HomeMy WebLinkAboutcclc.ag.03152006
-COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSroN
REGULAR MEETING
SISTER CITIES MEETING ROOM
CITY HALL
March 15,2006
8:30 a.m.
I. Roll call
II. Approval of March 1, 2006 minutes.
8:3 0 III. Darryl Grobb - Fire Station update
9:00 IV. Ben Gagnon, planner - Proposal for criteria and
application process for Special Events Kiosk.
V. Adjourn
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Commercial Core and Lodging Commission
FROM:
Nancy Leslie, Special Events
Ben Gagnon, Special Projects Planner
RE: Special Events Kiosk Draft Criteria
DATE:
March 9, 2006
Summarv:
An unmanned Special Events Kiosk is scheduled to be constructed in April on the
pedestrian mall at the comer of Galena & Cooper, near the new, staffed Guest Services
Pavilion.
Staff is recommending that the CCLC review a proposal to define the purpose of the
Special Events Kiosk, and to adopt a public process and criteria for selecting the groups
that will be able to use the kiosk.
Attached is draft language for the purpose, public process and criteria. Nancy Leslie and
Ben Gagnon will attend the March 15 meeting to provide background and input on this
matter.
SPECIAL EVENTS KIOSK
Purpose: The unmanned Special Events Kiosk is designed to inform visitors and
residents of special events in Aspen. It is a six-panel structure featuring uniformly-
designed displays that are all replaced twice a year, at the beginning of the summer
and winter season. It is intended to be colorful and aesthetically pleasing, attracting
passersby to view a broad outline of the special events for the upcoming season, and
further acting as a "funnel" for people to seek more detailed information at the
adjacent Guest Services Pavilion.
Public Process: The City of Aspen owns and manages the Special Events Kiosk. The
City has pre-determined that some of the panels will be reserved for well-established
organizations that have a long and consistent history of special events programming
in the City of Aspen. Additional "Community Panels" will be available for
organizations to feature their seasonal events. Information for these "Community
Panels" may be submitted by organizations producing events in Aspen, for review
and approval by the Commercial Core and Lodging Commission according to the
Community Panel Criteria.
Reserved Panels (Summer):
Aspen Skiing Company - One panel
Aspen Institute Campus - One panel
City of Aspen Special Events - One panel
City of Aspen ARC/GOLF- One panel
Community (incl. MAA@Wheeler) - Two panels
Reserved Panels (Winter):
Aspen Skiing Company - Two panels
City of Aspen - Two panels
[Community* - Two panels]
* - Includes Aspen Institute + Wheeler events
Community Panel Criteria (definitions):
1. A "special event" has a distinct theme or purpose and occurs either
on one day or a series of consecutive days.
2. A "reoccurring event" is a performance or presentation that is
repeated numerous times within a season.
Community Panel Criteria (for written text, not images):
1. Special and reoccurring events must be within Aspen city-limits.
2. Special events that are presented annually have priority over one-
time special events.
3. Non-profit special and reoccurring events have priority over for-
profit events.
4. Special and reoccurring events must be significant, attracting a
substantial number of attendees.
5. Special and reoccurring events must be secular or inclusive of
multiple faiths.
Community Panel Criteria (for images):
1. Non-profit groups that produce two or more special events or that
produce reoccurring events in one season have first priority.
2. For-profit groups that produce two or more special events in one
season or that produce reoccurring events have second priority.
3. No logos allowed.
Payment:
All applicants for text and images on a panel must provide appropriate
payment to the City of Aspen for the service.
a(!M 3-/5"-(.,
Aspen Fire Protection District
2006 Bond Election Fact Sheet
Over the past few years, the Aspen Fire Protection District and Aspen Volunteer Fire Department have
continued to refine a strategic organizational development plan. Following Civic Center Master Planning
Task Force endorsement, HPC conceptual approval, COWOP conceptual approval, City Council
conceptual endorsement with a lease extension of 40 years attached, and Pitkin County Planning &
Zoning Land Use approval, we are on the verge of realizing some of our fundamental objectives.
Our strategic planning focuses on three Visions:
. To sustain and enhance the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department fire/rescue service delivery.
. To secure a legacy of future development opportunities to provide for the evolution of our Fire
District and the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department.
. "The civic nature and iconic quality of the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department - and its location in
the downtown core - is an immeasurable asset to both the year-round community and visitors."
Civic Center Master Planning Task Force, 2006
To serve these visions, our program development seeks to achieve:
. A new sub-station on a 65,000 square foot lot to be purchased across Hwy 82 from Sardy Field at
the North 40/ AABC to improve our emergency response throughout the ongoing developments
West of Castle Creek.
