historic building on the campus of the new mexico school for the blind and visually impaired in line for upgrade

Depending upon the results of the Bond Question C in the November elections, work could begin next year on the upgrading of an historic structure belonging to the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

That structure is the Paul and Lois Tapia Building, which is located at the corner of N. White Sands Boulevard and Indian Wells Road on the northeast side of the school’s Alamogordo campus.

Built in 1918, the Tapia building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is named in honor of two popular and long-serving instructors at the school. With its red clay pitched roof and red brick walls, it preceded what has come to be an iconic look for most of the school’s other structures on the 35-acre campus.

Proposing $156.3 million to fund facility upgrades for all of the state’s institutions of higher learning, Bond C will provide just under $989,000 to renovate the 3,000 square foot Tapia structure.

School officials have long wanted to generally upgrade the rectangular-shaped building, which was originally a teacher’s cottage, but currently houses offices.
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Established in 1903, the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired has an enrollment of around 60 students. Through partnerships with other educational institutions across the state, its enrollment exceeds 3,500.

​By Garry Boulard

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