Aspen's Armory Hall
Identifying future programming use and remodel options for Aspen’s historic community asset
The Armory Reimagined: Respecting history, shaping the future.
As part of the process to redevelop Armory Hall, city staff has met with Aspen City Council nine times over the past two years, with the most recent work session held on May 28, 2024.
Council directed staff to proceed with the design process on the Armory so that a condensed timeline can be implemented.
City staff and consultants in the summer and fall of 2023 are conducting a “test fit,” which is part of concept planning to determine howContinue reading
Identifying future programming use and remodel options for Aspen’s historic community asset
The Armory Reimagined: Respecting history, shaping the future.
As part of the process to redevelop Armory Hall, city staff has met with Aspen City Council nine times over the past two years, with the most recent work session held on May 28, 2024.
Council directed staff to proceed with the design process on the Armory so that a condensed timeline can be implemented.
City staff and consultants in the summer and fall of 2023 are conducting a “test fit,” which is part of concept planning to determine how much square footage is necessary for different types of uses.
Concepts and floor plans were presented at an open house held at the Armory on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Over 200 people gathered in the space, formerly known as City Hall, to review preliminary concepts, ask questions of the design team, and provide input.
The project’s current direction is based on extensive public outreach and community engagement, which included two online questionnaires, an open house, two focus group meetings and surveys. Staff heard overwhelmingly that the community needs a place to gather, that the Armory should be the heart of town, a community living room with the ability to eat, experience entertainment, shop or just hang out.
A design contract with CCY Architects was approved in March 2024. Based upon public engagement results, floor plans have been developed, consultations with regulators have occurred, and an initial operational budget based on the proposed programming is in place.
Public Engagement
City Council remains committed to public involvement. Following the October 2023 open house showing some initial “test fit” of programming options within the building to see how much space is needed for different uses, additional outreach is planned as the design progresses. An open house at the Armory is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31st. The open house will run from 4-7 p.m. located at the Armory at 130 S. Galena St.
Based on past community outreach, the architects have developed two concepts for the building. The public is invited to learn more about how the concepts were developed. The consultant team will visually display the design concepts and will be on hand to discuss.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Project Information:The Armory sits on a 6,000 sq. ft. lot in Aspen’s downtown Commercial Core Historic District, adjacent to Conner Park. It is located within the Public zone district and is designated as a historic resource. The City has allocated money for planning the redesign of the project.
Next steps will be to determine funding options to undertake the remodel.
The City recognizes the importance of community use as an element of future programming and remodel options.
Past Outreach and Engagement:
In 2015, the city initiated an advisory ballot question to gauge the electorate’s preference for the Armory site as a future community use or city offices; the community use narrowly passed. Once again in 2018, the election cycle included a ballot question presenting two locations for a new city hall; the results confirmed a preference for the Rio Grande/Galena Plaza site with a 57 to 43 percent margin.
Looking to the past to shape the future
For many decades, the Armory served as Aspen’s City Hall, though many departments recently relocated to the new city hall facility at 427 Rio Grande Place. The facility currently houses the utility billing and IT departments. As the City of Aspen organization prepares for the next phase of the Armory’s history, we are engaged in community discussions about the future possibilities for the building’s programming use and remodel options, as well as the strategies necessary to achieve proposed goals.
Timeline:
July 31, 2024: Open House at the Armory
August 18, 2024: City Council Work Session for the team to present on design concepts.
It is anticipated that construction will start in 2026.
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Share Funding, Maintenance and Operational Ideas for the Armory on Facebook Share Funding, Maintenance and Operational Ideas for the Armory on Twitter Share Funding, Maintenance and Operational Ideas for the Armory on Linkedin Email Funding, Maintenance and Operational Ideas for the Armory link
Funding, Maintenance and Operational Ideas for the Armory
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Community-driven ideas for the future operations, funding and management for the Armory
Staff would like to explore available opportunities, list needs for additional information or exploration, gain insight from the community perspective and remain open to creative solutions that arise.
In February/March, we asked you for your programming ideas for the future of the Armory. Now that we’ve started to narrow down those options, we’d like to tap into community ideas on operations, maintenance, and financial responsibilities. Please share your expertise and creativity in sharing ideas on how these could be managed best by the City so we can incorporate this feedback into information shared with Council at the May 16 work session.Add your ideas and vote on others submitted (voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on April 24).
Results are intended to be shared with Council and our community at a Council Work Session on May 16. -
Share Programming Ideas for the Armory's Future Use on Facebook Share Programming Ideas for the Armory's Future Use on Twitter Share Programming Ideas for the Armory's Future Use on Linkedin Email Programming Ideas for the Armory's Future Use link
Programming Ideas for the Armory's Future Use
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas collection has concluded.Community-driven ideas for the future use and remodel options for the Armory
Staff would like to explore available opportunities, list needs for additional information or exploration, gain insight from the community perspective, and remain open to creative solutions that arise.
