HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19721206Study Session Aspen City Council December 6, 1972
times during the course of the meeting o~-December 4th, it was suggested by several
council members that we combine the construction of parking spaces.with our planned
construction in a fashion which would permit the location of such parking underneath
our building. It is my belief that this is a feasible alternative to the present
controversy.
Our organization is willing to commit to the construction of City leased or owned parking
facilities under our structures at the end of Galena Street providing the City will
permit us the flexibility in design and access location so as no~ to damage or destroy the
visual desirability of the real estate. This would also require height variances to
permit proper utilization of the real estate by us.
While we cannot, at this point, give a firm estimate of the cost for parking facilities
such as we have described above, we believe that the cost would not exceed Six Thousand
Dollars ($6,000.00) per parking space.
We would certainly appreciate the prompt response of the City of Aspen to either our
Option Agreement or the alternative proposal stated above. Thank you for your consider-
ation.
Very truly yours,
J. R. Trueman & Associates, Inc.
/s/ James R. Trueman, President
JRT:ls
Enc.
The option agreement explains that if the 3,750,000 dollars payable in cash at closing
traRs~C~on is payed on or before midnight December 27, 1972 it is reduced to 3,500,000
in cash at closing.
James Breasted said to build parking for 800 cars, the cost is $6,000 a space, that would
be $4,800,000. Mayor Homeyer pointed out that we have to have only 500 cars on one level
and that cost would be $3,000,000 top price.
James Breasted pointed out that it would take 3,000,000 dollars to buy a parking garage
or $3,500,000 to buy the entire property. If we have that option the $500,000 difference
is really ~mportant to the town.
Joe Edwards stated the problem of building up the town area can be solved totally
irrespective of the RR property, The City could pass zoning ordinances to save the
view. Concerning price, you always ask more than you expect to get. Trueman is asking
3.5 million dollars but the ultimate after negotiation would be less than that. What
would determine the price would be the price that Trueman paid for it and reasonable
interest on his money. The cost of condemnation would be in the neighborhood of
$2,800,000. If we let the 20 acres go to condominiums that will inundate any parking
we put in or any transportation system we might get.
Dwight Shellman stated the location Ks crucial to the density impact effect on the
downtown area in the transportation plan. I am concerned that the City Council will
pass up this chance to enter into negotiations. I am going to Washington, D. C., to try
and make contact to see waht national resources are available. I don't know about the
funds, but the feeling of support from the COunty will be there after the first of the
year.
Mr. Grueter said on the point of condemnation the value paid is the market value of the
property. I can assure you that Trueman has considered the fair market value of the
property.
Mayor Homeyer asked the question to Arthur Daily: Is it true we can't condemn because
we don't need all the land? Daily said the defendant can raise the question as to what
si the purpose of the land being taken. The City can show that it is being taken for
public use. If we should want to put public housing on the land there should be no
problems. Leasing out this space to private interests would cause some serious problems.
Public use is defined as parks, parking psaces, public housing and recreational uses.
The issue of bonding was discussed, There will be no revenue from the 1% sales tax until
September of 1973. The interest on $3,000,000 would be considerable. The possibility
was raised of selling bonds and Mr. Veeder said there would be no problem in selling
the bonds. They could be sold on the basis of the tax revenue.
James Breasted said he would like to talk to Mrl Kirchner and work up figures concerning
the cost of buying parking from Mr. Trueman or what the cost would be to bond the
purchase price.
Roll call vote on the motion made by Breasted to enter into negotiations to buy the
Railroad Property from Mr. Trueman - Whitaker nay, Markalunas'nay, Mayor Homeyer a~e, "
Breasted aye, Griffin a~e, Nystrom nay. Motion not carried.
Mayor Homeyer said that she isn't willing to see this fail here.
Councilwoman Markalunas stated that we have just begun to work with Mr. Trueman. He can
develop the property better than the City can.
Councilman Griffin left the Councilroom.
Breasted commented that the reason Mr. Trueman came up with this agreement is because
we seemed to want to buy the property on Monday~ The Council now indicates that is
isn't going to buy the property. Councilman Whitaker indicated that he was interested
1388
Study Session Aspen City Council December 6, 1972
in knowing what Trueman's plans were for development. The plans for open space and roads
on the property are important no ma~ter who develops it.
Councilman Whitaker said that he was not sold on many aspects of the plan. He is trying ~
to look ahead to when we have a transportation system to serve the whole area, not ]us~
the downtown area.
Mayor Homeyer asked the question: Are you willing to talk to Mr. Trueman meaningfully
on his facilities to lease parking for a certain number of years? Councilman Whitaker
answered that he had already stated how he felt, no. Councilwoman Markalunas answered
that she was not willing to commit to parking structures. Councilman Nystrom answered
he would like to see what could be worked out with a temporary lease on some parking
at the end of Galena.
Mayor Homeyer pointed out that we have to build parking spaces for 500 cars for our
transportation paln. Mayor Homeyer wanted some expression of Council's feelings on
Trueman's parking plan. Mr. Trueman is obviously going ahead with his plans for
development of the railroad property.
City/County Planner Herb Hartel suggested the Council (1) ask Mr. Trueman what the cost
estimates are for parking at Galena (2) prepare a counter-offer on the lease parking
on the Mill Street side of the property. If we had a dispersed parking plan, rather than
a parking structure, it would confuse the automobile systems. In addition to that, it
would not provide the kind of advantage we want for a bus system. Councilman Whi%aker
felt that dispersed parking lots would give open space in the town. Herb Bartel commente~
that with view-plan legislation, we could get the same effect.
Mayor Homeyer feels that the Council was not getting anywhere, not solving our problems.
We must come to some plan of action tonight.
Councilwoman Markalunas asked that her vote be changed on the motion to ~egotiate with
Trueman. She said that any leased parking would be far in excess of MrJ Trueman's price.
Mayor Homeyer noted that the motion to negotiate with Mr. Trueman now is passed.
Councilman Whitaker moved to adjourn the meeting, Seconded by Councilman Nystrom.
Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p. m.
Ka~e~ D~e~~ng Secretary