Pitkin County staff are taking first steps to up-root and move ahead of a major construction project. Wednesday (10/14) the Clerk and Recorder’s office received approval to sign leases to move into three spaces. It’s one of several offices that will be displaced. Others will move to Basalt. Aspen Public Radio’s Marci Krivonen has more.
Clerk and Recorder Janice VosCaudill slides her hand along a huge countertop that fills the entire office. To get the massive piece of furniture to its new home a few blocks away, it’ll be sliced into multiple pieces, then reassembled.
Vos Caudill’s department handles elections, licenses and motor vehicle registration. It interfaces with the public more than most other county offices. That’s why the leases put her operations in the heart of Aspen.
"We know that our election department will be moving into the Ute Building. Staff will be on the second floor of that building, as well as one or two staff on the main floor. They will assist customers. We’ll be preparing for the presidential election next year in that space."
The office is moving to make way for 16 months of construction. The annex building where the clerk operates is getting renovated and a new 23,000 square foot building will attach to it. The project was prompted by a need to update multiple county offices.
"It’s not about anticipation of hiring new folks, it’s about accommodating the people who are serving the community now," says County Manager Jon Peacock.
To avoid construction noise and asbestos exposure, many departments will move. Peacock says it’s likely offices such as human resources, information technology and the attorney’s office will rent space in or near Basalt.
"We’re looking at alternatives downvalley because they’re so much cheaper."
The price of the entire renovation and construction project is about $20 million. That includes relocation and rental costs. Peacock estimates that occupying the Basalt locations for up to two years could cost $700,000.
"If you tried to keep folks in the project in a construction zone, we had estimated it to be about the same. We felt it was better from a public service perspective and a speed of getting the project done perspective, to go ahead and lease space."
Back at the county clerk’s office, Clerk Janice VosCaudill updates county resident Lisa Ruggieri about the move. Ruggieri says the relocation is fine with her.
I don’t mind at all. West on Main Street, that’s a problem but this way, I don’t mind at all. Stay in the core. I prefer no stairs."
The elections department is planning a major public outreach campaign before the move early next year. Construction on the county buildings will start in the spring.