and review designs and plans. Majority of comments
collected referenced the Mall experience.
PHASE I PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TAkEAWAyS P151IV.A.