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ing, making the total planned investment far larger than what the Bonfantines would invest.

"The building is old and dilapidated," said Dickinson.  "It's basically just a shell.  I could see putting $1 million in there easily."

Perhaps more important, the NHHRC and other local business owners who support the community center are bitter over the Bonfantines' eleventh-hour effort to derail a process that has been underway for nearly two years.  Many say a community center would do far more to promote business in the Nob Hill district than an expanded brewery.

"The community center would offer cultural and community events, art workshops, and classes, and even a Route 66 museum," said George Kenefic, a member of the NHHRC board of directors and owner of the Nob Hill "Celebro" clothing store.  "You have to consider the whole business community, not just one specific business.  A community center will attract a much broader spectrum of people than a brewery, and with people visiting the center day and night, it would generate a lot more business for all stores in the Nob Hill area."

The debate is likely to grow more heated in the coming weeks, since at least two public events are planned to discuss the future of the old Jones Motor Co.  The NHHRC will hold an all-day "open house" on Aug. 12 at its offices at 4101 Silver SE to allow neighborhood residents and concerned citizens to give input on setting up the community center.  And, at the Aug. 31 meeting of the Bernalillo County Commission, supporter and opponents of the community center will be invited to speak.

In fact, the Bonfantines are already making detailed renovation plans. With a special focus on maintaining the original architecture of the Jones building to preserve its cultural and historical heritage.

"We will try as much as possible to leave the building intact the way it was," said Bonfantine.  "It's a huge financial investment, but we have the money to refurbish it.  The interior basically needs everything re-done, but the outside of the building is still in very good shape."

Nevertheless, community organizations in Nob Hill question whether the Bonfantines really have the finances needed to restore and preserve the historical site, which is a central goal for those who support converting the building to a community center.

"This represents a huge increase in the Bonfantines' business, and we're concerned about how it would be managed, especially given the historic importance of this building and its impact on the neighborhood," said Marianne Dickinson, executive director of the Nob Hill-Highland Renaissance Corp., which was instrumental in getting the bond issue, for county purchase of the building, on the ballot last year.  "Any business that takes over that complex needs to be well financed to refurbish and maintain it.  The fact is, the Bonfantines must be out of their current location by December because their lease will expire, and we fear they will just do a quick and dirty job to get into the new building on time."

According to Dickinson, Robert Slattery Construction Inc. did a walk-through estimate of the building last year and concluded that at least $500,000 would be needed just for general tenant improvements.  As a result, the state Legislature approved $500,000 for the building's renovation in this year's session.  However, the NHHRC - which would likely be housed at the community center - plans to raise another $100,000 - $200,000 in donations and grants to refurbish the build