In what Chamber of Commerce CEO Scott Soldat-Valenzuela described as a “sneak peek,” architect’s plans for a new office building were unveiled at the June 11 quarterly breakfast meeting.

“You’ve heard for months that the chamber is going to remodel and offer new services,” he said. “We’re close to having a final plan done.”

He did not give any timeline or cost for the project. After the presentation, Soldat-Valenzuela said the cost has not yet been determined.

The chamber previously announced that Dennis Brown of Echelon Builders will be the contractor. Greg Zimmerman is the architect.

The existing chamber office building is located at the corner of Palisades Blvd. and Verde River Drive. An adjacent vacant lot in the rear of the existing 20-year-old office building was purchased for $70,000 to expand.

New construction of approximately 4,500 square feet will create a “convention space” for membership meetings, seven offices in different configurations for leased co-working opportunities; an open-air kitchen for social functions and four covered patios.

Exterior renovations will be kept to a minimum, he said.

“The Southwest décor was popular at one timem,” Soldat-Valenzuela said. “It no longer is. We want to have a different feel.”

The refaced exterior will be contemporary with awnings, windows and patio facing Palisades and a water feature at the entrance.

Soldat-Valenzuela said some staff members have indicated they will “go virtual” with a laptop and cell phone rather than occupying an office.

A new CEO/president is expected to be on board before Soldat-Valenzuela leaves the position at the end of August for a similar job with the Windsor, Colorado Chamber of Commerce.