Rep. Leger Fernández secures nearly $1.3M for courthouse renovations

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-NM, delivered for Taos County and secured $1.26 million for the renovation of the Historic Taos County Courthouse, part of an overall $74 million she brought in for community projects across the district.

“The Board of County Commissioners of Taos County is excited and honored at reaching this step in the appropriations process,” said Taos County Commission Chair Candyce O’Donnell. “We’re so grateful to Congresswoman Leger Fernández for championing this meaningful project, which connects our Northern New Mexico community with our identity and our history.”

The courthouse renovation is one of nine projects to receive federal funding in FY 2022 under the newly created Community Project Funding (CPF) program in Congress. The money passed the Appropriations Committee, but still needs to pass in Congress before heading to President Biden’s desk for signing.

The funds would go towards stabilizing the building, providing ADA-compliant access (including an elevator), installing energy efficient equipment and upgrading public restrooms. The plan also includes the preservation of historic murals painted during the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

Leger Fernández toured the iconic building June 2, and met with Taos Mayor Daniel Barrone, Taos County Commissioners and Taos County Construction Manager Richard Sanchez to discuss the project.

The Historic Taos County Courthouse, built in 1932 on the Taos Plaza, served as a civic and symbolic center of the community for decades. It was vacated by the county government in 1970, and fell into disrepair.

Phased renovation

The Courthouse rehabilitation will occur over several phases. Phase 1 has an estimated budget of $1.5 million, to come from a Community Development Block Grant and the General Fund.

The work was put out to bid in the spring, but according to

O’Donnell, no contractors got their bids in on time, and the county is re-bidding the work.

Phase 1 includes demolition of the west infill, a new sewer line and storm sewer, a two-story elevator, an interior and exterior ADA-compliant ramp to the northside alley, and a new second-story staircase on the west side of the building.

A rough-in sprinkler system, a rough-in fire alarm system, new electrical service and transformer, and courtyard grading and sidewalks are also included in Phase 1.

Phase 1A, for which Rep. Leger Fernández secured $1.26 million through the CPF, would include a new fire alarm system, a replacement staircase from the Mural Room, ADA-compliant restrooms on both floors, electrical and mechanical work, and a rebuilt south portal.

Phase 2, with an estimated budget of $2.9 million, would include upgrades for mechanical, HVAC and electrical systems,

new basement stairs, new roofing, new windows and doors, demolition of the east infill, site grading and landscape work. It would also include replacing the building’s wood floors and resurfacing the exterior with stucco.

Growing gentrification

To some in the community, the courthouse renovation is a sign of growing gentrification in Taos.

Smoke Signals, a consignment shop selling arts and crafts from Taos Pueblo artists and Native Americans around the country, was forced to move out of its location in order to allow for the planned demolition of the courthouse’s west infill. It was the only Native-owned shop on the plaza.

A coalition has recently formed within the community to discuss “gentrification and its impact on the Taos and Santa Fe Plazas.” The group has organized a panel discussion including Ruthann McCarthy, Margarita Garcia and Alicia Guzman. The event will take place Thursday (July 29) from 6-8

p.m. at the Talpa Community Center, located at 3 Archuleta Road in Ranchos de Taos.

Other community projects

The eight other projects pushed by Leger Fernández include $880,000 for broadband in Española, $1.5 million for the San Felipe Community Center, $67 million for the Navajo–Gallup Water Supply project, $225,000 for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Clubs, $600,000 for the Roosevelt Special Hospital expansion, $1.1 million for the San Juan College Health and Human Performance Center, $250,000 for broad expansion for the Curry County Fairgrounds and $1 million for the Santa Fe public housing re-roofing project.

“These investments will create a lasting impact in each community served for generations to come,” said Leger Fernández. “I’ll always advocate so my district receives the federal funding we need to make our communities stronger.”

‘I’ll always advocate so my district receives the federal funding we need to make our communities stronger.’

U.S. REP. TERESA LEGER FERNÁNDEZ

D-NM