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Taos Main Street urges town–county partnership to spend $1 million plaza grant before June 2027
Summary
Taos Main Street told the joint Taos County–Town meeting the state awarded $1,000,000 in capital outlay for phase 2 of Plaza improvements; presenters said the award was made in December 2023 and warned the grant reverts in June 2027 unless spent. Officials discussed logistics, matching funds and phasing to minimize disruption.
Taos Main Street Director Charles Whitson told the Taos County and Town of Taos joint meeting that New Mexico Main Street awarded $1,000,000 for phase 2 of downtown Plaza improvements, and that the funds carry a reversion date of June 2027.
"We were officially awarded in December 2023. That award was for $1,000,000," Whitson said, emphasizing that the grant was intended for above‑ground plaza work developed by the town and Living Design Group architects. He described the grant as funding items such as a gazebo refurbishment, electrical and accessibility upgrades and possible modifications to the Veterans Memorial footprint.
County and town officials repeatedly said they favor a partnership to spend the funds as intended rather than letting the state reallocate them. County staff explained the state will allow reallocation only after a cumbersome legislative reappropriation, so the practical option is to submit a town resolution enabling the state to enter a grant agreement with the county to receive and spend the funds on the plaza project.
Officials also discussed the local match and ownership issues. County staff said New Mexico Main Street typically requires a local match and that the town’s earlier outlay on phase 1 could satisfy matching requirements: "they would be willing to honor the town's investment… so the county would not need to come up with an additional $250,000 in matching funds," Whitson said. Town councilors and commissioners asked for clear survey and ownership information for sidewalks and electrical infrastructure and stressed careful phasing to limit disruption to downtown businesses.
County staff said the county plans to hire contractors under a state price agreement with a goal of completing some above‑ground work by early summer: "Our goal is to be out of there before the July 4," a county staff member said. Officials agreed to continue coordination on a resolution and to return with the required management and legal steps so the money can be spent for the plaza improvements before the reversion date.
