Is it over yet? Construction in narrow Aspen neighborhood slated for October hiatus

A neighborhood at Park and Midland avenues in Aspen continues to undergo significant infrastructure upgrades aimed at resolving long-standing drainage and safety concerns, according to the city.

The $1.6 million project, which includes installation of a new underground stormwater system and replacement of a 60-year-old water main, began on Park Avenue in 2024 and is expected to end for the season on Oct. 31. Two blocks of Park Avenue have continued to be closed to motor vehicle traffic due to ongoing construction. Motorists are instead directed to take an alternative route on Midland Avenue. 

The city infrastructure project, however, is not the only construction in the neighborhood. According to city permit records, a former two-story duplex was torn down a block away from the separate city construction site to make way for a new 5,694-square-foot single-family residence at Hopkins and Midland avenues, which is currently being built.

To minimize disruption from the city’s project and preserve neighborhood character, Aspen officials undertook a multi-year outreach campaign beginning in 2020. Residents were invited to share their concerns in one-on-one interviews and community meetings, which ultimately shaped the final design. 

“These meetings and outreach events significantly influenced the project’s direction, resulting in minimal hard infrastructure changes to preserve the Park Ave. character and protect the landscaping as much as possible,” said P.J. Murray, project manager with Aspen’s Engineering Department.

In addition to the water main replacement and new stormwater system, the city’s infrastructure upgrades include sidewalk, pedestrian, and traffic safety improvements.

“The section of Park Ave. has been a significant concern for the community due to near misses and the feeling of being unsafe while walking in the narrow corridor,” Murray explained. “This corridor is a critical thoroughfare from downtown Aspen to the popular Smuggler Trailhead. With increasing usage, providing safe, dedicated spaces for pedestrians will help alleviate these concerns.”

The project, now roughly halfway complete, marks a milestone in the city’s long-term vision for a full-basin stormwater system. According to Murray, the area historically lacked proper conveyance infrastructure, often resulting in nuisance drainage issues. By channeling runoff directly to the Roaring Fork River through new stormwater pipes and a treatment vault, the project is expected to improve both water quality and flood resilience.

“Additionally, we are installing a water quality treatment vault near the new outfall,” Murray said. “This vault will provide much-needed pollution removal from stormwater runoff, which was previously untreated.”

The city has already completed construction of the new outfall structure and installed the water quality vault. About 50% of the water main and stormwater piping have been laid beneath the narrow corridor. Work in the coming months will include pipe completion, a new fire hydrant, sidewalk construction, ADA ramps, curb and gutter, and fresh asphalt paving.

To accommodate the new sidewalk, the roadway has been shifted west, allowing the east side to hold the pedestrian infrastructure while still preserving two-way traffic. Despite the tight construction zone and multiple active projects, the Park Avenue improvements remain on schedule and within budget, Murray said. 

Work on the new stormwater system will switch gears from Park Avenue to Midland Avenue in 2029, according to city documents.