Western Bank looking for new home

Portales city councilors approved a resolution which would allow Western Bank officials to demolish apartment buildings in Portales to build a new commercial banking building.

The Western Bank officials are purchasing the apartments with the help of the Portales MainStreet Association members and the city of Portales. According to the resolution, the Portales MainStreet Association will receive $85,000 from the city economic development fund and use the money to purchase the apartments located at 220 W. Chicago and then exchange the property to Western Bank for the deed to the Portales Inn.

“Three months ago we met to discuss about finding ways of creating situations such as this,” Portales Mayor Orlando Ortega said. “This is definitely a good investment.”

A contract has been signed between Western Bank officials and MainStreet organization members, according to the resolution. Stephen Doerr, city attorney, said one of the property owners is Don Heflin. Doerr said the property will exchange hands to the Western Bank on June 1. He also said that if the apartment renters haven’t already been given a notice to relocate, they will be given a notice to do so.

In the resolution, the apartments were labeled as being dilapidated.

The Western Bank office in Portales is currently located on 203 S. Main Street (in the downtown area).

• Eastern New Mexico University Greyhound football coach Mark Ribaudo requested ideas from members of the public on how to increase attendance for ENMU sporting events. Ribaudo said ENMU Board of Regents members recently voiced concerns in regards to attendance.

Ribaudo requested any marketing ideas or marketing events which were successful at other universities that could be used for ENMU.

People who want to help, can e-mail their ideas to Ribaudo at [email protected].

• City councilors approved a resolution authorizing a use agreement with the Roosevelt County Little League for the Portales Rotary, Morrison and Lindsey parks. The RCLL baseball players use the parks for games from April 1 to Sept. 1.

The RCLL is responsible for all utilities, including water, according to the resolution. They are also responsible for general maintenance and improvements of the parks. Lee said it is an annual agreement between the city of Portales and the league.

• Ortega and city officials took time to recognize Walter “Cotton” Clark and Ortega presented Clark with a plaque during the meeting. Clark has served the city of Portales in various departments and was recently a member of the finance review committee.

Ortega said Clark has served the city of Portales since 1967.

• Lee announced there will be a student government day scheduled for Tuesday for students from the Portales High School and junior high. The student government day will start at 8 a.m. and the students will conduct a mock city council meeting at 2 p.m. in the Portales city hall chambers.