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INFORMATION UPDATE
November 28, 2023
5:00 PM,
I.Information Update
I.A
Work Session Follow Up Memo - Armory Hall remodel and reuse: City Council
direction for schematic design
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FOLLOW-UP MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING DATE:November 14, 2023
FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE:November 16, 2023
AGENDA TOPIC:Armory Hall remodel and reuse: City Council
direction for schematic design
PRESENTED BY:Jennifer Phelan, Development Manager
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Torre, Councilmembers John Doyle, Bill
Guth, Ward Hauenstein, Sam Rose
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WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Staff provided background on the results of past
2022 engagement efforts, previous direction provided by City Council and current
initiatives associated with the Armory Hall remodel and reuse project.
Most recently, architectural consultants began evaluating a mix of uses that can be
accommodated in the building considering individual space needs for the different uses
such as front and back of house, circulation, and accessory needs like bathrooms. At
the same time, work on a market study was undertaken, inclusive of quantitative and
qualitative data collection. An open house and online survey were conducted in 2023.
Staff presented the results of the engagement as well as concepts proposed by the
architectural consultant team and the market analysis consultant team. The architectural
team was engaged to undertake a high-level analysis and evaluate what may be able to
fit within the building based on the top programmatic uses identified through past
public engagement, the programming expectations of ACRA, and taking into
consideration space needs of the different uses inclusive of front and back of house, as
well as circulation and bathrooms. The market study firm was tasked with looking at
the potential uses that have been discussed for the Armory and whether there were any
clear niches within the Aspen market.
After discussion, Council provided the following direction:
1.Topic:Confirm second story should be removed and the above grade structure
be brought back to its original two-story floor to ceiling head height as the design
moves forward.
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Council majority consensus: There was general consensus to remove the second
story and bring the building back to two stories above grade.
2.Topic:Confirm direction on whether a potential addition to the building should
be considered during schematic design.
Council majority consensus: Staff should proceed with the existing footprint
with no alley addition; however, an addition may be reconsidered in the future
as programmatic needs are further developed.
Topic:Rank the use programming for the building based on past engagement:
food vending, lower price point retail, community lounge – informal gathering
space, flex space – formal gathering space, visitor center, ACRA offices, co-
working space, non-profit space.
Council majority consensus: Food/food hall is the most prioritized use, followed
by community lounge, with support for affordable retail, flex space, and visitor
center, with caveats. Office space (co-working/ACRA offices) was not a priority
within the Armory. Some of the comments from Council to frame the
prioritization discussion and to consider with future work includes: many uses
are complementary, a visitor center has value but size is of concern, any flexible
multipurpose space should consider how to optimally activate the space, both in
design and use flexibility to minimize down time. An entertainment component:
pool/shuffleboard, etc. is missing in the community and can potentially be
reintroduced in the Armory.
NEXT STEPS: Staff will continue to progress the RFP process in light of Council’s
comments and begin work on an RFQ for an operator.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
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