Negotiation Talks Between Town Of Breckenridge & Vail Resorts Fail

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - The Town of Breckenridge announced Monday morning that talks between the town and Vail Resorts Inc. to solve ongoing parking and transit issues have failed.

A final meeting on Friday did not yield any long-term plan or funding to implement a parking and transit plan.

"While we appreciate Vail's expression for a public/private partnership to help fund a parking garage, there was no specific offer made, and they clearly stated there was no interest in partnering on any long term funding towards the comprehensive parking and transit plan; that doesn't solve the problem," said Breckenridge Mayor John Warner.

Vail Resorts responded to the Town of Breckenridge with this statement which reads, in part: "We believe it is important to communicate directly with the greater Breckenridge community regarding our ongoing discussions with the Town of Breckenridge relating to parking, transit and new taxes. First, and most importantly, Vail Resorts has offered to contribute a significant majority of the cost of a new public parking garage, and do so in a way that will not pass along those costs to Breckenridge Ski Resort guests. We have also let the Town Council know that based on community feedback, the proposed parking structure on F-Lot (near South Main Street) should be more reasonably sized, as the 900 spaces proposed by the Town is far too large and will cause many ancillary problems. In addition, while we are very open to supporting a parking structure on F-Lot, we are willing to consider using our own land on South Gondola Lot for the garage, which could create more spaces at a much cheaper cost and avoid the traffic and visual concerns that have been raised about having such a large structure near the Town's historic core. This would also allow the Town to retain the existing public parking on F-Lot and to use the lot for future public benefits. Unfortunately, the Town Council has rejected all of these proposals."

Read the entire statement from Vail Resorts here.

The Breckenridge Town Council will now move forward in finding a solution to parking and transit issues, likely through an Admissions Tax. Also known as a "lift-ticket tax," it will be applied to any company that offers admission to Breckenridge.

Citizens have been heard from through a taskforce, community forums, coffee talks, and a poll, according to the town of Breckenridge.

The comprehensive parking and transit plan includes a garage, pedestrian bridge, round-a-bout and enhanced free bus service. The Town of Breckenridge currently spends $3 million each year on parking and transit, and implementation of this plan would require an additional $4 million to $6 million annually.