Developer Mark Hunt has submitted a plan to scrape and replace a downtown Aspen building. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason reports.
The land use application seeks to demolish the current building on Hopkins Avenue and construct a new one that would be two stories tall, plus a basement. The maximum height of the building would be 28 feet.
The street space and lower level would house retail stores, and the top floor would be office space. Currently, the city of Aspen building and engineering departments rent the basement space. Mitch Haas is the land use planner for the project. He says his client wants to keep at least one current tenant.
“We hope the city moves it offices back in on the second floor," he says.
The Hopkins Avenue building is one of five that Hunt has plans filed with City Hall. He recently scaled one project back on the Mill Street Mall after getting pushback from the public and the historic preservation commission. Instead of tearing down the buildings on that site, they will be remodeled.
Carolyn Sackariason, Aspen Public Radio news.