The SUN applauds Tuesday’s decision by Town Council to table Ordinance 808 authorizing execution and delivery of a lease agreement for a new Visitor Center to be located in the former downtown City Market building complex.
At the council meeting, in an eleventh-hour appeal, businessman Jeff Greer pleaded with the council to set aside the decision to execute the lease in hopes that new leadership in the town, Chamber and Town Tourism Committee could reboot negotiations and keep the Visitor Center in its current location on Hot Springs Boulevard.
Other audience members also spoke out and shared their viewpoints in favor of not moving the Visitor Center, including Lee Riley, J.R. Ford, Shari Pierce, Cynda Green and Mark Weiler. We commend our concerned business leaders and citizens for stepping forward and advocating to do what is best for our community.
We feel the Visitor Center location that speaks best for our community is the current scenic location on the banks of the San Juan River, next to the hot baths, with the Riverwalk, Reservoir Hill, numerous festivals and activities and within view of the historic downtown — all of which convey the true ambience of Pagosa Springs.
We appreciate the dedication and work of the task force who made the recommendation of the shopping complex following lengthy discussions in their efforts to keep the Visitor Center downtown, but we champion for keeping the center in its current location.
Thanks to our current council for tabling the decision to sign the lease for a new Visitor Center location, thus giving our new leaders the opportunity to convene at the table and work together for the betterment of our community.
It’s imperative that new leadership in these organizations cast aside all egos in order to make the decision that is best for our community. Compromises must be made.
We owe it to our visitors. We owe it to our businesses. We owe it to our community.
Terri Lynn Oldham House
