bernalillo county to issue request for qualifications for office upgrade project

One year after members of the Bernalillo County Commission voted to approve the purchase of one of the largest office buildings in downtown Albuquerque, a Request for Qualifications will soon be issued regarding the proposed renovation of that structure.

Built in 1980, Alvarado Square, located at 415 Silver Avenue SW, was the long-time home of the Public Service Company of New Mexico.
But the 8-floor structure was largely abandoned after PNM moved to another location in 2014, going on the market in 2016.

Bernalillo County officials, looking for a place to consolidate their various county office locations, decided that the 282,000 square-foot structure would best serve that purpose.

As planned, Alvarado Square will soon house the offices of the county clerk, treasurer, and assessor, as well as the Bernalillo County Probate Court.

Although it was initially thought that it would cost around $36 million to purchase and renovate the building, that figure has now increased to some $48 million for work that will include energy efficiency, mechanical, and plumbing system upgrades.

The facility work will also include a reconfiguring of some office space in the building, as well the construction of a new 250-seat chamber for commission members.

Funding for that work is expected to come from the issuance of some $37 million in gross receipt tax revenue bonds, as well as money that has already been saved by the county.

A $3.5 million general obligation bond may be voted on in the coming November election to provide additional support.

The Request for Qualifications for the project will be followed in August by a Request for Proposals.

By Garry Boulard