Please review the project information on the Armory and memo sent to City Council on February 7, 2022 for use and remodel considerations and constraints.
Add your ideas and vote on others submitted (voting ends at 5 p.m. on March 18).
Results are intended to be shared with Council and our community at a public meeting in May.Deanne Mover 2 years ago12 step and other resources for helping the people on the path to Recovery.
0 comment0devancraneover 2 years agoScience Center with interactive exhibits to benefit the community and visitors culture and education.
0 comment0SusanSover 2 years agoFood Court in Aspen would be a vital connection for the community and visitors
1 comment2bg543over 2 years agoFood/Merchant Hall
The armory should be a vibrant food and merchant hall with 6-12 small food vendors and small retail booths/shops. CofA should be the landlord and the CCLC should award leases based on concept and merit. Communal seating in the center. Imagine a small gourmet burger stall, a ramen stall, craft cocktail stall, maybe a fishmonger, a bakery stall. This would be transformative for affordability and variety of casual, quick dining options in Aspen.
7 comments14Rich Pover 2 years ago12 step recovery & resource center in Aspen for meetings and community outreach
0 comment1
Follow Project
The RFP Process
Key Dates
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November 13 2023
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October 04 2023
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June 05 2023
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February 06 2023
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May 16 2022
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April 14 2022
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April 13 2022
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April 12 2022
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April 06 → April 24 2022
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April 01 2022
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February 23 → March 18 2022
Project Life Cycle
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Define the Issue & Provide Background Information
Aspen's Armory Hall has finished this stageJanuary 1-February 23, 2022
- Research project history, constraints, opportunities
- Provide an overview and seek City Council direction at the Monday, February 7 Work Session
- Ensure the community has a thorough understanding of the situation and issues involved with the property
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Collect Community Input on Values & Use Options
Aspen's Armory Hall has finished this stageFebruary 23-March 18, 2022
- Facilitate a variety of opportunities to share information, outline the options and receive and consider community feedback and idea
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Evaluate Input & Identify Preferred Options
Aspen's Armory Hall has finished this stageMarch 19-April 5, 2022
- Evaluate all ideas and feedback to identify preferred options for further research and consideration
- Present transparent process of consideration of all feedback from community stakeholders, City Council and subject experts
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Collect Community Input to Refine Options
Aspen's Armory Hall has finished this stageApril 6-24, 2022
- Solicit final community feedback on preferred options prior to seeking consideration and approval
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Evaluate Input and Refine Recommendation
Aspen's Armory Hall has finished this stageApril 25-May 8, 2022
- Evaluate all ideas and feedback to refine preferred option for recommendation
- Present transparent process of consideration of all feedback from community stakeholders, City Council and subject experts
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Finalize Preferred Option Plan
Aspen's Armory Hall has finished this stageMay 9-16, 2022
- Prepare the preferred option for review and consideration of City Council approval
- Share the plan with the community, including clear communication about the decisions and rationale as well as how community input was considered and incorporated
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Implementation of the Preferred Option
Aspen's Armory Hall has finished this stageMay-December 2022
- Outline the implementation strategy and next steps
- Evaluate process to capture successes and areas for improvement
- Continue to evaluate plans shifts for alignment with any future shifts such as construction costs
- Update community stakeholders on project process
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Feb.-Nov. 2023
Aspen's Armory Hall is currently at this stage- Council reviews preferred options based on public feedback. Options identified are causal dining, community center, multi-purpose space, non-profit services, and lower price point retail.
- Council prioritizes Armory as an essential project.
- Design team conducts "fit test" to determine how much square footage is necessary for different types of uses.
- Open house scheduled for Oct. 4 to collect future public input.
- Council to meet Nov. 13, 2023 to provide direction on next steps.
Documents
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6-05-23 WorkSession FollowUp Memo.docx (2.56 MB) (docx)
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1_Council work session_Main Street cabin, OPH & Armory memo_6.5.23.docx (779 KB) (docx)
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2-06-23 WorkSession FollowUp Memo (002).docx (2.56 MB) (docx)
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02.06.2023 Memo to Council (16.4 MB) (pdf)
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05.13.2022 Memo to Council for May 16 Work Session (36.5 MB) (pdf)
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Refining Future Options Engagement Report | April 2022 (27.6 MB) (pdf)
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04.05.2022 Information Only Memo to Council (9.89 MB) (pdf)
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Community Values Engagement Report | February-March 2022 (2.85 MB) (pdf)
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The History of Aspen's Armory Hall (6.21 MB) (pdf)
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History assembled by AHS.pdf (3.77 MB) (pdf)
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02.22.2022 Memo to Council for February 22 Regular Meeting (110 KB) (pdf)
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Resolution #023 - Series of 2022 - Resolution on City Buildings.pdf (116 KB) (pdf)
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02.07.2022 Memo to Council for February 7 Work Session
Who's Listening
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Phone 9703192791 Email Carolyn.sackariason@aspen.gov