An open house has been scheduled from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31 in Lionshead to share the latest designs for redevelopment of the Vail municipal site with members of the community. Hosted by the project’s partners – Town of Vail, Vail Valley Medical Center, the Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute – the gathering will be held in the Grand View room on the third level of the Lionshead Welcome Center. During the open house, architectural drawings will be displayed by project representatives showing the proposed exteriors for the new municipal building, plus the adjacent medical office building as well as site plans showing the relationship between the two buildings which will be connected by an underground parking garage. An updated development review schedule will also be available as well as a chronology of the project’s progression.
The most recent milestone occurred on July 17 when the Town Council approved a schematic design for the interior of the municipal building, which will house new offices for the administration, finance, human resources, community development, economic development, municipal court and the information technology departments, as well as new town council chambers. The design assigns approximately 22,525 square feet to the building’s interior layout. The bulk, mass and height of the new municipal building have also been finalized.
On Aug. 7 the Town Council will continue its decision-making process in reviewing the schematic design for the exterior of the new municipal building. This will include materials, parking and loading operations and off-site improvements. The council will also be presented with pre-construction cost estimates for the new building based on earlier design approvals. The Town Council has reviewed a series of funding options for the construction ranging from paying cash to financing the project through certificates of participation, or a combination of the two.
Redevelopment plans for the site have been underway since May 2011 when the town was approached by leaders of Vail Valley Medical Center, the Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute with a proposal to address the growing needs of its medical facilities which had become landlocked. With the town’s aging municipal complex nearing the end of its useful life, the prospect of redevelopment has been supported by the Town Council because of its long-term economic and civic benefits.
The schedule anticipates a development review application submitted to the town later this month. The development review process will include verification of compliance with the town code, a proposed subdivision of the property and design review. Following approvals, construction could begin as early as June 2013.
For additional details, contact Community Development Director George Ruther at 479-2145.