. This new station will redistribute our resources in a more logical pattern to improve response
times during peak traffic hours, to include an A VFD backup ambulance located in town.
. A significant Headquarters fire station redeveloped at our existing site in town, located at 420 E.
Hopkins Avenue since 1961.
. The Thrift Shop will fund a concurrent expansion of their facility in concert with the fire station
program.
To fund these programs we seek a bond issue of 14 million dollars to purchase land and build the stations.
. The fire district is debt free.
. The fire district has the fourth lowest mil levy for fire protection in Colorado - .874 mil.
. The cost of the bond will equal:
Cost per $3,000,000
Market residential value:
$ 196.62 per year
$ 16.38 per month
Cost per $1,000,000
Market residential value:
$ 65.54 per year
$ 5.46 per month
Cost per $200,000
Market residential value:
$ 13.10 per year
$ 1.10 per month
The election will be held on May 2, 2006 for our Aspen Fire Protection District Question A.
. All registered voters within the 87 square miles of the Aspen Fire Protection District are eligible
to vote. The polling place will be the Headquarters Station of the Aspen Fire Protection District at
420 E. Hopkins Ave., Aspen, Colorado, 81611.
. Absentee ballots will be available through the Aspen Fire Protection District Office after ????
. For further information please contact Chief Darryl Grob at (970) 925-5532.
We lookforward to continuing to serve in the spirit and tradition of the Aspen Volunteer Fire
Department. your fire department since 1881. Our motto remains:
"We Strive to Save"
420 E. Hopkins Ave. Site and Mass Study
N40 I AABC Upper Entry
(](!;L(1 ~ -15-~
February 3, 2006
To:
cc:
From:
The Fire Board and the City of Aspen
Isis Group LLC Managing Members & Team Members
Doug Olson
Managing Member, Isis Group LLC
Revised Isis Theater Center proposal
Re:
As a follow up to our initial Isis Theater Center development proposal issued January
31st, 2006, and in response to our subsequent meetings, our group is now providing a
revised proposal. We are very pleased you are interested in our ideas, and we appreciate
the time you are affording us to explore the possibility of making this huge community
benefit a reality - we truly believe the Isis Theater Center can be a substantial win for all
the constituents involved.
In our recent meetings with the Fire Board and the City, we heard clearly each party's
specifications, and are prepared to work hard to meet everyone's desires. The following
is what we heard and are prepared to provide:
Fire Board
· Approximately 18,000 square foot fire station on the Zupancis property with
exclusive use
· 45 foot bay setback with bays to accommodate ladder truck and ambulance
· Fire station office and/or staff housing on upper level
· Approximately 25 dedicated and separated underground parking spaces
· Full ownership of building through Deed
· Building and parking paid for in full by developers
Citv of Aspen
· Approximately 9,000-10,000 square feet of new office space located on the
second floor of the new Isis Theater Center, facing Aspen Mountain, and with a
favorable long-term lease
· Approximately 20 new employee housing beds configured in one and two
bedroom units, located at the back of the Zupancis property
· An approximately 112 space underground parking structure beneath the Zupancis
property, roughly 40 of which will be available after the fire station takes 25 and
the county takes 47 spaces
· A new Isis Theater Center that will house 5-6 new and renovated theaters of
different sizes, including at least one outfitted with full conference capability, and
at least one that will be offered to Theater Aspen as a new home for their live
performances
· Approximatcly 19,000 square feet of new ground floor retail and restaurant space
in the new Isis Thcater Center, and the associated tax revenuc
· A redevelopment of the existing fire station architccturally ticd into the Isis
huilding and more in kceping with thc acsthetic desircs of HPC and P&Z.
including cnhanccment (If thc puhlic space .surrounding the huilding
u ________________ I
,
February 8, 2006
To: Doug Olson, Managing Member, Isis Group LLC
Isis Group LLC Managing Members & Team Members
Re: Isis Theater Center proposals
Doug:
Thank you for your preliminary proposal for the various Fire District, Thrift Shop, Pitkin
County, and City of Aspen opportunities embodied in your recent conceptual programs
for the Zupancis property and Hopkins Avenue developments. Clearly, no one can speak
for all of the organizations your concepts might appeal to, nor address the multiplicity of
challenges each will face in examining the merits and obstacles to its realization.
