Officials discuss mural, theater projects

Tucumcari officials came up with a rough plan of action Thursday to begin restoration of murals throughout the city.

Any sort of plan for the long-closed Princess Theatre in downtown will be a lot more complex - and expensive.

Scott Crotzer, director of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce, organized two meetings Thursday regarding the murals and the theater with Emily Bates, tourism development coordinator for the state.

Doug Quarles, who has painted most of the 30-plus murals in town, earlier estimated it would cost $120,000 to restore all of them.

Bates said cost-share grants of up to $50,000 for building owners are available from the state's Rural Pathway Program, though she acknowledged a few murals have been "abandoned." Some money also is available from the tourism department's Clean and Beautiful program.

Quarles, who now lives in Arizona, said by teleconference he could restore two or three murals per year.

Bates encouraged mural restorations to include enhancements, such as a QR code that could lead visitors to listen to Quarles speak about the real-life inspirations for the mural. Crotzer said such an arrangement could prompt visitors to stay at a site for far longer.

Another possibility is a program that creates virtual reality or animation at the mural through a visitor's smartphone.

Crotzer said because of the lack of time before the Rural Pathway Program's fiscal year ends on June 30, he said he would recommend Quarles restore just one mural next spring - the 140-foot-long "Legendary Road" artwork on the east side of Lowes Market.

Crotzer said it remains the most-photographed mural in the city and is internationally famous among Route 66 enthusiasts.

Quarles estimated the cost to restore "Legendary Road" at $19,000. Other murals high on the to-do list are on Second Street near Tucumcari General Insurance.

At a second meeting about the Princess Theater, built by Arch Hurley and Gene Hawkins in 1917, Crotzer said the city needs "actionable" items for the landmark.

Though a new roof was installed on the theater in 2017, Tucumcari MainStreet director Connie Loveland said it needs to be inspected because of evidence of leaks inside. She also said plywood over a back entrance needs to be shored up.

Carlos Romero noted a rain gutter spout on the rear of the property goes only halfway down, with water eroding the mortar on one corner of the building and possibly causing it to drain inside.

Crotzer said during a recent inspection, he saw signs of a sewer backup in the basement.

Previous city manager Mark Martinez said earlier this year it would cost $1 million to $2 million to bring the venue up to code.

Bates mentioned the theater might be eligible for state tourism infrastructure funding, in addition to Rural Pathway Program grants.

Loveland added the theater also could be eligible for New Mexico MainStreet grants.

City Commissioner Ralph Moya said state Sen. Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas) has expressed support for any sort of project involving the Princess Theatre. Citing examples in Clayton and Santa Rosa, Moya said a drama or music-venue theater can be a driver for downtown economic development.

"We need to go forward with something," Moya said. "I think we're ready. I think we have interest in the community."

Loveland also favored the theater's use as a community arts center and improving the appearance of the facade.

Annie McCauley, owner of nearby Blanco Creek Boutique, agreed, saying tourists have shown a high degree of interest in the Princess.

Crotzer said he favored a phased cleanup of the theater's interior, which has suffered from floor collapses in the lobby and orchestra pit. He said a venue even with just "a raw space" can be attractive to what he called "guerrilla events."

The Princess Theatre group agreed to hold another meeting in December.

The Princess Theatre closed after a fire in 1962. In 1981, voters rejected a two-mill levy to restore the theater for use by the school district and city. The last time the theater was used was for a fiddlers contest in 1985.