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Agenda Amended
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
July 2nd, 2018
Council Chambers
4:00 p.m.
I. Resolution #99, Series of 2018 - 517 E. Hopkins Contract Approval
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jack
THROUGH: Scott Miller
DATE OF MEMO: June
MEETING DATE: July 2, 2018
RE: 517 E. Hopkins Contract Approval
REQUEST OF COUNCIL: The goal of
real estate contract to purchase 517 Hopkins
45 days regarding the contract.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
July 7, 2017 – City Council reviewed funding options for the City Offices at Galena. City Staff
presented two options for funding. The first option was
cash and the second option was General Obligation Bonds (GOBs) and cash.
April 3, 2017 – City Council
approved project includes reconfiguration of three (3) parcels to create two (2) new parcels,
renovate the Rio Grande Buildin
office building. Minor design changes as a result of refinement to internal programming or to
meet Building or Engineering code requirements may be approved as part of the building permit
review. Minor changes to material and fenestration arrangements may be approved as part of the
building permit review. Construction of this project has been delayed as a result of litigation
commenced by two local citizens regarding land use issues and a propos
project.
August 23, 2016 – Staff presented the Galena Option alongside two Armory Reuse Options,
with, and one without Powerhouse
absent. No definitive decision was made
confirmed to staff that the Powerhouse would only be a temporary use and not part of
term City Hall solution, this narrowed the decision to two options. The Galena Option and the
Armory Reuse Option.
July 19, 2016 – Galena Option previously approved was shown with additional requested options
of the Galena Alternate and an Armory Reuse Option with a Purchase of Space.
staff to produce more information on the use of the Armory as City Hall.
July 5, 2016 – Update on the Galena Option and Galena Reuse
additional phasing and cost information on these options as well as the G
March 7, 2016 – Worksession update
and humble.
Page 1 of 3
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
Jack Wheeler, Capital Asset Director
Scott Miller, Public Works Director
June 26, 2018
July 2, 2018
517 E. Hopkins Contract Approval
The goal of today’s session is to request approval by
real estate contract to purchase 517 Hopkins and direction to perform due diligence in the next
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
City Council reviewed funding options for the City Offices at Galena. City Staff
presented two options for funding. The first option was Certificate of Participation
General Obligation Bonds (GOBs) and cash.
City Council gave land use approval for the City Offices at Galena. The
approved project includes reconfiguration of three (3) parcels to create two (2) new parcels,
renovate the Rio Grande Building, demolish the existing office structure and construct a new
office building. Minor design changes as a result of refinement to internal programming or to
meet Building or Engineering code requirements may be approved as part of the building permit
. Minor changes to material and fenestration arrangements may be approved as part of the
Construction of this project has been delayed as a result of litigation
commenced by two local citizens regarding land use issues and a proposed referendum on the
Staff presented the Galena Option alongside two Armory Reuse Options,
one without Powerhouse use. Council had 4 members in attendance, with Art Dailey
absent. No definitive decision was made of Armory Reuse, or Galena Option, however Council
confirmed to staff that the Powerhouse would only be a temporary use and not part of
term City Hall solution, this narrowed the decision to two options. The Galena Option and the
Galena Option previously approved was shown with additional requested options
of the Galena Alternate and an Armory Reuse Option with a Purchase of Space.
staff to produce more information on the use of the Armory as City Hall.
Update on the Galena Option and Galena Reuse Option 2.0. Council requested
additional phasing and cost information on these options as well as the Galena Alternate.
Worksession update on the Galena Option. Council requested to keep modest
by Council of the
perform due diligence in the next
City Council reviewed funding options for the City Offices at Galena. City Staff
Certificate of Participation (COPs) with
gave land use approval for the City Offices at Galena. The
approved project includes reconfiguration of three (3) parcels to create two (2) new parcels,
g, demolish the existing office structure and construct a new
office building. Minor design changes as a result of refinement to internal programming or to
meet Building or Engineering code requirements may be approved as part of the building permit
. Minor changes to material and fenestration arrangements may be approved as part of the
Construction of this project has been delayed as a result of litigation
ed referendum on the
Staff presented the Galena Option alongside two Armory Reuse Options, one
4 members in attendance, with Art Dailey
of Armory Reuse, or Galena Option, however Council
confirmed to staff that the Powerhouse would only be a temporary use and not part of a long
term City Hall solution, this narrowed the decision to two options. The Galena Option and the
Galena Option previously approved was shown with additional requested options
of the Galena Alternate and an Armory Reuse Option with a Purchase of Space. Council directed
Option 2.0. Council requested
alena Alternate.
