A new option for Archuleta County’s permanent administration building was discussed during a work session held by the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Toward the end of the work session, under items of mutual interest, Commissioner John Ranson brought up that the county has been talking for months about potential options in finding a permanent home for its future administration building.
“And so far we haven’t reached the point where we’re moving ahead,” he said, explaining that one of the locations that has been considered would be a remodel.
Ranson then explained that the new option for the county is to purchase the office space located at 100 Country Center Drive, where the local business Camino Real Imports currently operates.
Ranson noted that the county would also be able to purchase three additional adjacent office spaces.
In March 2025, the county approved a $2.5 million purchase agreement to buy a 5.5 acre parcel located at 2901 Cornerstone Drive for the purpose of building a new administration building that would house the majority of county employees and services.
During the work session, Ranson presented a comparison of the Cornerstone Drive property and the Country Center Drive property that projected a total investment cost of $20.6 million for a new-build administration building on the Cornerstone Drive property. The comparison also indicated a total investment of $6.6 million to remodel the Country Center Drive property.
Ranson further explained that the largest space is the main suite where Camino Real Imports currently operates, and the county could have the option to purchase that space, which is just over 15,500 square feet, for roughly $2.2 million.
He noted that the three adjacent suites could be purchased for $1.8 million and would provide more 8,000 square feet of additional space.
In July, the BoCC heard from a consultant group, Performance Services Inc., about the projected costs of a new administration building, as well as the space the county would need now and for expansions in the future.
According to that consultant group, the county needs roughly 22,000 square feet “for now and for future growth,” Ranson said.
He noted that the total square footage of all of the suites the county could purchase at the Country Center Drive property would be more than 23,000.
“So, obviously enough space for current,” he said.
Ranson also explained that some of the space would require a “build-out,” which he noted in his property comparison would cost roughly $1.8 million.
Ranson also explained that local builders have discussed how the entrance to the building would be moved to North Pagosa Boulevard, noting the projected total investment of $6.6 million includes purchasing the vacant parcel next to the building for $500,000.
“That would be for parking and potentially moving the entrance to the North Pagosa [Boulevard side],” Ranson said.
Ranson also noted that the parcel is roughly 4 acres and contains wetland areas.
He commented that his goal “is for us to really hone in on these different scenarios” and “move towards a decision.”
Ranson then explained that during his campaign he received support from constituents for stating that he would not vote in favor of $20 million to $25 million in certificates of participation (COPs) relating to the construction of a new administration building.
He clarified that he wasn’t necessarily opposing the idea of a newly built administration building, “but I did say I would not do a COP for that kind of money.”
He added, “Personally, I don’t believe that we can afford it.”
He went on to request the county get the public involved and possibly host forum-style meetings on the topic to get feedback on the Country Center Drive option.
“This deal can go away,” he added, explaining that it was first brought to the county in May and that the property owners “have been extremely patient.”
Ranson also commented more on the facilities study presented to the BoCC last month, noting that the projected costs for a newly built administration building at the Cornerstone Drive property would range anywhere from $12 million to $16 million.
“There’s no way,” he said, suggesting that it would actually be closer to $25 million. “And again, that’s based on people that actually know what they’re doing in the building community.”
Ranson also explained that the BoCC has considered two other options, with one being to “do nothing,” noting, “the county’s been good at that for years.”
The other option he explained was the possibility of adding on to the Wyndham building where some of the county’s current administration offices are located.
He noted that he believes all three commissioners are in agreement that adding on to the Wyndham building is not a viable option, “because there are some issues with that building already.”
Ranson mentioned that he’s “not pushing” for the Country Center Drive option, but asking to have a conversation about the matter to provide the property owner with a more clear answer on what the county wants to do.
“I just think this has so many benefits for us,” he said in regard to the Country Center Drive property, noting the county would receive income through the property as well by taking over the electric vehicle charging stations that are on the property.
Ranson also commented that “local builders” could do much of the remodel work, rather than a company from a distant metropolitan area.
Commissioner Veronica Medina commended Ranson’s due diligence on the matter, but brought up multiple concerns, mainly expressing how she feels the proposed building “is not the right spot for a county facility.”
Medina mentioned concerns about parking and traffic congestion in the area, also noting that things like moving expenditures and the total cost of combined utility bills across the county’s various current locations should all be considered in the total costs of Ranson’s proposal.
“That area is already so congested with traffic with just the businesses that are there,” she said, mentioning that businesses near the county’s current facility in the old Wyndham building have experienced hardships with the county moving its services to that location and generating lots of traffic in the area.
Medina also acknowledged that the extra traffic could also be a benefit to the nearby business with more people potentially visiting other stores while in the area.
Other concerns about removing office spaces for other businesses in the community to potentially use were brought up by Medina, as well.
She added that her main concerns about the proposed building include the location and the potential unknowns, suggesting it may have issues similar to the old Wyndham building in terms of maintenance.
Ranson responded to Medina’s concerns, stating that he does not believe that parking would be an issue, specifically noting the vacant lot that would be purchased in order to expand parking areas.
He also commented that he believes it is an “A-plus” location, explaining that none of the residents he’s spoken with want the county to build a brand-new administration building at a higher price tag.
“The positives far out weigh the negatives,” Ranson said.
Commissioner Warren Brown also commended Ranson’s work on the matter, noting that “this is a way to think outside of the box.”
Brown also commented that he’s not a “hard no” on the proposed building, but that he feels it might be “too premature,” suggesting the county does not have the “final numbers” for the proposal.
Brown referenced the facilities study received last month, which indicated a new administration building could be built on the Cornerstone Drive property for approximately $12. 5 million to $16.8 million.
“Which was kind of a game changer for me,” he said, explaining that did not think the community could or should take on the project given the initial projection of $25 million for that project.
“But, I also do not believe that the final number is exactly accurate on the proposed building,” Brown said in regard to the Country Center Drive property.
He also mentioned that some things are still causing him to “lean” toward a new build, noting maintenance costs the county has endured on its buildings in recent years.
“What’s really important is the long-range vision,” he said, referencing the county’ square footage needs.
Brown also commented that construction prices are only going to go up as time goes on and that the county has already purchased the Cornerstone Drive property for the purpose of being able to expand and accommodate future needs with its administration building.
“Because, when that day comes, we undoubtedly as a community would be paying far more than what we’re paying today,” he said.
Brown questioned if a traffic study would be performed for the Country Center Drive property, “because there will be a significant traffic impact there.”
Brown cautioned about the county entering into a business owner association, suggesting the group has historically been unorganized, while also noting the Town of Pagosa Springs has a master plan and that the county may want to consider how this proposal would fit into that.
Brown also commented that the county has gained and lost momentum over the past year or so in relation to its administration building project.
“To the extent possible, we have included and listened to the public input,” Brown said, explaining he had spoken to people in favor of a new administration building.
He clarified that those conversations took place before Ranson’s proposal.
Brown also mentioned that he didn’t think there was a “time cap” on the new proposal, indicating that he believes a new build would put the county in a “stronger proposition” for future expansion.
Brown noted that he’s “not married” to the idea of a new-build project, but requested more information to consider the proposed remodel option at the Country Center Drive property.
Before concluding the discussion on the matter, Ranson responded to concerns about room for future expansion, stating that “this [remodel] option does have that.”
Ranson also indicated that commissioner-elect Randy Betts is in support of the Country Center Drive option.
Ranson explained that Betts expressed to him that there is the possibility of “going up” and creating a second story for additional space in the future.
Ranson also encouraged the commissioners to talk to local architects, because “there’s no way it’s gonna be $12 million” for a new administration building.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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