Alamosa School District seeks 700 Main for offices and alternative campus; council weighs zoning and downtown impact

The Alamosa School District asked city council on Tuesday evening to allow a one-time, limited educational use at 700 Main so the district can move its central administration and an alternative education campus into the downtown building.

Diana Jones, superintendent, apologized that the district's attorney-prepared statutory notice "did not come across" as intended and said the district welcomed dialogue. She told council the district is still in due diligence but that "700 Main is the only available building in town to meet all of our needs." The district negotiated a purchase and parking-lot deal for $2,300,000 and estimates roughly $1,000,000 more would be needed to make the building school-ready, Jones said.

Why it matters: District officials said their alternative and online programs have outgrown the current space at 209 Victoria and that larger, better-configured classrooms would support students who need flexible schedules and intensive supports. Students and staff told council the current rooms are cramped and said expanded space would allow hygiene stations, showers and laundry facilities the district uses to support students in housing…