. Council requested to keep modest
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Nov 16, 2015 - Worksession. Confirmed
Galena Plaza forward to detailed design
November 3, 2015 - The community was asked in an advisory vote if the Armory building
should be used as city offices, or for community use. Community use was preferred
August 3, 2015 – Worksession -
existing Armory for community use was approved to move to detailed design by a vote of 4
July 14, 2015 – Worksession –
Alternate conceptual designs. Council discussed each design and
recommendation for the Galena Option 3
September 13, 2016 – Worksession
Armory, renovate the Rio Grande building and build new space in the Galena parking area.
DISCUSSION:
On or about May 10, 2018, Mark Hunt approached various council members with a proposal to
sell his property at 517 E. Hyman to the City for office space. Based on this outreach staff
entered into discussions regarding the purchase and
contract, with an amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit
executed by the Seller and the City Manager, is specifically conditioned upon the approval of the
City Council. If approved by City Council within the time frame set forth, the City will have 45
days to perform a due diligence investigation of the project. If the contract is terminated during
that 45-day period any earnest money paid will be returned.
As part of the 45 day due diligence period, City staff will utilize $150
funds on developing 517 E Hopkins
offices on the Parking Garage
programming, a daylight analysis, and
This will ensure that Council has enough information on the 517 E Hopkins option
decide is it or is it not a viable, quality office space alternative
any tunnel configuration between 517 Hopkins and the Armory Building, nor would it include
any reconfiguration of Connor Park.
analysis back to Council at the July 30
each solution and determine next steps.
A Resolution is submitted approving the contract and authorizing the staff to perform a due
diligence investigation of the project.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS: The financial
to $250,000 of currently appropriated funds
are above the costs outlined in the contract. The contract requires earnest money
$2,500,000 deposit into escrow, these
terminated within the 45 day due diligence period. The contract attached as Exhibit A
Exhibit B includes a purchase price of
allowance for the City of Aspen tenant improvements.
Page 2 of 3
. Confirmed - Move the city office project “the Galena Option” at
Galena Plaza forward to detailed design.
he community was asked in an advisory vote if the Armory building
should be used as city offices, or for community use. Community use was preferred
- Programing of 51,900 sf at Galena Plaza including reus
existing Armory for community use was approved to move to detailed design by a vote of 4
Options of Armory Option, the Galena Option, and the Galena
Alternate conceptual designs. Council discussed each design and was in favor of the staff
recommendation for the Galena Option 3-2.
Worksession – Council provided direction for the project team to reuse the
Armory, renovate the Rio Grande building and build new space in the Galena parking area.
, 2018, Mark Hunt approached various council members with a proposal to
sell his property at 517 E. Hyman to the City for office space. Based on this outreach staff
entered into discussions regarding the purchase and completed a contract for purchase. The
contract, with an amendment is attached hereto as Exhibits A and B. The Contract, which was
executed by the Seller and the City Manager, is specifically conditioned upon the approval of the
by City Council within the time frame set forth, the City will have 45
days to perform a due diligence investigation of the project. If the contract is terminated during
period any earnest money paid will be returned.
due diligence period, City staff will utilize $150-$250K of appropriated
ping 517 E Hopkins option which includes, the Armory, the Rio Grande and the
offices on the Parking Garage, to a preliminary schematic design level including, space
a daylight analysis, and refine the rough order of magnitude construction estimate
t Council has enough information on the 517 E Hopkins option
viable, quality office space alternative. This option would not include
any tunnel configuration between 517 Hopkins and the Armory Building, nor would it include
any reconfiguration of Connor Park. Staff will bring the information from the d
July 30 worksession where we will look at the pros and cons of
each solution and determine next steps.
approving the contract and authorizing the staff to perform a due
diligence investigation of the project.
financial requirements of the contract are the expenditure of up
250,000 of currently appropriated funds to perform due diligence investigation,
in the contract. The contract requires earnest money
$2,500,000 deposit into escrow, these earnest funds are fully refundable if the contract is
terminated within the 45 day due diligence period. The contract attached as Exhibit A
a purchase price of $23,000,000 which includes a $100 per square foot
allowance for the City of Aspen tenant improvements.
