In this relationship, Aspen would assume the role of Big Sister, guiding the new Japanese ski resort, called Tomamu, in marketing and mountain operations. Shimukappu was also interested in learning about Aspen’s summer classical music festival, think-tank Aspen Institute and its environmental programs.
In the process of gleaning information about its overseas sibling, Shimukappu Mayor Nobunori Kannon became aware of the glaring employee housing shortage problem, which extended well beyond the ski bums who bus tables, patrol the mountains and clean condominiums for a living.
White collar workers like teachers and bank loan officers could not afford to live within a half-hour’s drive — in good weather — of where they made a living. To the Japanese, it seemed almost unconscionable not to be able to reside in your own village. In fact, Shimukappu was suffering from the opposite problem, a declining population due to young people fleeing the area in search of better jobs.
Meanwhile, long-time Aspenites Nicholas and Karinjo DeVore were struggling to make huge payments on an employee apartment complex for which they’d overpaid in order, to save it from sure demolition by developers. Hopes of finding an investor for the project were dashed when a neighbor, citing concerns about mass and scale of the proposed multi-family affordable housing complex, filed a lawsuit to stop development.
During a visit to Aspen in 1991, Mayor Kannon met Karinjo, a member of the Sister City Committee, and was reportedly interested in her attempts to aid the plight of Aspen working families. Kannon was impressed by this heartfelt effort and thought this was the perfect opportunity for Shimukappu to repay Aspen for its tutelage.
“Aspen is giving so much to them. This is something they perceived they could give back to Aspen,” Karinjo said.
So Little Sister decided to dig into her piggy bank and provide Big Sister a loan. A non-profit corporation, Sister City Housing, Inc., was created to finance the $4 million employee housing complex called “Billings Place,” that honored the former owner of the apartment house. Built in 1958, the structure was the epitome of Aspen funk and home to a stream of ski bums and Aspen characters (including Nicholas, who’d resided there for 32 years). Located on a prime piece of property just one block from the ski mountain and gondola, the project was not a hard sell.
The DeVores had an architect sketch plans calling for the existing ramshackle building to be demolished, but instead of being replaced by a single, mammoth vacation home, the new Billings Place would have seven affordable housing units and three free-market units.
According to attorney Dave Myler, representing Shimukappu’s interests, the city will assume the majority burden of the project, coughing up between $3.5 million and $4 million, while Aspen will provide a comparatively paltry $500,000.
Some people remain skeptical of Shimukappu’s motives, insisting this was just another case of the Japanese buying into America. Attorney Myler said they have the potential to recoup their money, but gain little else.
The two 5,000- to 6,000-square-foot free-market units will probably start at $1.6 million each, while the decidedly smaller employee restricted units may be offered to qualified residents at $70,000 and up.
Devore said the magnanimous offer by the Japanese is a real twist on people who typically buy in Aspen just to make a profit. “Complete friendship, that’s the goal,” she said. “This is a Sister City relationship in its purest form.”
