December 2019 Report

November 2019 Project Report

October 2019 Project Report

September 2019 Project Report

August 2019 Project Report

July 2019 Project Report

June 2019 Project Report

May 2019 Project Report

Construction Update - April 25, 2019

Construction Update - April 1, 2019

Project Construction

The work beginning on the Rio Grande site in February 2019 marks the start of the two-year construction process.

In addition to Shaw Construction, our partners include Charles Cunniffe Architects, PR Studio, and Concept One Group.

Construction activities will take place between the hours of 7:30am and 5:30pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday as needed from 9am – 5pm.

Project Construction Schedule

Phase 1 – Site Preparation and Demolition of ACRA building [Complete]
Phase 2 – Right of Way Utility Work [Complete]
Phase 3 – Excavation and Foundation Work: Summer 2019 – Spring 2020
Phase 4 – Vertical Construction: March 2020 – Spring 2021
Phase 5 – Landscaping, Punch List, Move-In: Summer 2021

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, 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 project”, with a Council decision still pending for the pursuit of a net zero carbon emissions facility.  

Building of the new offices signifies 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 November 2018 City of Aspen voters elected to locate new city offices at 425 Rio Grande Place.  

Shaw Construction is the general contractor and the building is anticipated to be complete by 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.

Project Financials for Galena City Offices as of November 14, 2019

Project Financials for Rio Grande Building Renovations as of November 14, 2019

Financial Report through September 2019

Spring 2019 Memos on Financing New City Offices

Budget and Committed Resources

Summary Financing Document

Ordinance 7 2019 - Authorizing Financing

December 10, 2018 Memo on Reimbursable Expenses

Permit Drawing Design Set – Subject to change

Approved Plans Ordinance 4

Ordinance 4

2019 Design Renderings

Landscape Plan

Facilities Master Plan for City of Aspen

Verified Program Plan

With the seat of Aspen City government moving to the new City offices building, the City is underway on an engagement and outreach process to investigate enhancements to Galena Plaza. 

Thank you to all who attended the Feedback Forum in December and shared your insights regarding the three conceptual designs for Galena Plaza. To review the designs, please visit aspencommunityvoice.com/GalenaPlaza.

Following feedback from the December open house sessions, the project team has integrated elements from the three design alternatives into one refined conceptual design concept. Join the City of Aspen and the project team during “office hours” on January 22 at the Pitkin County Library Dunaway Room to provide feedback on the following topics:

• Public Space Elements
• Transit
• Pedestrian Linkages to Rio Grande Park and Main Street
• Landscape

Wednesday, January 22nd
Open “Office Hours” with the Project Team:
11 am – 1 pm – Session I Workshop
4 pm – 6 pm – Session II Workshop
Pitkin County Library Dunaway Room

A NAME FOR GALENA PLAZA | ASPEN COMMONS

Galena Plaza needs a name to fit the future of this space. The project team has been using Aspen Commons to describe this new, revitalized space. A common place for the people of Aspen to access government services and a connection from the mountain to the river.

Learn more about the Galena Plaza outreach and share your insights online at AspenCommunityVoice.com/GalenaPlaza 

Sign up for “New City Offices” Notify Me updates to receive updates on opportunities for involvement.

Stay Informed

Get up-to-date information on the project:

Call the 24-hour City of Aspen hotline at 970-429-1793 

Sign up for ‘New City Offices’ newsletter

Email questions and concerns newcityoffices@cityofaspen.com

Neighborhood Email Announcements: If you would like to receive information about neighborhood meetings and localized project impacts and progress. Please email newcityoffices@cityaspen.com to subscribe to the list.