By MARK RAYBURN, Chair
Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board
A Letter to the Los Alamos Community:
The County may have to move the Visitor Center out of its office in the LA Chamber of Commerce office center, and are looking to relocate that function to another facility. They are currently working with the Fuller Lodge/Historic Districts Advisory Board, the Historical Society, and others to determine the best location as the next home for the Visitor Center.
At this time, the County has preliminarily selected the offices on the north end of Fuller Lodge lobby and have had some plans drawn up by an architect so that a remodel budget might be obtained. The County contractor who would work the Center would man that office (or any office location, for that matter) seven days a week.
Other locations for the Visitor Center could be considered as nothing has been finalized.
We are interested in obtaining the best input in regard to this change of location for the Visitor Center, and are asking you to make suggestions toward this decision. We would like to hear your ideas for the use of Fuller Lodge or the use of another not-yet-determined location.
This is an important decision that has the potential for long-term ramifications for whatever structure is chosen to become the Visitor Center’s new home. Whether it’s Fuller Lodge or any other structure, is a Visitor Center that building’s best use? And, with this move, what would be the best outcome for the community-at-large?
List of issues to be considered:
• How will the County mitigate the probable interruptions to other activities happening in and around Fuller Lodge—events such as Art & Craft Fairs, Farmer’s Market, Brown Bag Concerts, weddings, memorial services, big meetings, classes, family events with visitors services, etc.
• What is best for Fuller Lodge? Ten to twelve thousand additional visitors a year will mean more wear and tear on the doors, floors, trash cans, and bathrooms.
• How will the County alleviate probable parking issues, such as the expected increase in tour busses and private vehicles in already congested areas especially Bathtub Row)?
• Could an entrance to the Visitor Center be repositioned to the north side of Fuller Lodge so that people entering and gathering information are more isolated from any Lodge events?
• Wouldn’t it be great to introduce people to our community by having them walk into our most iconic building and have it be the first thing they really see in town? It is a great visitor experience.
• The AEC contract, when the County purchased the building for $1, states it is to remain a community center.
• It would be an advantage to the Historical Museum to have visitors right there.
• Will the budget include increased maintenance costs?
• How much money will the County save by moving the Visitors’ Center to a County-owned bulding?
• The Visitors’ Center at Fuller Lodge could be open seven days a week.
• The Red Cross building might be ideal, although there would be similar parking and traffic problems.
• How soon might the Park Service open up a Visitors’ Center as part of the Manhattan Project National Historic Park? Moving the location now might be counterproductive.
• Would the relocation of the Visitors’ Center impact visitors to the Science Museum?
• The Visitors’ Center was located at Fuller Lodge at one time; was it successful there? There were fewer visitors to our town.
• A Visitors’ Center would be better at the entrance to town.
• The Visitors’ Center should be a place where visitors learn what’s available in the entire community—not just what’s available as part of the Historic District. If it’s located at Fuller Lodge, will that hurt businesses and events in the rest of the community?
• Fuller Lodge is currently open to the public whenever the door is unlocked. If there’s an event, how would visitors be restricted from entering the area?
• If the Visitors’ Center is relocated to Fuller Lodge, can it be done on a temporary basis (1-2 years, at which time it is reassessed)?
• Would this move be good for our visitors?
• What is the price for remodeling Fuller Lodge versus leasing the space?
• Improving the affected space at Fuller Lodge is a good idea no matter what.
• This move would require more custodial support at whatever facility is used.
• Would it work for the VC to cohabitate with the Art Center?
• The current location of the Visitors’ Center (with the Chamber of Commerce) is a good location. It is easy to find, centrally located, there is plenty of parking, etc.
• A large sign on Fuller Lodge announcing the Visitors’ Center would be unacceptable.
• Perhaps have a Historic Districts Visitors’ Center in Fuller Lodge?
Please bring your input to the County Council Work Session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at White Rock Fire Station No.3 on N.M. 4.
