Park City takes soft stance against idling
PARK CITY, Utah—The Park City City Council has adopted a resolution that seeks to discourage idling of cars and trucks.
The resolution levies no penalties for those who do idle their vehicles, but 15 signs will be erected announcing the wishes of the council. Particularly at issue are places where people congregate, such as the downtown district. The resolution also acknowledges that idling is sometimes warranted, including times when temperatures drop below 32 degrees or above 48 degrees.
The Park Record reports that the council may later adopt penalties for idling, as Aspen, Colo., Ketchum, Idaho, and Revelstoke, B.C., have done.
Mayor defends the real estate economy
TELLURIDE, Colo.—It's a tradition in Telluride for the mayor to deliver a state-of-the-town address in January. This year, Mayor Stu Fraser used the occasion to make a spirited defense of the real estate and second-home segments of the economy.
"Without all of us, our school system would not be as vital, our affordable housing not as important, our economy not as varied, our nonprofits not as diverse and our ski area not as dynamic," Fraser said. "Each one of us plays into the future of our community. Some who want town to be the same as in the '70s are frustrated because the town has grown up around them and in some cases in spite of them.
"Those who arrived later see Telluride as the answer to their dreams and aspirations. They are no different than those who arrived earlier. Telluride is an exceptional community. We are all fortunate to have shared time here ..."
Fraser also said Telluride has an opportunity to become a "new and unique destination in the otherwise cookie-cutter world of mountain resorts."
He also reiterated the desire for Telluride to step up efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy.
Breckenridge house sale sets new high
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—A 6,565-square-foot house has sold in a subdivision adjacent to the Breckenridge ski area for $8.25 million. That far and away is the most money ever paid for a house in Summit County, breaking the previous record of $5.6 million.
The home, reports the Summit Daily News, has seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and four fireplaces plus three laundry rooms. As well, the home has a 2,000-square-foot heated patio.
Realty agents tell the newspaper that sales have picked up in recent months and that transactions in the market segment for $2 million-plus homes actually accelerated from 2008. Dan Corwin, spokesman for Breckenridge Associates Real Estate, said a few homes sold for 65 to 70 percent of their original asking price. Many sold for 88 to 90 percent. A few, he said, got the asking price, and possibly more.
In neighboring Eagle County, prices have dropped, but some neighborhoods still remain extremely expensive. Such is the case at Bachelor Gulch, a part of Beaver Creek, where the average sales price in November was $6.35 million.
Fall in Love in Aspen among special events
ASPEN, Colo.—There has been much squawking of late about a so-called reality television show that purports to show what Aspen is really like. Ain't even close, say Aspen locals.
But yet, by the nature of its business the city sort of plays to the same myth. Consider where the City Council has decided to spend special seed money for special events. A new event, called Fall in Love in Aspen, is to get $10,000. The event, explains The Aspen Times, will target singles in their 20s, 30s and 40s who will visit during a three-day event in October with the goal of meeting mates.
Then there's Aspen Fashion Week, an existing event that will include slopeside runway events, fashion shows and parties.
And then there will be Outside in Aspen, scheduled for mid-June, which intends to draw weekend warriors to compete in rafting, rock climbing and other outdoor events. The event sounds like it is intended to compete with Vail's much bigger Teva Mountain Games, itself partly a response to Aspen's X Games.
Behind the green curtain, the reality of Aspen is a lot of 8 to 5, just like everyplace else, and a lot of questions about next month's mortgage payment.
