Santa Fe Indian School has hinted for the first time that it might consider preserving Paolo Soleri Amphitheater — in a response to a letter from U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, D-N.M.

School Superintendent Everett Chavez said in a statement Monday that despite pleas from those opposed to razing the outdoor theater, the school has never received money to maintain it.

"We've always been open to anyone offering 'real' solutions to our plight," Chavez said. "Many people claim they want to keep this place, but so far no one has come forward with any money."

The release says two architects and a local contractor have estimated it would take $4.5 million to make the theater compliant with federal disability regulations and to install fire-suppression, new bathrooms, drainage and a roof for the backstage areas, and a cover for the seating area.

Last month, school officials announced that Lyle Lovett's concert on July 29 would be the last event at the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater, built between 1955 and the early 1960s by the Italian architect Paolo Soleri, now living in Arizona.

A plan to raze the amphitheater was first mentioned by a performer there in September 2008 — shortly after the school demolished 15 buildings, some dating from the late 1800s, following the completion of $23.2 million worth of new classrooms, dormitories and other buildings.

The following March, the school cut down dozens of trees, some more than 50 years old, on the part of the campus fronting Cerrillos Road. Most of the lawn on the 115-acre campus already had been allowed to die without irrigation.

Santa Fe preservationists railed against the destruction of the historic buildings and mature trees. But school officials maintained the 120-year-old school has been a sovereign entity since 2000, when Congress turned over the campus to New Mexico's 19 Indian pueblos, and, as such, is not subject to state, county or municipal laws.

The school has looked into building a hotel and commercial development on the part of its campus left vacant by the demolition. The only limitation Congress has put on development there is to ban gambling casinos.

Officials of the school and the All Indian Pueblo Council, which operates the campus on behalf of the governors of the 19 pueblos, initially declined to answer questions about future plans from the public and media. It began responding only last month after hiring a public-relations firm run by Edward Calabazas of Isleta Pueblo and Kewa Pueblo, formerly known as Santo Domingo.

In his first news release, Calabazas wrote that school and council leaders decided to raze the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater because they were spending $100,000 a year to maintain it and it would take $575,000 to bring it up to minimum standards.

School leaders said they only use the amphitheater for two events each year — for an eighth-grade promotion ceremony and high school graduation — and that rock concerts attract marijuana smoking and alcohol drinking that do not meet the school's educational mission.

Last week, Bingaman and Udall wrote to the council to say they are ready to assist the school if they "decide to pursue a course to preserve this important architectural landmark."

Monday's news release applauded the senators' overture, calling them "wonderful advocates of our Native people in the past. We look forward to discussing the matter at their earliest convenience."

Contact Tom Sharpe at 986-3080 or tsharpe@sfnewmexican.com.