new mexico governor signs on to host of public facility projects

Up to $1 million has been approved as part of New Mexico’s fiscal year 2019 budget for the planning, design, and construction of additions and enhancement to the Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque.

Funding for the project was passed bv lawmakers in Santa Fe as part of House Bill 306, and signed into law during her final regular session with those lawmakers by Governor Susana Martinez.

The work at the courthouse at 401 Lomas Boulevard NW will specifically include an upgrading of restricted access areas, the judges’ chambers, and jury rooms on the fourth floor of the building.

Altogether, Martinez approved more than $60 million in capital outlay funding for a variety of facility construction, upgrading, and renovation projects across the state.

Among the other funded bonds: $500,000 for the planning, design, and construction of a flood control structure at the Columbus Port of Entry in the village of Columbus; and $1.5 million for improvements to the Albert Amador Building in Espanola, the Harriet Sammons Building in Farmington, and the James Murray Building in Hobbs.

Funding was also approved by legislators and signed into law by Martinez for the $500,000 construction and renovation of New Mexico Commission for the Blind facilities in Bernalillo and Otero counties. That work will be done in accordance with American with Disabilities Act standards.

Three youth facilities, the Camino Nuevo Youth Center and the Youth Diagnostic and Development Center, both in Albuquerque, as well as the John Paul Taylor Center in Las Cruces, are receiving a combined $1 million for infrastructure improvements and security system upgrades.

An additional $5.1 million has been approved for facility work at the New Mexico Vital Records & Health Statistics offices in Santa Fe.

The $6.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2019 signed into law by Martinez takes effect on July 1 of this year.

By Garry Boulard

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