urban development proposal

Notes (Monday, February 06, 2006)

The concept that is becoming most interesting is the re-statement of the original group of six Taos artists. This group’s history is to be represented in the architecture that is developed as part of the urban development plan being proposed by The Taos Research Group.

The Taos Research Group has assumed responsibility for accurate representation of the architecture and mood of early Taos as a promenade park, where the visitor to Taos will experience many elements of the original Taos art community.

The representation will be seen in Taos Promenade Park staff dress and mannerisms. . Research is being conduced on late 1800’s building design and construction. The Promenade Park consists of over four acres owned by the Couse Trust, and leased to the Taos Research Group. Parking is provided at two locations, just North-east of the Park and South-west of the Park. No cars, including delivery vehicles, are allowed in the park. Electric carts are used to move deliveries from one of two delivery facilities located adjacent to the parking areas.

The Taos Promenade Park is bounded on the south side by a natural creek bed, and on the east by a 8 foot adobe wall separating the Park from a state road connector, to be called Couse Road, to be developed on a strip of land acquired from the Couse Trust by the City of Taos or the State of New Mexico.

The Taos Artists Association , or similar, will own and control a resident area consisting of 21 acres. The land is leased from the Couse Trust. The resident area will be run as a bed and breakfast dedicated to hosting artists from around the world. All utility lines will be underground, so that the view of Taos Mountain will not be obscured. Water features will be present. All existing trees on the present Couse Trust will be preserved.

The Artist’s Compound will be surrounded by a six foot adobe wall with gardens on either side. One main gate and three side gates will be designed so as to provide a sense of beauty and security to guests. One building will be two story, and the rest will be one story. The two story building will serve meals to guests, and will host community events agreed to be committee.

The governance for both the Promenade Park and the Artist Residence Compound will reflect governance principles learned from the Taos Pueblo. Both the Park and the Compound will function to support social goals developed by the participating artists.

Dr Paul Pruitt’s

Proposal for creating an economic development zone

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