HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19720501 Study Session Aspen~City CounciL' ~ - M~y 1, 1972
Ses~sion began at 5:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, with the following members present: Tran~ation
Mayor Eve Homeyer, Councilmen William Comcowich and Ross Griffin. Planning and Zoning
members: Robin Molny, James Adams, James Breasted, Victor Goodhard, Charles Collins
and Anthos Jordan~. Also present City/County,Planner, Herb Barrel, Assistant Planner,
Fred WOoden and Scott Nystrom. ~ ·
Mr. Bob Leigh.of Alan~Voorhees and Associates was present, and outlined the proposed
transportation study made ~r' the City and County, Proposal included an Intown Cir-
culation Plan, Owerall Circulation Plan, Public Transportation and Transportation
System between Aspen and Snowmass.
Mr. Leigh demonstrated the proposal in map form. The map outlining the circulation
system for the central area included one way street pattern on Hopkins, Aspen, Monarch,
Hunter and Spring Streets. Main Street would have two lanes going west and one lane
going east. Traffic will be diverted from Main onto Hopkins at Aspen Street. The whole
concept of the proposal for downtown is to strive to obtain a 12 block area where cars
are not encouraged. Streets closed and malled Would be Cooper Street between Mill and
Hunter; Mill Street between Durant and Hyman and Galena Street between Durant and Hyman.
Other streets would be narrowed and perhaps sidewalks extended into the street areas
which would be partial closing of streets. The entire 12 block area would be on 2 hour
parking. Also instigated would be permit parking or restricted parking which~would be a
source of revenue, proposed parking locations~to replace'the parking in the mall~areas <_~
wou~d be the railroad property, Rubey Park~,~City parking near the NUmber One Lift and
the other parking presemtly at the N~mber One Lift area. Rubey Park would have two
decks of parking on a slope so that cars are concealed with the structure being of a
simple concrete design~costing approximately $1500 per space, and handling 150 cars.
.Considered underground parking under Wagner Park and concluded it would 5e too expensive.
A mini bus or Shuttle would service~this 12 block area, with a transfer location at
Paepcke Park. The closed areas would eliminate 250 parking spaces. Some of the elim-
inated spaces would be taken up by some parking in the parZially Closed streets and the
rem~.&nder would be taken care of by Rubey Park. The parking at Rubey Park would be
regulated by parking meters and estimate the revenue from this would be $43,000 a
year which would make the structure self supporting.
Next item of discussion was the apProach tO Aspen of Highway 82. Plan included a 4 lane
parkway to the Maroon Creek turn off where there would be a partial interchangel A new
road would have to be constructed from behind the Prince of Peace Chapel to Cemetery
Lane. The Castle Creek road and existing Highway 82 would be utilized by the 10cals and
become a local responsibility and the 4 lane parkway.from Maroon creek into the City
would be narrowed down to two lanes with a turn at Main Street. The Midland right-of-
way would be used for the shuttle system.
Airpo=t Area was then discussed. Mr. Leigh outlined where the proposed new terminal
would be located and also included a proposed extension of the runway 500' to the
south. Proposed a change of location of the highway near the airport so that the re-
quired footage of the runway would be mainly at the north end. Proposed transportation
center would be located south of the terminal about 1/2 mile at the junction of the~Owl
Creek Road and the Highway. This location was chosen for its central location and space
available for 1,000 cars. Did not propose going to the terminal With the transportation
system b~cause of the costs involved in running track when the narrow gauge railroad as
proposed is a reality~ Also felt the delay to go into the terminal would weigh against
the system. ~
Criticism was raised by the members present of not providing transportation from the
terminal and also incentives for those persons driving into Aspen and parking at the
transportation center. ~'
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~tudy Session, Aspen City~.~ ~ ~a~i~i~ ~p~,~a~, ~9~ i
Mr. Leigh stated there probable Would'b~ze to be a different mode of transportation to
handle the area between the terminal and the Center where' people could ride the shuttle
service. Incentive to get people to park their car~ at the transportation center would
Transportatio be by signing, and those who had had' experience previOusly:in Aspen of the difficulties
Study in finding a place to leave their vehicles. The proposal is based on trying to get the
greatest amount of transportation value for~total dollars spent.
Mr. Leigh pointed out the cost savings on the highway as compared to what the State
Highway Department had proposed would be about $3,000,000 which would be enough for the
bps system. The proposed highway would include a bus lane or lanes. State Highway
criteria for two lane highways is 10,000 vehicles a day, four lanes up to 40,000 a day.
The design speed for the parkway would be 50MPH. It was stated that half of the visitors
in the winter time ~rrive by plane.
Criticism was mentioned that people would not use the railroad property for parking, feel
the parking should be dispersed more around the City. Mr. Leigh stated the largest
reservoir for parking would be at the airportl. Members mentioned that people would only
park there as a last resort.
Ail recommendations would be staged. First~ stage would include upgrading of the Master
Plan, serious negoiations~with highway department and getting them into the design
aspects, reserving rights of ways and instigation of the parking permits. Proposed cost
of parking permits as follows: $1.00 for one day; $2.00 for a week; $5.00 up to one
month and $10.00 for yearlyii~permit. Based on 850 spaces projected revenues on number
of permits as follows: 2,000 yearly permits, 10,0D0 monthly permits; 40,000 weekly
permits and 100,000 daily permits issued.
Mr. Leigh stated he will now be preparing the draft report that will include rec-
ommendations which will be submitted for review prior to printing, final report avail-
able sometime in June.
Meeting adjourned at 7:t~~ p.m.
Lorraine Graves, City Clerk