center for the arts building at the university of new mexico slated for fire protection upgrades

One of the most well-used structures on the main Albuquerque campus of the University of New Mexico will soon be seeing fire protection and safety renovation upgrades.

The Center for the Arts, officially located at 203 Cornell Drive NE, houses three popular facilities: Popejoy Hall, Keller Hall, and the school’s Fine Arts Museum.

Popejoy Hall is the home to a multi-purpose theater hosting Broadway shows and dance companies; while Keller Hall serves as the recital home to the school’s Department of Music and features an orchestra pit and recording facilities.

The Center for the Arts was originally built in 1963 and was subsequently expanded in 1966, 1970, and 1973.

Now UNM has issued a Request for Proposals for general contractors to take on construction services for the safety and fire protection upgrade of the 375,000 square-foot building.

The work will include expanding and reconfiguring all of the structure’s existing fire protection systems, with the goal of building a system according to International Building Code, International Fire Code, and National Fire Protection Association standards.

This means that all of the sprinkler system components must be guaranteed against defective design and materials.

The RFP has a deadline of August 28.
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Work on what is expected to be a 10-day project is scheduled to begin next January.

​By Garry Boulard

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