“the Galena Option” at
he community was asked in an advisory vote if the Armory building
should be used as city offices, or for community use. Community use was preferred.
rograming of 51,900 sf at Galena Plaza including reuse of the
existing Armory for community use was approved to move to detailed design by a vote of 4-1.
ptions of Armory Option, the Galena Option, and the Galena
was in favor of the staff
Council provided direction for the project team to reuse the
Armory, renovate the Rio Grande building and build new space in the Galena parking area.
, 2018, Mark Hunt approached various council members with a proposal to
sell his property at 517 E. Hyman to the City for office space. Based on this outreach staff
completed a contract for purchase. The
The Contract, which was
executed by the Seller and the City Manager, is specifically conditioned upon the approval of the
by City Council within the time frame set forth, the City will have 45
days to perform a due diligence investigation of the project. If the contract is terminated during
0K of appropriated
, the Armory, the Rio Grande and the
gn level including, space
rough order of magnitude construction estimate.
t Council has enough information on the 517 E Hopkins option to either
This option would not include
any tunnel configuration between 517 Hopkins and the Armory Building, nor would it include
will bring the information from the due diligence
worksession where we will look at the pros and cons of
approving the contract and authorizing the staff to perform a due
the expenditure of up
to perform due diligence investigation, these funds
in the contract. The contract requires earnest money in the amount of
funds are fully refundable if the contract is
terminated within the 45 day due diligence period. The contract attached as Exhibit A and
$100 per square foot
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Series of 2018.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Exhibit A – Real estate contract
Exhibit B – Contract amendment
Exhibit C - Presentation slides
Page 3 of 3
Staff recommends that council approve Resolution No. 99,
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Resolution No. 99,
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RESOLUTION 99
(Series of 2018)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ASPEN AND 517 EAST HOPKINS
ASPEN LLC., AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO CONDUCT A DUE DILIGENCE
INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPOSAL.
WHEREAS, there has been submitted to the City Council a contract for Purchase of Real Estate
by and between the City of Aspen and 517 East Hopkins Aspen LLC. True and accurate copies
of the contract and an addendum are attached hereto as “Exhibits “A” and “B”; and,
WHEREAS, such contract is specifically conditioned upon the approval of City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
That the City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves the Contract between the
City of Aspen and 517 East Hopkins Aspen LLC; copies of which contract and addendum are
annexed hereto and incorporated herein, and does hereby authorize the City Manager to provide
notice to the Seller of the Council’s approval of such contract as provided in paragraph 27,
thereof. Further, Council hereby directs staff to perform such due diligence as staff feels is
appropriate regarding such purchase and to report such efforts to Council no later than forty-five
days from the date of this resolution.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on
the 2nd of July, 2018.
Steven Skadron, Mayor
I, Linda Manning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a
true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held on the 2nd of July, 2018.
Linda Manning, City Clerk
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City of Aspen –City
Offices
City Council Presentation –July 2, 2018
P30I.
Where we are…
•Current option –build city offices at Galena/Rio
and Armory
•Council direction to move from one roof solution
(CC: September 13, 2016)
•Design status –100% DD
•20,000 sf Armory, 34,600 sf Galena -$42-$46MM
•Project has land use approval (April 3, 2017)
•Current road blocks due to litigation
•Litigation uncertainty led us to look at other options P31I.
Galena & Armory (current plan)P32I.
Space Program Recap
*Plus 2,700 sf ACRA space
P33I.
Council Request
•Enter into real estate contract to purchase 517 E.
Hopkins for $23MM.
•The contracts defines a 45 day due diligence period that
commences July 2.
•$100 square foot tenant improvement allowance included.
•Due Diligence Expenses $150-$250K
•Space analysis, programming, cost analysis
•Daylight analysis / Quality of programed space
•Develop programing to preliminary schematic level
•Analysis will include all buildings in 517 option
P34I.
517 E. Hopkins & Armory
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517 E. Hopkins & Armory
P36I.
