Sunday, July 2, 2023

Aspen Ideas 2023

 That's a wrap.
The leaf sculptures are back in their crates.



Monday, February 27, 2023

Walkability : Letter to the editor

 Do you want a main street strip mall or do you want a walkable city?


Lining Main Street with commercial buildings will not reduce traffic on Main.

Lining Main Street with commercial buildings will not reduce traffic on side streets.

Lining Main Street with commercial buildings will not increase walkability.


Want a walkable city? Each zone district has a restaurant, a grocery, and an ER within walking distance of where you sleep. 


If a city of 36 million can make that happen a city of 7000 should be able to make that happen. https://youtu.be/zysL_lkdtys


Vacancy Tax: letter to the editor


The vacancy tax plus the 1% increase in property tax are like trying to untie the Gordian Knot. You'll only get rope burn.

Don't untie a Gordian Knot. Use a big fat machete.

When I moved back to Aspen in 1991 from NYC my income dropped by 1/3+ but my net remained the same. Why? NYC has an income tax. Make an income tax for anyone claiming Aspen as a primary residence with a yearly income one thousand times+ the Colorado minimum wage. No Trumpian taxobatics allowed- tax the gross.  That should cool some real estate and renovation jets for a bit. Then do your Robin Hood $55 food tax rebate thing and redistribute on a larger scale - to the residents who don't make $3mill a year.