Reposted from the Las Cruces Bulletin 1/16/15
By Todd G. Dickson Las Cruces Bulletin
As plans for a Downtown plaza come closer to completion, Las Cruces city councilors are trying to decide what kind of stage it should have.
Acting as the Downtown Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) board, City Council – with Dona Ana County Commission Chairman Billy Garrett – met Monday, Jan. 12, to review all the options.
City staff presented a rendition of the plaza – to be located in the area where the Bank of the West drive through windows are now – showed a tree-lined plaza with a water feature on the south end and a permanent, raised 30- by 40-foot stage on the south end, with an arched roof attached to four square pillars.
City Councillor Ceil Levatino said she liked the concept, adding that grass could be added to the northeast corner by water feature in response to a concern raised by Garrett that the concept had only a large paved area and no lawns.
Much of the TIDD discussion revolved around whether there should be a permanent stage and, if there is a permanent stage, how large it should be.
Mark Johnston, director of Parks and Recreation, said every foot of raised stage requires 20 feet of ramp for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the ramp need only be along the rear of the stage.
Speaking for a group of Downtown business owners, former Mayor Ruben Smith said they want the stage to be a permanent structure and the proper size. During concerts, business owners want the sound to carry all along Downtown’s Main Street so patrons can also enjoy the performances, he said.
Smith said a large, permanent stage would help bring more events to Downtown.
Mayor Ken Miyagishima said he also favors a permanent stage with some kind of portable stage available to expand if needed, and also could be used at other locations in the city.
City Manager Robert Garza said he favored a permanent stage because it would be more cost-effective, based on estimates of long-term operations. A permanent stage, he said, would provide “a full-time venue for full-time activities.”
City Councillor Gill Sorg said he favored a permanent stage with shade feature.
Mayor Pro Tem Greg Smith said he wasn’t totally convinced that a permanent stage is the way to go, but added he was leaning toward starting off with large flat area and using temporary stages until more events prompt the need for a permanent stage.
For the sound to really carry, a wall may be needed, and Smith said he was concerned that a wall greater taller than 3 feet tall could obscure view, considering the Downtown revitalization effort reopened Main Street to give greater visibility to the remaining older buildings.
The mayor pro tem agreed the large arch roof concept is minimally intrusive to the view.
Councillor Nathan Small countered that an open area would be too much of “blank canvas” and agreed that a permanent stage would likely be more cost-effective. The design and decoration of the stage could be used to illustrate the city’s history and culture, he said.
City Councillor Olga Pedroza said she wanted to see cost comparisons for the different options before making a final decision.
The council as the TIDD will need to make a decision relatively soon, as a final plaza design is needed to close the deal with the Bank of the West for the city to acquire the property.
City Councillor Miguel Silva said the final decision should balance aesthetics with functionality. Silva said he would like to see a stage with both permanent and non-permanent features. A stage would complement Downtown signature events, such as SalsaFest, Country Music Festival and Chile Drop, he said.
The water feature on the north end could be a fountain or a water splash play area for children to enjoy. There also was discussion of having a sundial somewhere on the plaza.
The council also reviewed a variety of street projects to spend $7.46 million from the portion of TIDD money set aside for road improvements. The projects are all related to the eventual return of two-way traffic to Church and Water streets.
Garza said a special TIDD board meeting will likely be held to vote on the final plaza design.