BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Columbus Capital has finalized the $8 million acquisition of the former Smith’s building and the $5.5 million acquisition of 800 and 820 Trinity Drive along with 911-991 Central Avenue in Los Alamos to facilitate their Mari Mac redevelopment vision, company officials announced Thursday.

Los Alamos National Laboratory has taken occupancy of the former Smith’s building and will be taking over the former Beall’s in the next 2-3 weeks. Columbus Capital is simultaneously upgrading the internal space and working on the design of the external building façade. Crews are working on fixing up the parking lot and cleaning up the building formerly occupied by China Palace. The façade work will continue into early 2024. Initial upgrades to the former Smith’s building are expected to be completed this month.

Columbus Capital is looking to partner with Los Alamos County on potential public financing tools.

Extensive work as been done at the LANL Daycare Center site at 3500 Trinity Drive. Internal construction has started but a completion date has not yet been determined.

Columbus Capital co-owner Jeff Branch said Wednesday that the company remains steadfast in its commitment to the development of Mari Mac and the community,

“Acquiring the old Smith’s building, with LANL moving in, demonstrates to our dedication to progress and to the community,” Branch said.

Los Alamos Planning & Zoning Commission members approved Columbus Capital’s application in October 22 for a special use permit to operate a storage facility in the 58,000 sq. ft. former Smith’s supermarket.