New City Offices

City Offices Construction Update for July 31, 2021

Project Update

The project has commenced mechanical equipment start-up, completed fire alarm and testing, started punch list walks on the main level of the building, and continued installation of mechanical controls. In the Rio Grande Building, the team installed new electrical service. Exterior painting and landscaping continue on site, and new traffic coating was applied on the garage deck.

The Aspen City Offices team is dedicated to public safety and the safety of construction crews and will continue to adhere to state and local COVID-19 operational recommendations and regulations as the situation evolves.

Coming Up

Crews are working on Galena Plaza, including on the plaza hardscape, and as the crew moves into the interior of the plaza, the construction fence will also move. Street level irrigation installation work also continues. The punch list will continue on various levels of the building, nearing commissioning.

Staircase Closure through summer 2021

The blue staircase connecting Rio Grande Place and the plaza (staircase east of the parking garage/plaza) is closed through summer 2021. For alternate access, use Jail Trail or the parking garage elevator.

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  1. About New City Offices
  2. Construction Information
  3. Project Financials
  4. Design and Site Plan
  5. Galena Plaza Outreach
  6. Stay Informed

Untitled-1About New City Offices

The City of Aspen is constructing new administrative offices to improve the efficiency and availability of local government to the Aspen community.  The site for the new City office building is located between Rio Grande Place and Galena Plaza.  The new building will add to a civic common that consists of Pitkin County government buildings, Pitkin County Library, and the Aspen Police Department. The city office complex will enhance the corridor connecting the downtown core to Rio Grande Park and the John Denver Sanctuary.

The three-story, approximately 39,000 sq. ft. building designed by local architect Charles Cunniffe integrates bold structural elements and a featured glass rotunda welcoming community use. City offices can be accessed from two entries with enhanced green spaces around the physical building. Other features include an elevator and grand staircase, integrated use of natural materials for exterior finishes, and community meeting space for public use. Current design standards call for a LEED Gold certification.

The new offices signify the culmination of over six-years of planning for new City facilities that will meet the service needs of Aspen’s residents, customers, and visitors, as well as provide appropriate work space for City employees.   Currently, the City has multiple leases for offices scattered within the City core and beyond. The construction of this new facility will allow the City to reduce its externally leased spaces, reduce taxpayers’ expenses by building on land it owns, consolidate services in downtown Aspen, and improve existing facilities.  The result will allow for better public service, business processes, and will address accessibility issues.

In July 2020, City Council committed additional funding to the project for energy efficiency upgrades via REMP funds.  

Shaw Construction is the general contractor and the building is anticipated to be complete in summer of 2021.

The History

The City of Aspen completed a Facilities Master Plan in 2015 that developed an accurate inventory of City of Aspen spaces and set out to define future space needs and long term planning.