HOUSE MEMORIAL 72

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Nick L. Salazar

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A PROPERTY STATUS, PROGRAM AND USE AUDIT OF THE LOS LUCEROS PROPERTY IN RIO ARRIBA COUNTY.

     WHEREAS, Los Luceros is a one-hundred-thirty-acre property of great historic and natural value, located in the Espanola Valley near Alcalde, which was purchased by the state to enable greater access to the property by the public; and

     WHEREAS, the state gained ownership of Los Luceros in 2008 with the aim of providing public access to the historic property, developing a retreat center for workshops, conducting seminars connected to New Mexico's film industry and providing a site for crop testing and environmental studies programming; and

     WHEREAS, the estate was first owned by Luis Maria Ortiz, a seventh-generation descendant of colonists who arrived with Don Diego de Vargas, for whom the main house, or casa grande, was constructed; and

     WHEREAS, Mary Cabot Wheelwright, the founder of the museum that now bears her name, purchased the property in 1923 and lived there until her death in 1958; and

     WHEREAS, Mary Wheelwright's heirs invested in a major renovation of the property, which was completed in 2001; and

     WHEREAS, the structures on the grounds include the casa grande, which at one time acted as the county seat; an old jail; the Capilla de la Sagrada Familia chapel; a new visitors center and other facilities with historic significance; and

     WHEREAS, the grounds also include orchards, a bosque and irrigated pastures, all of which provide habitat for at least one hundred sixty-two species of birds, both migratory and permanent residents, as well as many species of mammals and reptiles; and

     WHEREAS, Los Luceros has been listed on the national register of historic places since 1983; and

     WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2010, money was appropriated to the cultural affairs department by the legislature to complete a master plan for the use of Los Luceros; and

     WHEREAS, the property is currently closed and unattended, possibly putting in jeopardy the condition of the structures and plantings on the property, as well as its listing on the national register of historic places; and

     WHEREAS, with the property closed, public access to the property is not possible;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the cultural affairs department be requested to conduct a property status, program and use audit of the Los Luceros estate to determine if the property is being maintained and used so as to maximize the property's value to the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of cultural affairs be requested to review the master plan for Los Luceros and take any steps necessary to implement the plan or develop a new plan for the occupation and use of Los Luceros and include that in her report to the appropriate interim legislative committees; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the cultural affairs department be requested to report to the interim revenue stabilization and tax policy committee and to the legislative finance committee on its audit findings no later than November 1, 2012; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of cultural affairs.

- 3 -