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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.hpc.min.061798 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 17~ 1998 Meeting was called to order at 8:45 by chairman Jon Busch with Bill Dinsmoor, and John Starr present. Excused were Terry Butler, Don Swales and Jack Stanford. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS John Starr relayed that the Food & Wine people, the volunteers and the City did a fabulous job in setting up and taking down the event. Jeff Woods, Parks Director relayed that they have purchased matting that protects the grass after special events. Dexter Sabatini property owner relayed that the alleys are much cleaner and he appreciates all the work that the City has done to make this possible. His job has become much easier. Jeff Woods relayed that the Environmental Ranger will start work next Monday. Part of his job will be the alleys in addition to Parks issues. He will be working with owners and businesses to inform them of city regulations. WAGNER PARK MASTER PLAN Jeff relayed that in the future the City may have more than just the Food & Wine festival and the design of the facility would have to be able to handle numerous events and be able to use the playing field. It is possible that we could loose Wagner as a playing field but in exchange it would become an event center and then an upgraded playing field would be constructed at another location. John stated that the large majority of citizens in Aspen enjoy the wine festival. Jon relayed that Wagner Park is sacred and it is unique even though it is inadequate because it is downtown. All the bus routes and music students come downtown. It is the hub. COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 17~ 1998 Jeff Woods relayed that they are potentially going to the voters for a bond issue this fall or next spring to do several major projects including Wagner Park and the mall area. Interest rates are 4 1/2% a year on a bond. With a bond multiple projects can be accomplished. We can also take advantage of the significant amount of fill that is being removed from the Highlands and use earth free vs. paying $15. to $20. a yard to haul the dirt in. There would be a 2 million dollar swing if we did projects pay as you go. Part of the bond project would be to upgrade all of the parks throughout the community at once instead of doing it over multiple years. Wagner Park, playground and restroom area would cost around $750,000. An extensive survey is being done on Wagner Park which includes where does the water drain etc. Step down seating around Wagner is being proposed. The field would have a sand base field. Monarch and Durant St. would be addressed in the project. Kevin Dunnett, Parks landscape architect relayed that trees on Main Street will be replaced. Jeff stated if the bond is successful construction could occur next spring or summer. John inquired how the plan is integrated with light rail. Jeff relayed that they are leaving it blank on the plan. They will factor in the future at a later date. The trolley will also need to be looked at. John relayed that a concern of his is infill structure; communications and electric underground. They planning needs to be done now for the next twenty years. Possibly exhibition space should be included. Jeff relayed that there are sewer lines and electric lines that need to be located. Plenty of sleeves should be set up ahead for infill structures. He also relayed that he will keep CCLC informed of the process. Jeff also relayed that Riverside trail will start construction in a month. It will be completed to HWY 82 and the next section to Difficult Camp Ground will be a political issue. Jon inquired about Garish Park. 2 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 17~ 1998 Jeff relayed that it is a natural area on the river and the Parks is going to do a master plan of the natural areas. As part of the total plan he is allocating $300,000 for the next ten years to do restoration projects including tree planting. If the bond doesn't pass then the decision needs to be made whether playing fields should be done or natural areas. Jon also suggested that in the survey to include the Silver Circle Ice Rink. Bill's relayed his concern of not sterilizing the downtown. With the proposal of Iselin etc. it will clearly put more cars downtown and possibly the trolley should be utilized or at least addressed in the plan. PROPOSED FARMERS MARKET SITE Bill relayed that the Farmers Market to him was to make that element of the interaction of the community happen in the downtown core not off in the peripheral areas. John also agreed that the market should be in the core area. Gervaise attended the worksession and businesses were concerned about large trucks coming into town and parking in the downtown area. Boulder controls the size of trucks that can be parked right off the Boulder mall. Pickup trucks and vans are allowed. Jon relayed that the truck issue is a detail and can be worked out with parking. If people come downtown to shop at a Saturday market they will stay downtown for a period of time and they will do other things and visit other shops and restaurants. If the farmers market is in a peripheral area they will drive in, do the farmers market and drive back out. Gervaise relayed that the statement was made that the farmers market is for locals but some individuals felt that the tourists would use it. Many tourists rent homes for the summer and would be in favor of coming into town to get fresh vegetables. 3 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 17~ 1998 John relayed that the proposed site is consistent with the CCLC goals. If the market is in town you are encouraging people to walk. The CCLC voted in support of City Council's proposal for the Hopkins Avenue site for the Farmers Market. MOTION: John moved that CCLC supports' the concept of the Farmers Market to be maintained within the commercial core. CCLC's goal is to maintain the diverse vitality in the business community. CCLC feels that this activity will draw people into the central core where they will spend additional time enjoying the diverse businesses and recreational opportunities. The farmers market will bring back community to the central core. Motion second by Jan. ,411 in favor, motion carried. Jan relayed that if the farmers market was on the periphery people will just drive in and drive back out. We will loose the ability to create community and bring the community together. Bringing it downtown encourages people to get together. Bill relayed that the Farmers Market brings the base of the community back into the down town core where it need to be. MOTION: don moved to adjourn; second by Bill. All in favor, motion carried 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 11: O0 p. m. Kathleen J. Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk 4 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 17~ 1998 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS ......................................................................................................... 1 WAGNER PARK MASTER PLAN ....................................................................................................... 1 PROPOSED FARMERS MARKET SITE ............................................................................................ 3