Re: Chama Interpretive center/ library

OK we have established that this is the warehouse under discussion for restoration as a museum/ library. Maybe not the most beautiful looking structure on the outside but; 1. it is historic to the site and 2. it is what will be on the inside that counts " /> Frank, you say that this option was looked at by the Friends and 3,000 square feet was inadequate for the needs. With a full basement you double this to 6,000 square feet. Yes, it is not expandable beyond that but how big a space are the Friends planning for in the first place? It would appear that the walls are about 16 feet high and with an open truss interior it would give a very expansive and rustic feel appropriate to the mission at hand...
OK as to the negatives, yes it would take back the parking lot space it was originally demolished to provide but can't the village or with some creative site design replacement parking be found? I would hope that the infernal combustion car's reign of site supremacy would rate lower on the architect's list of priorities... besides with this location the existing parking lot does double duty for the train passengers and museum, and with an online/ticket office open year round in the museum folks stopping by might even make a reservation to ride the train. Which is an important goal to keep the train running right?
As to the impact of the structure blocking photo opportunities in the yard, yes I suppose it does require some adjustment of our field of focus, but then it wasn't a problem until the 1970's so I guess all the old time photographers had better people filters and/or less tourist's to deal with....so I guess the tradeoff is a corrugated iron structure in the background of our photos vs. the latest model SUV in the parking lot...
The Friends are the keepers of the historical and museum function of the C&TS. If we are going to spend good money to build a museum then why not do it by also restoring part of the historic nature of the Chama site. As to where the money to build it would come from, I would confidently predict that with a historic restoration as I am suggesting and state of the art interior museum design, that grants, campaign pledges and potentially a long term mortgage could make this a reality in a very short timeframe.
As the old saying goes, "if we build it they will come". Seems like a win-win for everybody concerned.
Rod Jensen