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Construction Activities Calendar
View work activities and anticipated impacts for January and February 2020 [PDF]
Project Update - February 21, 2020
Crews continue to make progress on the Rio Grande Building foundation and parking garage work. Monday, February 24 through March 6, 2020, the lower Rio Grande parking garage entry lane and one exit lane will be closed daily, Mondays-Fridays from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM for construction activities. All lanes will be open outside these times.
View parking garage access map for February 24 - March 6, 2020.
The lowest level of the north west garage stairs (B-2) will be closed for safety during construction hours (Mondays-Fridays, 7:30AM-5:30PM). Please use the east stairs or elevator. Due to construction noise, please do not leave pets inside vehicles.
Currently, there are approximately 15 parking spots on the upper level of the parking garage closed for safety critical overhead work. At this time no full closures of the parking garage or its north entrance are scheduled as part of city offices construction. However, based on site conditions, there may be periodic full closures of the parking garage.
Galena Shuttle Bus Stop
The Galena Shuttle bus stop has relocated to the plaza level for the remainder of the winter season. Click here to view the map.>>
Galena Plaza Outreach
Thank you to all who attended the open house sessions in January and shared your insights regarding the revised conceptual design for Galena Plaza.
- Click here to view the informational boards including the revised conceptual design. >>
- To provide comment on the revised conceptual design, please use the "Comments" tool at the bottom of the project page. >>
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.
Staircase Closure through summer 2021
The blue staircase connecting Rio Grande Place and the plaza (staircase east of the parking garage/plaza) will close on Monday, Sept., 9 and remain closed for the next two years. For alternate access, use Jail Trail or the parking garage elevator.
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 New City Offices as of February 2020
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
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 open house sessions in January and shared your insights regarding the revised conceptual design for Galena Plaza.
- Click here to view the informational boards including the revised conceptual design. >>
- To provide comment on the revised conceptual design, please use the "Comments" tool at the bottom of the project page. >>
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.
