ISSUE #195: Historic Hysteria and the End of an Era (6/6/21)

"I cannot look at modern buildings without thinking of historical ones." -- Kevin McCloud

ASPEN TIMES COLUMN

For my long-time readers, the story of 312 W. Hyman Avenue is one you have read about in these pages for years. The saga recently ended, I think, when the city sold the 1950s-era prefabricated "kit" home it had controversially purchased in 2007 and dubiously preserved as historic.

The sale of this non-performing asset is being heralded within city hall for bringing a nearly half-million dollar "profit" to the housing development fund when, conservatively, the place was sold for millions less than it should have.

The whole story is a shameful chapter for the city and one that illustrates the dictatorial historic preservation game, how ill-equipped the city is to deal in real estate, and how clueless our elected leaders are in determining and executing sound fiscal policy.

Read my column in yesterday's Aspen Times HERE

Additionally, here is the listing for 312 W. Hyman.