In Brief: Lumberyard affordable housing timeline; July 24 Red Brick community art gathering

Lumberyard affordable housing

The city of Aspen has authorized a contractor, Gorman and Company, to begin construction of approximately 300 rental units on 11.3 acres across from the Aspen airport in the location of the former lumberyard, according to a press release.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, and leasing will begin in mid-2028, continuing through 2029. The city of Aspen is planning to invest $250 million into the housing project. To support the investment, Aspen is considering a ballot question to allow for the approval of $70 million in bond funds. The $70 million will not affect taxes. 

Aspen will continue to own the land the development is being built on, but will have Gorman and Company build, own, and manage the property in accordance with local Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority regulations and deed restrictions.

“(The city is) investing in long-term community resilience and ensuring that the people who make Aspen thrive have the opportunity to live here too,” Chris Everson, Aspen’s affordable housing project manager, said in the release.

The public can stay up to date on project developments at aspencommunityvoice.com/lumberyard.

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Red Brick Center for the Arts to host community gathering

The Aspen Red Brick Center for the Arts and the Aspen Chambers Resort Association are hosting a community gathering to celebrate local arts and artists from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, on the Red Brick lawn. 

The event will feature live music, presentations from local artists, light refreshments, and a flower-making station hosted by the Aspen Polynesian Dancers. There will be presentations from at least 10 local artist residents and open studios, and patrons will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on art making. Live music will be performed by the Josefina Mendez Trio and the JAS Student Street Horns, who will perform a preview set. Theatre Aspen will also present a preview of their upcoming performance, “Seussical Jr: Oh The Thinks You Can Think.” Aspen Film will present a series of short films.

The event is free, and no pre-registration is required.