City Manager Steve Barwick announced March 8, that former long-range planner Jessica Garrow is now leading the Community Development Department.
She says her “open door policy” is meant to encourage direct conversation with the public.
“It really comes down to what are the community values, what is the community vision?” said Garrow.
The director position opened when longtime city employee Chris Bendon announced last fall that he would be going into private practice with the department’s senior planner, Sara Adams. During the search for a new director, a group of community members led by Maurice Emmer petitioned the city to consult the public during the hiring process.
“It’s kind of par for the course with the city - elevating the next person in line… that’s what they do,” said Emmer. “And very insular and that’s why we don’t make significant progress in the city.”
Long term goals for the director position include full implementation of the Aspen Area Community Plan which will need coordination from City Council, as well as local housing and transportation authorities.
Garrow’s first tasks will be finding a replacement for the long-range planner position, as well as
a new entry level planner and new senior planner. Her starting salary is $113,610.
Earlier: March 6, 2016 3:30pm
After months of searching for the right candidate, it was announced today that Jessica Garrow, the former long-range planner for the city of Aspen, will be the new community development director. She was selected from a pool of more than 40 applicants by City Manager Steve Barwick, with input from a selection committee and citizen boards.
“We were fortunate to have finalists with excellent skills, experience and understanding of resort communities,” said Barwick in a press release. “Jessica rose to the top due to her deep understanding of Aspen’s values and her commitment to making improvements in the department. Jessica’s local knowledge and experience will be a real asset in dealing with the challenges Aspen is facing in the near future.”
Four of the applicants made it to the final round of interviews, which included meeting with the city’s planning and zoning commission, historic preservation commission, the community development staff, a steering committee panel and a meet-and-greet with the public.
Barwick took individual comments from all those involved in the interviews, as well as the general public, ultimately making his decision between two finalists: Garrow and Sheryl Bower, community development services director for the City of Longwood, Fla.
Garrow has worked for the city of Aspen for 10 years and for eight as the long-range planner. Her oversight on the Aspen Area Community Plan update won national and state awards. She said she is excited to continue her career with the city and looks forward to new challenges.
“As director, my focus will be on implementing the City Council’s policy direction and the community vision as expressed in the AACP and strengthening the department’s relationship with the community and the boards that are integral to our success,” Garrow said. “I also want to stress that providing exceptional customer service is a top priority.”
Garrow will begin immediately with a starting salary of $113,610.