Building Configurations –517 E. Hopkins
517
Hopkins
Armory Rio
Grande
Old
ACRA
Space in
Town -
TBD
Subtotal
Basement 8,791 3,903 972 13,666
Main Level 5,670 5,841 2,915 4,200 18,626
Level 2 6,981 5,877 2,513 15,371
Level 3 N/A 4,379 4,379
Total 21,442 20,000 6,400 4,200 2,600 54,642
•Storage Space needs: 6,262
•Meeting space needs: 6,730 (includes council chambers)
•Subtotal: 12,992 => most of the storage and meeting space is below grade
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NOTE: The costs presented are order of magnitude and for budgetary purposes. When an
option is selected, staff and consulting teams will further refine the estimate. The square
footages are based on the verified program. Once space planning is complete, the final square
footage needs may increase based on needs and use of space.
Option Cost Operational
Efficiency
Construction
Fatigue
Free up
assets
Uncertainty Timeline
517 E Hopkins $50M 5 Addresses
517
Armory
Galena
Rio Grande
-517 Hopkins
will happen
regardless
-Plus 2 new
construction
projects in town
Old
Powerhouse
Mt.Rescue
-Creates clear path to
construct new city
offices
-Potential litigation
around financing
Fall 2018
Start,
complete by
winter 2020
Galena &
Armory
$46.5
M
2 Addresses -517 Hopkins
will happen
regardless
-Plus 2 new
construction
projects in town
Old
Powerhouse
Mt.Rescue
-No clear path to
construct new city
offices
-Galena currently
subject to litigation
Based on
legal
challenge,
could be 3
years to work
through
litigation.
Unknown
start date
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DECISION POINT
•Does Council want to approve contract?
•Does Council agree to spend up to $250K for
due diligence.
•Staff will bring information back to Council at
July 30 worksession.P39I.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Pete Strecker, Assistant Finance Director
THRU: Don Taylor, Finance Director
MEETING DATE: July 2, 2018
RE:
Financing Options for Civic Building
This memo is to document financing options for Council for the possible administrative offices,
including the space at 517 Hopkins (the old Daily News Building) and how it compares to what
was previously estimated as a placeholder in the City’s long range financial plans.
Council recently directed Staff to move forward with due diligence work around the possible
acquisition of space located across the street from the Armory at 517 Hopkins. Under this
option, the City would own the majority of a newly constructed building on this site, with the
exception of the street-facing retail space that would be retained by the current owner. The cost
to acquire and furnish the space is estimated at $27M. Along with this new location, the City of
Aspen would also plan to renovate existing spaces, including the Armory (City Hall), Rio
Grande Building, and another space yet to be determined, to get to the verified program for
square footage to house City offices (54,000 square feet). In total, these projects are estimated at
roughly $48M. Based on existing resources within the funds / departments that will benefit from
new office space, the City can pay cash for at least $21M of the $48M, leaving the need to
finance the remaining $27M.
With an assumed term of 30 years, and an estimated borrowing rate of 4.25%, the annual debt
service on $27M would equate to roughly $1.6M per year. To provide context to this figure, the
existing long-range financial plans had assumed roughly $1M per year. As there are different
funds that would contribute to these projects, the impact to each fund is unique (note that the
points below assume the current operational and capital plans in these funds):
· General Fund increase is to annual debt service is approximately 60% more, increasing
from roughly $0.7M to $1.2M. To accommodate the additional debt service, financial
planning for the future will likely require a shift in the allocation of property tax revenue
between the AMP (75%) and GF (25%), to more like 50%/50% at a minimum. This
increase will likely also restrict the City from cash funding other projects in the future.
· Transportation Fund will continue to be able to pay its allocation in cash from fund
balance. This is only possible due to the annual subsidy it receives from the Parking
Fund which is now estimated at $1.75M, and has added to the Transportation Fund cash
balance.
· Parking Fund will pay its allocation from cash reserves.
· Stormwater will need to finance its $1.1M share, estimated at $68K per year in debt
service. As noted previously, the Stormwater Fund is not projected to have sufficient
revenues in the future to pay for identified capital projects – at some point, these projects
will either need to be delayed or will need to compete with other projects within the AMP
Fund.
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· APCHA will need to finance its $3.5M share, estimated at $207K per year in debt
service. Of this annual debt service amount, the City would contribute 50% (from the
Housing Development Fund) and the other 50% would come from Pitkin County.
