Business Section

December 30th, 1999

New Project Sought for Bond Money

¡ Front Page

By Michael Turnbell
Journal Staff Writer


historic look is maintained no matter who owns it.
As part of the deal, Kelly's owners are required to work with the neighborhoods on setting conditions for the brew pub's operation.  The owner and the county also were to submit an application to the city's Landmarks Commission to register the building.
The Nob Hill Highland Renaissance Corp. plans to ask the commission next month to do a study that would take a closer look at other options to spend the remaining bond money before a d decision is made.  It backed the county's original plans to put a Route 66 community cultural center in the vacant Jones building.
Marianne Dickinson, executive director of the group, said residents have different ideas on how the money should be spent.
Some still want a community cultural center or a place that could offer tours and information on the area's historic neighborhoods.  Some prefer using the money to save another good building fallen on hard times along Central.  And others see the potential of doing both.
"We really think that more research needs to be done on how to best use the money." She said.
A city sturdy released earlier this year said no new community centers are needed in the Not Hill area.  But Dickinson said the study's findings

About a year ago, Bernalillo County voters approved $800,000 in bond money to save the old Jones Motor Co. building.
But Kelly's Brew Pub beat the county to the punch with a plan to expand its operations inside the Not Hill building.
Now the county must find another project to spend the $720,000 in bond money that remains.
County Commission Chairman Tom Rutherford, who represents the area, said he would like to see a "community center-type project" but wants to make sure the Kelly's project "get off the ground."
"I'd hate to have us move forward and have that deal fall apart and lose the building a second time," Rutherford said Tuesday.
Kelly's co-owner Janice Bonfantine said the renovation is still on tract but has taken longer than anticipated.  She said cold weather has slowed work on the building's exterior while ordering supplies in keeping with the building's historic character also has contributed to the delay.
"We're thinking we should have it ready by the end of March," Bonfantine said.
In October, the commission withdrew its threat to seize the Jones building and agree to spend $80,000 of the bond money to buy a facade easement to ensure the building's

were based on false assumptions.
"It said the community has access to facilities such as the Highland Senior Center," she said.  "As a member of a number of groups that have tried to get access to hold meetings there, I can tell you it's just not available to the public."