Princess Theatre remediation to cost less than expected

Because the presence of asbestos in the long-closed Princess Theatre was less than expected, it likely will free up more money for facade improvements on the historic venue.

During the monthly meeting Thursday of the Princess Theatre advisory board, city manager Paula Chacon said a $1,800 assessment by Rhoades Environmental of Rio Rancho had found asbestos in just two areas — its front facade and in two offices.

The theater area itself had no asbestos, she said.

“He was surprised; there wasn’t as much as he thought,” Chacon said of the inspector.

Chacon said she would have an estimate later this month from the company for asbestos removal.

Board members during earlier meetings had anticipated using up to half of the $250,000 in capital outlay funds for asbestos remediation.

They now think it will be considerably less, leaving more than the $125,000 budgeted for facade improvements.

Board member Matt Monahan said he had drafted a request-for-proposals document for facade improvements.

The RFP draft suggests a collaboration between the city and Tucumcari MainStreet on the project. Facade improvement bids would be graded for their historical accuracy, aesthetics, cost-effectiveness and the contractor’s experience.

Monahan also suggested a mandatory site visit by bidders.

Mayor Ralph Moya, who presided over the meeting, suggested the asbestos removal and issuance of the RFP “get going” by late November.

That way, he said, city officials could show progress with the Princess Theatre when officials meet with state lawmakers during Quay Day in mid-January before the start of the 30-day legislative session.

Moya said in previous meetings that state Sen. Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas) has suggested the city request $1 million or more in additional capital outlay funds for the Princess.

The Princess Theatre board’s next meeting will be 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at City Hall.

The Princess was built by Arch Hurley and partner Gene Hawkins as the H-H Theatre in 1917. They renamed it the Princess Theatre a few years later.

The theater closed in 1962 after a fire, and it never reopened