A couple weeks ago, someone deep within this paper’s editorial department anointed me the “voice of Snowmass Village” and made sure to declare it on the front page of the printed edition. While I’ve never actually thought of myself in that role, I do appreciate the acknowledgment.
It’s nice to know that at least one person — and hopefully more — view my biweekly ramblings as part of a greater cause. Although my focus has been the good, bad and ugly in the village I will also, without fear or shame, continue shining a bit of light on the good, bad and ugly in our neighboring up and down valley communities. After all, we’re just one big, happy and somewhat flawed Roaring Fork family, aren’t we?
With that said, here’s what the “voice of Snowmass” has to say this week.
It’s been less than six months since the new Snowmass Village mayor and town council took their seats at the table, but they’re already working together like a well-oiled machine. Perhaps some of that is because the mayor and the supermajority of the council are all women. Still, that lone male among them plays an invaluable role, initiating and enriching debates with his extensive professional experience, as well as his many years on the town’s planning commission and town council.
It’s been a long time since the council has meaningfully challenged the lopsided agenda of the town manager and several of his key department heads. For far too long, the bureaucrats’ planning and operational agenda has reigned supreme, often in my opinion to the detriment of those who live (full or part-time) or work in the village.
One such flawed plan was the original design for the Draw site workforce housing project to be located on the steep hillside adjacent to Town Hall. The original proposal featured three massive towers that included a two-story underground parking structure. At an estimated building cost of nearly $100 million, the price tag would have been well over $1 million per unit.
But the newly seated town council, with input from its knowledgeable members and those concerned with preserving the village’s small-town character, quickly scaled back the proposal. The new design now focuses on a single residential tower with a simplified parking plan, set lower on the hillside to reduce the building’s height and mass.
Although still a costly project, it’s now far more affordable than the original design. If the funding gap — which now stands at around $10 million (down from $30 million) — can be filled through contributions from potential users like the school system, hospital, fire districts, commercial businesses along with local, state and federal government grants, Snowmass could soon see a significant solution to its pressing need for more affordable housing that is close to where residents work and play.
Last year, the planning commission and the community successfully defeated the plan for an oversized, out-of-character transportation center adjacent to the mall. The new town council wasted no time in reworking the design, resulting in a lower-profile building that would house RFTA buses on the top level and local shuttle buses on the ground floor. This new design is more in line with the community’s small-town character and offers a safer, more visually appealing facility than the one originally proposed.
Funding the gap between what has been set aside locally and the total building cost has stalled due to the time and money wasted on the original design and the current lack of funding support on the federal and state levels. But the good news is when that funding does become available in the future, we’ll have a close to shovel-ready plan that fits the community’s character.
Similarly, the original plans for an oversized rebuilding of the Little Red School House have been brought more in line with the actual needs and pocketbook of the community, as well as the site it sits on. With fingers crossed, the reduced funding gap required to complete this project should be within reach soon.
Kudos to the new mayor and town council! Keep up the excellent work on behalf of the community, and don’t let the bureaucrats wear you down.
And speaking of kudos, I’d like to extend many to Mike Harrington, who joined the Wheeler Opera House team as its executive director last September. He’s curated a winter program slate unlike anything Aspen has seen in years, including highlights like Michael Feinstein’s Tony Bennett tribute featuring the Carnegie Hall Ensemble, the Christopher Jackson (“Hamilton,” “In The Heights” and “The Lion King”) concert and the recently concluded Aspen Laugh Festival capped off by the finale starring Jerry Seinfeld.
Since arriving in town, Harrington made an immediate impact, bringing in both big-name stars and up-and-coming talent, while also showcasing the best of our local performers and cultural icons.
Keep up the good work Mike. Your efforts to bring high-quality entertainment and cultural programming to this community have been sorely missed for a long time. We’re thrilled to have you leading the charge at the Wheeler and look forward to even more incredible performances in seasons to come.