THE BILLY THE KID BUILDING PROJECT Billy in the background of this photo for an El Paso Times feature on my work. (Photo credit Fernie Castillo/El Paso Times)

See video of me working on life-size Billy in clay! Billy the Kid. Pencil sketch. PROJECT HISTORY: It all began as a joke: Pat Beckett, owner of COAS Books in downtown Las Cruces and I were talking in his store. We were bemoaning the plight of our time- and neglect-ravaged city center. Pat said he'd been talking with one of the city "fathers", who was asking him how to "get people downtown." To which Pat replied: "You really want to get people downtown? Build a 100ft-tall Billy the Kid and put a restaurant in his sombrero!" Of course we laughed...but the idea planted a seed in my fertile brain.



Being an artist (and one who frequently makes architectural renderings) I decided to sketch the idea out just as a joke. I ended up making a (roughly) scale drawing of the building (a copy of which still hangs in the entry to COAS). Then I made a full-color version, which ended up in the Sun News (our local paper) in one of S. Derrickson Moore's columns (which are often humorous in nature).



Well, this generated a few exasperated calls to the paper, as people thought the city was seriously condoning such a monstrosity. I was even cornered by the city's landscape architect at city hall -- apparently she had taken some heat from the public. It was all grand fun.

A very rough early rendering



When I came back home to Las Cruces after my sojourn in Denver, I felt it was time to really and seriously take the steps to make this project happen. I met with city planners and the owner of the lot where the building will be, and re-drew my design to actual scale and code. I also began to work on models for the sculpture itself (having finally found a great Billy the Kid model to pose for me).



At this stage However...the more I thought about it, the more brilliant I decided the concept was. Our downtown is seriously sick...okay, almost dead in terms of what a downtown used to be. So I kept the idea alive (as did Derrickson in her columns).When I came back home to Las Cruces after my sojourn in Denver, I felt it was time to really and seriously take the steps to make this project happen. I met with city planners and the owner of the lot where the building will be, and re-drew my design to actual scale and code. I also began to work on models for the sculpture itself (having finally found a great Billy the Kid model to pose for me).At this stage (click here for most recent update) I'm compiling estimates from the various engineering and fabrication firms that will create the giant statue from my original sculpture. I've shaken hands with a developer on the project, and continue to refine both the design and the concept that will make the building a commercial and civic success and beneficial addition to my home town.

THE BUILDING: The building itself is a three-story structure, with the third story set back from the Main St. facade of the building (downtown building codes dictate street-facing facades of no more than 2 stories). The facade itself is divided to appear as two distinct buildings, with different architectures (both of which reflect historic styles from downtown Las Cruces). The ground floor contains two retail spaces, with an open area called "The Mercado" which can accommodate smaller vendors and food carts. The second floor contains a mix of two larger, and several smaller shop spaces which are meant for a small florist, shoe repair shop and the like. This floor also contains the Billy the Kid Museum and Gift Shop. The 3rd floor is set up for two restaurants which will open out onto the roof of the second story, giving diners a view to the Organ Mountains. The roof of the building gives people access to the back of the Billy the Kid statue and a view of downtown Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley.



All floors and roof are accessed through a central glass-topped atrium which houses an iron-work elevator and stairs, giving clear visual access to all storefronts.



THE MUSEUM: The museum will contain genuine and reproduction Billy the Kid memorabilia, as well as the story of his life and times. This will be an opportunity to present the various views on this character, including the mythic and harsh historical perspectives. The museum will include a reproduction of a jail cell with a life-like Billy inside, providing opportunity for photographs. Another vital aspect of the Museum will be a clearinghouse of information on any and all "historical tourism" sites in the region -- brochures, maps, computer terminals for accessing information. We want to take advantage of the extreme visibility of this particular destination to benefit both the tourist and each and every historical site in the region, be it native, Spanish, western, military, archeological or geological.



THE STATUE: The statue of Billy the Kid will stand 60 feet tall on the Las Cruces Avenue side of the building, and will be made of fiberglass. The sculpture will be sized up from a life-size clay model of my creation. The statue will appear to be free-standing, but is actually built as an integral part of the building itself (in fact, his butt protrudes into the restaurant area, allowing for some humorous oven possibilities). If possible, there will be an observation window in his hat or (barring that possibility) a live video feed from his "eye view". The 60-foot height of the statue will require a 10-foot code variance from the city. However, the statue is located in the ONLY part of downtown Las Cruces that already has three-story structures (the Bank of the West building, on one corner, and the Rio Grande Theater's fly structure two buildings to the south). Therefore, it won't stand out "like a sore thumb".



SUMMATION: In short, the building is designed to attract all the right kind of attention, drawing tourists to downtown Las Cruces, and providing them with a museum and gift shop experience like few others. However, the REST of the building (and its mix of businesses) is created for the every-day use of the residents of Las Cruces -- this is a place we'll all enjoy hanging out for a burger and beer before the play, or some shopping. With a single dramatic structure, a commercial "critical mass" can be achieved that provides both the attraction and the justification for the journey into the heart of downtown Las Cruces.

Billy the Kid building: Las Cruces Ave. facade. Billy the Kid building: Main St. facade. Downtown Las Cruces, showing site of Billy Building. Note Bank of the West building at left.