Aspen’s Galena Plaza plan gets focus

ASPEN – The city of Aspen will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 20, to seek input on the design of the Galena Street Plaza, also referred to as the library plaza.

The plaza is actually the roof of the Rio Grande parking garage and it is leaking. Repairs to the roof are necessary, prompting discussion about what might happen in the plaza space.

The open house-style meeting offers a chance for attendees to share their vision for the plaza. Participants can drop by the Rio Grande Meeting Room (next to the plaza) any time between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. or between 5 and 7 p.m., and stay a few minutes or throughout the session. Food and beverages will be served.

To fix the garage roof, its leaking membrane must be replaced. That means everything must be removed from the plaza, including soil, plants and paving, according to the city. Staffers are seeking public input as they design the new plaza; meetings are anticipated throughout the summer.

There will be no buildings associated with the project except, perhaps, replacement of the elevator/stairwell building connecting the garage to the plaza.