Commission approves change order to add kitchen, infrastructure to detox remodel phase 1

Taos County commissioners on Aug. 5 approved a change order to phase 1 of the county’s detox facility remodel to add a kitchen and to relocate or complete infrastructure work that will serve a planned second phase.

Christopher Madrid, a county staff member presenting the item, told commissioners the county identified additional needs after consulting with the prospective tenant: "We identified that we needed to have a kitchen so that we could get folks fed, and it would make a lot more sense to do that beforehand than to get started, get people in there, and then try to do the construction." He added that some infrastructure work serving a future phase was moved into phase 1 "so we don't disrupt ongoing operations later on with another construction project."

Why it matters: County staff said completing the kitchen and certain infrastructure now avoids future interruptions and additional costs from returning to an occupied facility. Staff also described ongoing regulatory requirements that can alter plans and timelines, including a need to replan work when regulators require changes in placement of utilities.

Timing and next steps: Commissioners asked about the project schedule. County staff said demolition and some planning are already complete and that equipment (including a hood relocated from Amalia) is on hand, but they declined to provide a firm opening date. The county manager said the next priority is to get the lease approved by the State Board of Finance and that staff aim to submit the package for the board’s consideration next month. The commission voted to approve the change order.