Council seeks public input on former US Bank building, schedules community workshop

Councilors reviewed the recent site visit to the former US Bank building (120 West Plaza) and directed staff to pursue community engagement and feasibility work for reuse of the town-owned property.

Manager Martinez told councilors the building contains about 5,465 square feet in total: roughly 4,359 square feet on the lower level and about 1,106 square feet upstairs. Staff reported roughly $300,000 remained from the purchase line item for preliminary work. Martinez emphasized the town will solicit public input and hold a community workshop—currently proposed for Dec. 9—to gather ideas before advancing design or an RFP.

Fire Marshal Obi Simreka cautioned that changing a building’s legal occupancy classification (it is currently set up as a bank) may trigger code upgrades. “When you begin to change the legal use of a building, it opens that building up to being required to meet different codes, different standards,” Simreka said, and he recommended a thorough code analysis and an architect’s feasibility review. Simreka also noted accessibility limits for the upstairs space and said an elevator would be a significant cost item; staff estimated a modern elevator at roughly $300,000 but said less-expensive equipment lifts are a possible alternative for nonpublic uses.

Staff and councilors discussed a range of possible uses raised during the site visit and in public comment: a youth or community center, rotating nonprofit space, a cultural or heritage center, a film or economic-development office, and visitor services. Community presenter Christina “Kiki” Siebenaler from True Kids 1 urged the town to consider space for youth media, coding and STEM programming; staff said the building’s greater square footage could allow multiple, rotating occupants and daytime and evening programming.

Council members asked staff to coordinate with Taos County and Main Street to avoid duplicating services already planned on the plaza, and Mayor Maestas and others suggested exploring public-private partnerships, Main Street’s capacity to help manage interim programming, and use of the town’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) tools to fund renovation.

Staff noted the roof and exterior stucco are in fair condition, with some ponding observed after recent rains; Garland offered to provide a free roof assessment. Martinez said minor interior repairs would be necessary to convert the former bank layout, including removing or reconfiguring teller counters and updating restrooms for public use. Police and staff also discussed a short-term security presence to prevent vandalism and to keep the utilities running during winter months.

Ending — Next steps

Council asked staff to: (1) schedule and advertise a Dec. 9 community workshop at the building for public input; (2) prepare a code/feasibility analysis and a roof assessment; and (3) explore short-term interim uses (including limited staffed presence) while the town develops an RFI/RFP process and longer-term plans.