You are aware that the Fire District and Thrift Shop are well along with our plans to
redevelop at the Hopkins Avenue site, subsequent to developing a new sub-station at the
AABC. We have received endorsement from the Civic Center Master Planning
Committee for the Hopkins site, and we have received unanimous approval from our
COWOP Conceptual Review Group for a new Fire Station I Thrift Shop complex on the
Hopkins site. After so many years of work, it has been gratifying to receive such
unanimous and unambiguous recognition of our community contribution and social
values embodied by our presence in the core of Aspen.
We begin our Pitkin County Land Use application for the N40 site next week.
Concurrentl y, we have been developing a bond election for the citizens of our Fire
District to consider in early May of this year, which is intended to fund our strategic
development at both sites. The funding and construction must proceed expeditiously to
enhance our immediate life-safety-mission-delivery needs. These circumstances combine
to prescnt a dilemma.
planning process to bring our visions literally to the verge of realization. We would
require a very high level of confidence in the desirability and practicality of what you
propose by end of business day, Monday, February 13,2006.
Thank you,
Board of Directors
Aspen Fire Protection District
_ ____________.1--
February II. 2006
Re:
The Aspen Fire Board
Isis Group LLC Managing Members & Team Members, The Executive
Committee of the Aspen City Council
Doug Olson
Managing Member, Isis Group LLC
Response to Fire Board Letter Dated February 8th, 2006
To:
cc:
From:
Thank you for your letter responding to our Isis Theater Center proposal. We would like to take
this opportunity to respond to your concerns, and to provide a framework in which Isis Group,
LLC, in close partnership with the Fire Board and the City of Aspen, can make this exciting plan
a reality to the considerable and wide-ranging benefit of the community.
First, we would like to summarize what we believe to be our proposal's compelling benefits to
the various constituents:
Fire Board
. A new, 18,000 square foot fire station, located on the Zupancis property, built to the Fire
Board's specifications, and paid for by Isis Group, LLC; it is our understanding that,
following a recent and thorough study of the suitability of the Zupancis property for the
Fire Board's proposed new fire station, the site met the Fire Board's requirements.
. An opportunity for the Fire Board to provide a state-of-the-art facility to the citizens of
Aspen at no cost to the citizens, saving an estimated $4,000,000.00 of taxpayer money.
. New fire station offices and/or staff housing on the station's upper level.
. Approximately 25 dedicated and separated underground parking spaces, paid for by Isis
Group, LLC.
. Full ownership of the building through Deed.
. A centrally located station on Main Street, with better and safer egress and ingress.
City of Aspen
. Approximately 9,000-10,000 square feet of much needed new office space located on the
second floor of the new Isis Theater Center on Hopkins A venue, paid for by Isis Group,
LLC.
. Approximately 20 new employee housing beds configured in one and two bedroom units,
located at the back of the Zupancis property, paid for by Isis Group, LLC.
. Underground parking of approximately 112 spaces beneath the Zupancis property,
roughly 25 of which would be dedicated to the fire station, roughly 40 of which would be
dedicated to the county, with the remainder to be used by the public or at the City's
discretion, all paid for by Isis Group, LLC.
. A new Isis Theater Center that will house 5-6 new and renovated theaters of different
sizes, including at least one outfitted with full conference capability, and at least one that
will be offered to Theater Aspen as a new home for their live pelformances, paid for by
Isis Group, LLC.
. Approximately 19.000 square feet of new ground floor retail and restaurant space in the
new Isis Theater Center (and the associated tax revenue that comes with it), paid for by
Isis Group, LLC.
. A redevelopmcnt of the existing fire station architecturally ticd into the Isis building and
morc in keeping with thc acsthetic desires of HPC and P&Z. including enhancemcnt of
lhe pub;ic 'pace surrounding the building. I>aid for hy Isis (;roup, LLt'.
February 14, 2006
To: Doug Olson, Managing Member, Isis Group LLC
Isis Group LLC Managing Members & Team Members
Re: Isis Theater Center proposals
Doug:
Thank you for your prompt response to our letter of conditions dated February 8. We note
that the deadline we had established for your response window passed yesterday.
Unfortunately, your suggested program modifications do not meet the conditions we had
outlined in that letter. Many of your alternative suggestions reflect an incomplete and
inaccurate interpretation of our prograrn planning, operational requirements, and strategic
vision objectives. We consider your cost estimates understated, and your development
programs problematic. Your offer is rejected.
We will be proceeding as we and the commttnity have planned. Last week we received
conceptual approval from HPC for our initial Hopkins site study. Our COWOP meetings
have progressed with similar, public, citizen-based endorsements of our planning and
programming elements.
