Pueblo to issue RFP for bathhouse restoration; council debates sequencing of historic designation

Pueblo City will issue a request for proposals seeking proposals to restore the city bathhouse, and councilors debated whether a historic designation should be reinstated before or after a restoration partner is selected.

Councilor Flores asked what bidders would be asked to do, and staff said the RFP will require restoration benchmarks, timelines and licensed contractors. "We're working on an RFP now," staff said, adding that the RFP will be for restoration with certain benchmarks and criteria and that staff will share the draft with council when it is complete.

Staff said the city will not provide funding for the restoration. "The city won't be providing any funding," staff said. Instead, the RFP is intended to allow the community group that has been advocating for restoration to apply for grants and bring licensed contractors and financing to the project.

Councilors pressed on sequencing: whether the city should reinstate a historic designation before soliciting proposals. A councilor noted the council previously approved a historic designation that the mayor vetoed, and asked whether the designation would be restored after an RFP winner is chosen. Staff cautioned the city against designating the building before a restoration partner is confirmed, citing the risk of owning a building the city could not afford to restore and referencing past issues with other properties.

Councilors also asked that prospective bidders include a new feasibility or condition study with their RFP submission so the city could evaluate restoration plans before making any historic-designation decision.

No formal action was taken at the work session; councilors directed staff to finish the RFP and promised additional review once proposals are received.