The above financing assumes a traditional debt issuance to the outside market. The City could
however divide up the financing for these various projects, and would have options for different
financing if it chose this approach, such as an advance from the Wheeler Opera House Fund.
However, to borrow from this internal fund, the Council would likely need to amend the
financial policies that it adopted December 2017, which included new language on interfund
advances, as those policies included a maximum duration of an advance at 10 years.
As an example on how to separate out the financing for the various projects, the City could:
· Finance the entirety of the Armory renovation ($15.9M) using COPs
· Finance the Rio Grande Building and other TBD space ($5.1M) using existing cash
· Finance the project on Hopkins ($27.3M) using a combination of remaining cash
($16.2M) and an advance from the Wheeler Opera House Fund for the remainder
($11.0M)
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Aspen Daily News letter to editor : City hall
problem solved by Carl Heck
• Jun 27, 2018
Editor:
Finally, the new city hall issue is settled and should make all sides happy. Buying the old Daily
News building from Mr. Hunt solves the problem and eliminates a huge construction project at
Galena Plaza. Plus the future possibility of connecting the building with city hall and
improvements to Conner Park is a great bonus for Aspen.
Carl Heck
ASPEN TIMES letter to editor Carl Heck
Building bonus
June 26, 2018
June 26, 2018
Finally, the new City Hall issue is settled and should make all sides happy! Buying the Daily
News building from Mark Hunt solves the problem and eliminates a huge construction
project at Galena Plaza. Plus the future possibility of connecting the building with City Hall
and improvements to Conner Park is a great bonus for Aspen!
Carl Heck
Aspen
Aspen Times Editorial: City of Aspen should
abandon new building and opt for Hopkins
place
June 28, 2018
Share Tweet Comments (0)
On Monday, members of Aspen City Council have a chance to redeem themselves with the
public by scrapping their plan to develop a municipal office building near Rio Grande Park and
let a developer build space for government employees across the street from City Hall.
On the table is an offer from Mark Hunt, who, along with investors, owns the building at 517 E.
Hopkins Ave. The city is under contract to buy a yet-to-be-developed building, and let Hunt
develop it and deliver 21,400 square feet of office space.
The transaction would be for $23 million, which includes the space and the cost of developing a
new building.
The deal is contingent on council approval (expected Monday) and a 45-day due diligence
period, during which time the city can end the contract with no financial risk.
We say go for it and don't look back. It is a far better deal than the city's plan to create 37,500
square feet of new development between Galena Plaza and Rio Grande Place.
There is no question that the city needs more office space—not just because it spends a half-
million dollars annually on rent in other locations, but also city staff should have a nice
environment to work in. They also need to be centralized for efficiency's sake.
We would have been OK with the Rio Grande/Galena Plaza plan if not for three citizens who
brought lawsuits against the city for approving an ordinance last year that allows the
development.
Because of the legal wrangling, the project is on hold and will be until the lawsuits are resolved.
Aspen residents Steven Goldenberg and Marcia Goshorn, along with Snowmass Canyon resident
Toni Kronberg, are asking a judge to allow them to collect signatures from Aspen voters to put
the development to a referendum.
The city doesn't want the public to vote on it, because the likelihood of voters approving a
government expansion project is very slim. As the city manager said, that's as popular as
mandatory colonoscopies.
Before Hunt came to the table, we would have suggested that the city stand down and stop
fighting in court and let the public decide.
Now we say that the 517 E. Hopkins Ave. building is the best option the city has in front of it.
And here is why:
• Cost. The city's project at Rio Grande/Galena Plaza is estimated to cost $22.6 million. But as
the lawsuits drag on for what could be years, construction costs are predicted to increase as much
as 10 percent annually.
Yes, we recognize that the Hopkins building is 16,100 square feet less for roughly the same price
as the city's building. But time is money, so as long as the city keeps fighting the lawsuits, the
Rio Grande/Galena Plaza plan will keep getting more expensive.
• Timing. Letting Hunt deliver a turnkey project will give city employees a better place to work
quicker than the government doing it on its own.
The Hopkins deal also will allow the city to stop renting space all over town to accommodate
various departments, saving money sooner.
• Impact. The Hopkins project already has approvals and is going to be built as a commercial
property anyway. It is just replacing what is already there. The city's Rio Grande/Galena Plaza
plan is new development and additional square footage, and the community has enough of that
going on right now.