Please understand, our current program has enjoyed local, public examination over the
last several years. Groups such as the Civic Center Master Planning Committee and our
City COWOP assembly have elicited consistently unanirnous endorsement of the assorted
issues brought to their attention, and strong support of our Hopkins program. This, of
course, includes the Thrift Shop in every regard.
A recent comment I received in rny investigation of your altemative was, "The fire
station headquarters plays a very important role at that location with its volunteerism and
the firefighter's identity in this town." Public recognition of our 50-year role as a
community icon and cultural anchor has been echoed more than once during the last
several years of public planning.
Finally, and on a personal note, I feel obligated to point out sorne potentially awkward
issues raised in your closing rernarks. I quote from your proposal:
"Our strong preference is to work closely with the Fire Board and the City. in private and hehind
the scenes. to pul! this project ofl We are not interested in the puhlic spotlight. and are only
looking to produce something of enormous and long-term value j(>r the city of Aspen. "hile
<'f~ioying appropriate upsidefi>r our investors in the process. 1nfact. ,,,e would like nothing more
than to see the Fire Board and the City Coume! (sic) takefill! creditfi>r hringing this project to
life.
. Isis Group, LLC will pay for the cost of the new fire station, according to the
specifications of the Fire Board, and will include, among other features, a ladder truck
bay. an ambulance bay. a 45 foot set back/bay apron, and adequate staffing and housing
space above the bays.
. The Fire Board is free to use design, consultant and construction contractors of its choice
[0 complete the fire station structure, as long as total projected costs are agreed upon with
Isis Group, LLC prior to beginning construction. Additionally, Isis Group, LLC will
allow the Fire Board's design, consultant and construction contractors the opportunity to
bid on any other part of the Zupancis property's remaining structures (office, parking,
housing, etc.). And, in any event, Isis Group. LLC's design team will cooperate fully
with the Fire Board's as both parties will have a vested interest in maximizing the site's
potential.
. Isis Group, LLC will agree to a re-analysis of the Zupancis site to ensure it still meets the
Fire Board's requirements for its new facility, and will agree to use the same company
that performed the analysis the last time around. Isis Group, LLC will pay for the cost of
the analysis, but requires that the analysis be completed no later than March 15'" 2006.
. Isis Group, LLC agrees to maintain the Thrift Shop within the new Isis Theater Center,
and provide space and location that meets the Thrift Shop's needs.
. Isis Group, LLC agrees with and encourages the Fire Board's need to continue its bond
process through a vote expected in May, 2006, but would ask for the following
reasonable provisions: I) the Fire Board would agree not to sell the Hopkins bonds, if
approved, until the City has reached a conclusion on the sale of the properties in
discussion to Isis Group, LLC, but under no circumstance can this approval process
exceed 18 months from the time of the bond vote; 2) assuming the city delivers the
necessary approvals to Isis Group, LLC within 18 months of the bond vote, the Fire
Board will agree not to sell the bonds, and Isis Group, LLC will agree to reimburse the
Fire Board for reasonable design, planning and legal fees associated with the bond vote
devoted to the fire station issue incurred to that point; 3) the Fire Board will agree not to
incur expenses related to the new fire station in between the time of the bond vote and the
City's decision regarding the sale of the properties and related approvals, the time pcriod
of which will not exceed 18 months.
. Isis Group, LLC and the Fire Board will sign of a non-binding Letter of Intent
memorializing the understandings described above, no later than February 28'h. 2006; Isis
group, LLC and the Fire Board will sign a binding Letter of Intent, subject to the
completion and mutual satisfaction of the Zupancis property re-analysis, no later than
April I", 2006.
We believe the benefits of our proposal [0 all the constituents impacted, most importantly to the
community at large, are overwhelming and well worth the effort in pursuing. We have assembled
a first class team perfectly qualified to make this plan a reality. We have financing for the entire
project lined up through the principals and Apollo Real Estate Advisors. We have received
preliminary. but enthusiastic support for our proposal from several key City officials, as well as a
number of local leaders and influencers with whom we have sharcd our ideas. Wc are fully
prcpared [0 move forward diligently to bring this proposal to life for the henefit of all involved.
We have thought long and hard about this plan and have playcd devil's advocate with oursclves
to -.'\p!nrt' the thnvllsidt's of the prnposal - a,- a !\:'''ult of thi... :ts"t'''''rnl'~nt. Wl~ (';111 only ";1',' Irpside
for all parties. Our 'trong prcll'l'enc< is to \Vork c1o,c1y with thc Firc Board :md the City. in
3