Supporting a university system as large and varied as New Mexico State University is a major task, akin to maintaining a small city. NMSU’s Office of Facilities Operations and Utilities, the department responsible for construction, has recently completed or is currently managing more than 80 building projects, in some phase of design or construction, on university sites around the state.

Chamisa Village Phase II

Chamisa Village Phase II continues the main campus’ growth in student housing. The second phase of the residence center entails construction of four three-story apartment buildings, housing 282 beds in 114 units - 87 two-bedroom units and 27 four-bedroom units. It is scheduled for completion in February 2012.

DACC East Mesa

Dona Ana Community College East Mesa Phases VI and VII will facilitate public services programs, culinary arts education and general studies. The hospitality and public services programs, as well as general studies, will house classrooms and science, computer, EMS and culinary labs, as well as administration and faculty offices. Building construction is anticipated to last until summer 2012.

Center for the Arts Phase I

The multi-phased Center for the Arts project is designed to consolidate NMSU’s arts programs into one centralized location. Phase I entails construction of a three-story academic facility, about 59,000 square feet in size, at the southeast corner of the University Avenue and Espina Street intersection.

The building will house a performance space with 450 seats, a 74-foot-high fly tower and full theater and dance support areas. The structure also will contain public space, shared classrooms and a home for the theater department.

Phase I is scheduled for completion in November 2012.

Barnes & Noble at NMSU Bookstore

Completed in July, the Barnes & Noble at NMSU bookstore on the corner of University Avenue and Jordan Street is a 44,998 square-foot building housing retail and office space, as well as the bookstore warehouse. NMSU Parking has relocated to the building, as has Auxiliary Services.

Other building projects include:

• Allied Health Building, NMSU Carlsbad: The 17,500-square-foot facility, completed in June, houses classrooms, laboratories and offices supporting the nursing program.
• DACC Chaparral Center: The 5,665-square-foot center, completed in August, is the first phase of construction for a permanent facility in Chaparral.
• DACC Hatch Center: The 6,791-square-foot facility will house classroom space, a computer lab and learning center, a laboratory and shop and office space for faculty. The project is scheduled for completion in March 2012.
• Southwest Center for Rangeland Sustainability, Corona: The first phase of the center was completed in May. It consists of indoor and outdoor multiuse meeting/exhibit areas; library/meeting room for outreach activities and student use; offices and a kitchen facility, all spread throughout 6,250 square feet, 2,800 of which is a covered porch area.
• Soccer Athletic Complex: This new athletic facility, completed in August, is home to the Aggie women’s soccer team, now in its third season. The field is located between the Coca-Cola Weight Center and the Softball Complex.
• Horse barn: A new breeding barn, completed in July, offers students a more enhanced, hands-on learning experience and also provides the university with a chance to explore more breeding opportunities.
• Institute for Public Policy: NMSU soon will begin renovations and additions to Hershel Zohn Theatre and Branson Library to house the Pete V. Domenici Institute for Public Policy. The facility will provide a lecture hall capable of hosting public policy specialists.

Hopefully, the work will not stop with these projects. In May, the Board of Regents approved a $30 million legislative capital outlay request for renovations and additions to both Hardman and Jacobs halls for the Undergraduate Teaching Center. The General Obligation Bond capital outlay request will be a top funding priority request for the Las Cruces campus during the 2012 legislative session.

The University Master Plan identifies the need to construct state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory facilities in Hardman and Jacobs halls, as well as general renovation and maintenance. The work will provide much-needed large- and medium-sized classroom facilities designed to integrate technology with pedagogy. In the interest of sustainability and economy, the university will focus on reusing, recycling and renovating as much of the existing buildings as possible in order to meet the needs of the center.