Bisbee council moves ahead with potential Fair Building acquisition, orders inspections

The Bisbee Mayor and Council voted Jan. 20 to proceed with negotiations with the Restoration Museum board on a possible transfer of the Fair Building and to conduct additional inspections, including a sewer scope, before returning a final recommendation to council.

Mayor Ken Budge said preliminary inspections by city building and fire inspectors and an on-call engineer found only minor deficiencies; City Finance presented an estimate that operating a visitor center at the site would cost about $112,000 per year plus roughly $15,000 in utilities. Doug Dunn, vice president of the Restoration Museum, told council the museum had completed upgrades including new HVAC, an ADA restroom and updated electrical systems and suggested dedicating a 14-by-42-foot area in the building for a visitor center.

Several public commenters and councilmembers expressed concern. Amy Burkert urged caution about taking on another historic property while the Copper Queen Library needs repairs; Fred Miller noted the city already owns about 170 properties and warned bed‑tax dollars are intended to attract visitors not to cover building maintenance. City Attorney Joseph Estes told council the city should secure both a deed and a lease that preserves the museum’s continued use of parts of the building if a transfer proceeds.

The motion to proceed with negotiations and additional inspections passed 6–1. Council instructed staff to obtain a structural engineer’s assessment and clarify terms for deed transfer and lease arrangements before the council’s final action.