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Santa Fe County authorizes manager to seek purchase of office building for district attorney
Summary
Board approved giving the county manager authority to negotiate the purchase of a two-story office building on St. Michael's Drive near the cancer center for use by the district attorney; $6.7 million was earmarked previously for purchase and renovations.
The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners on June 24 authorized the county manager to negotiate the purchase and acquisition of office space on behalf of the district attorney’s office.
Real property staff told commissioners the county searched for more than a year for suitable space and pursued an off‑market opportunity identified through outreach to commercial agents. The building is a two‑story, roughly 26,000‑square‑foot property on St. Michael’s Drive that staff said offers ample parking and the option for separate staff and public entrances.
“The building has some deferred maintenance. So it needs some stucco repair, new windows, asphalting of the parking lot, some security fencing of one of the parking lots, new HVAC system, and some interior renovations,” county real property staff said, estimating roughly $1.5 million in renovation work. County staff said $6.7 million is currently allocated toward purchase and renovation for a DA relocation project; the building’s purchase price is about $3.2 million per a county presentation.
Commissioners discussed security features, including secure staff entry and fencing for staff parking; county staff said the building’s layout made it reasonably straightforward to secure. Commissioner concerns focused on access points and cost breakdowns for renovation. County staff said the estimated $6.7 million was originally set for a previously considered, higher‑priced building and that the current building likely will need less of the earmarked funds.
Commissioner Justin Green moved to authorize the manager to pursue purchase negotiations; Commissioner Hank Hughes seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. County staff said final purchase would return to the board for approval and that the county plans to repurpose the DA’s current building on Sandoval for future judicial complex needs.
