ASPEN — —Lodge managers and stakeholders within the accommodations sector are “generally unenthusiastic” about the idea of building a moderate-priced hotel in the Aspen area, according to the first phase of a Community Development Department lodging study released Tuesday.
Hotel operators were asked to respond to this question: “There has been talk of the city partnering with a developer to build a moderate-economy lodge. Do you think this is viable? Do you think it’s a good idea?”
Planner Stan Clauson said point blank that the city of Aspen shouldn’t get into the lodging business.
“If the city is going to partner on anything, it should make sure the Lift 1A area truly becomes a portal with great amenities,” he is quoted as saying in the city’s study. “I’d even suggest that upper Aspen Street is a blighted area worthy of an Urban Redevelopment Authority.”
Improvements along South Aspen Street and at the base of the Lift 1A area would help to save the smaller lodges in the Shadow Mountain and Main Street neighborhoods, Clauson added.
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