Hunt had proposed a redeveloped Conner Park behind City Hall and a tunnel under Hopkins
Avenue to connect the buildings.
We support a new park because it would offer a far superior public space than what is there now,
and it could serve as a middle ground between the two properties.
But we say no tunnel. It's unnecessary. Put a jacket on and walk across the street.
We know there are more details to come and council should make sure it gets what it needs for
city employees. But at first glance, Hunt's Hopkins plan is the best alternative for the public and
the municipal government. ,
The Aspen Times editorial board is made up of the publisher, editor and members of the Times'
staff.
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Gmail -ANT ALERT: Taj Mahal City Hall Alternative Page 1 of 8
Gmail
Toni Kronberg<toni.waterbabies@gmail.com>
ANT ALERT: Taj Mahal City Hall Alternative
2 messages
The Red Ant<theredantem@comcast.net> Fri, Jun 29,2018 at 12:39 PM
Reply-To: theredantem@comcast.net
To:Toni.waterbabies@gmail.com
DRAFT
The Red . Ant
Political Commentary, Aspen Style homework
-Issue-#141. _ June_29,2018_
ANT ALERT: Taj Mahal City Hall
Alternative
"Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every
citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of
free people and who would preserve what is good and
fruitful in our national heritage. "
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Please plan to attend a special city council meeting this coming Monday,
July 2; at 5p in council chambers to state your opinion on the city's
acquisition of 517 E. Hopkins Avenue (the old Aspen Daily News building).
The Red Ant sees this acquisition as a critical component in preventing
the city from condemning the open space at Galena Plaza for its plans to
build a 37,500 sf edifice to bureaucracy, once and for all. (See the
history of the Taj Mahal City Hall HERE.)
Thanks to the tireless (and unpaidll) work of local government watchdogs
Toni Kronberg, Steve Goldenberg and Marcia Goshorn, which began in
early 2017 with both an abuse of power lawsuit and a referendum
file:///C:/Usersfinternet/Desktop/Gmail%20%20ANT%20ALERT%20%20Tai%20Mahal%... 7/2/2018
Gmail - ANT ALERT: Taj Mahal City Hall Alternative Page 3 of 8
Land Beneath Connor Park 11,500 sf
TOTAL 54,500 sf
• $23 million is the magic number. When comparing the 517 E. Hopkins
parcel with the planned site for the Taj Mahal on Galena Plaza, $23
million comes up. But in the case of the Taj, $23 million is only the NEW
CONSTRUCTION COST. $23 million does not include the land value of
$7 million. Whereas, 517 E. Hopkins presents a scrape-and-replace
finished construction cost of $13.5 million on top of $9.5 million assessed
land value. Total $23 million.
• Hunt will deliver a finished, two-story city office building, across the
street from the current City Hall in the Armory, potentially (but not
contingent upon) integrating Connor Park as a public amenity with office
space beneath, and connecting 517 to the Armory via a tunnel below
Hopkins Ave.
• Remember, the Taj would be 47' tall on land specifically designated as
public open space in 2006.
• Most notably, the redevelopment at 517 E. Hopkins already has site-
specific approval from the City of Aspen, meaning that the shape, style,
mass, scale-and materials have been approved. These vested rights are
already in place.
• For our council members who are loathe to weigh what the electorate
thinks about the matter when making the decision to purchase (that's
you, Steve, Ward, Ann and Adam), rest assured. The purchase contract is
an administrative action, not a legislative one, therefore it prevents a
citizens' referendum to force a vote. In other words, you don't have to
worry about a citizens' uproar if you move forward to purchase the 517
Hopkins parcel.
• Besides, Carl Heck likes it, writing to the Aspen Times, "Finally, the new
City Hall issue is settled and should make all sides happy! Buying the Daily
News building from Mark Hunt solves the problem and eliminates a huge
construction project at Galena Plaza. Plus, the future possibility of
connecting the building with City Hall and improvements to Connor Park is
a great bonus for Aspen." Indeed.
Let's do this.
Click HERE to see the 517 E. Hopkins parcel's proximity to the Armory,
including Hunt's concept.
Of special note: Kronberg, Goldenberg and Goshorn were represented in the
file:///C:/Users/internet/Desktop/Gmai I%20-%20ANT%20ALERT%20%20Tai%20Mahal%... 7/2/2018