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LAS CRUCES - One of the city's top legislative priorities has been approved by the Legislature, to the delight of Las Cruces officials.
The transfer of ownership of the Camuñez Building from the state to the city has been unanimously approved by both the state House and Senate.
Because the legislation was introduced as joint resolution, final approval does not require the signature of Gov. Susana Martinez. City Manager Robert Garza said the transfer of ownership is anticipated to be completed within weeks, rather than months.
"We're done, it's finished," Garza said. "There's still the formal closing and those documents that have to be prepared and executed to transfer the deed, but I expect that could happen in the next three to four weeks."
Mayor Ken Miyagishima said he was most pleased with the understanding that there will be no cost to city taxpayers to take over the building, which sits just to the south of the Rio Grande Theatre. Any renovations to the building will paid for through grants or other types of fundraising or donations.
"It strikes me as a little unusual that the governor doesn't have to sign the bill, but it's really good to know
That "good use" would mean the creation of an indoor mercado that could include shops, stores, a large art gallery, and a kitchen that could be used as a restaurant or for a catering service. City officials and supporters of downtown revitalization have envisioned the renovated building as a complement to the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market, which has drawn national acclaim in recent months.
The building used to serve as a juvenile probation office, operated by the state. However, it has been empty for several years, and a consortium of nonprofit organizations has been eyeing the building as something that could be used to spark economic development downtown. It is estimated that renovation of Camuñez Building could cost as much as $3 million.
Mike Beckett, owner of Coas Bookstore, just a few block north of the Camuñez Building, said there is a sense of anticipation now that it appears the city will soon be getting ownership of the building.
"I'm kind of excited about it," Beckett said. "I've always said the downtown has a place for a venue like that, and I hope it all comes to pass. But I'm also excited that we're starting to see things beginning to happen downtown. Things are starting to accelerate, and it means that we're starting to emerge."
City officials will continue to seek legislative support for its other priorities, a crisis triage center, where people could receive mental evaluations rather than be jailed, and a new emergency services dispatch center that would replace the aging Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority facility.
"One down and two to go," Garza said. "We'll keep working, keep hoping for those other two."
Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452.
Legislative priority
•The New Mexico Legislature has unanimously approved Senate Joint Resolution 1, which calls for the transfer of ownership of the Camuñez Building, in downtown Las Cruces, from the state of New Mexico to the city of Las Cruces.
•The state Senate approved the resolution 35-0 on Feb. 7, and the House of Representatives voted 65-0 in its favor on Feb. 14.
•Because the legislation is a joint resolution, it does not require the signature of Gov. Susana Martinez.
•The transfer of ownership to the city could be completed within the next three to four weeks.
•Acquiring the building was one of the city's top three legislative priorities this year.
•Plans call for the building to be converted into an indoor "mercado" that could include shops, stores, a full kitchen that could be used as a restaurant or catering service, and as an art gallery.
•No city taxpayer money would be used to renovate the building.
