Council awards $13.7 million contract to build Fire Station 8; groundbreaking set for May 4

The Rio Rancho City Council authorized the award of a construction contract for Fire Station 8, approving D10 after Fire Chief Wenzel reviewed site selection, design and funding.

Chief Wenzel said the city identified a 1.44-acre site at Veranda Road and Cabezon Boulevard, secured design funding in the 2024 legislative session, and closed the IFB in late March. The recommended award is a $13,666,323.97 contract (including gross receipts tax). Chief Wenzel described station features—four apparatus bays, 12 bunk rooms, a community room configured for both department and community use, and 15,461 square feet of building on approximately 1.44 acres—and said the station will initially open with an engine company and an ambulance with capacity to add units in the future.

On funding, Chief Wenzel cited multiple sources: a revenue bond of $8,438,408.52, legislative capital outlay and state contributions for design and construction, and a remaining state grant balance of $277,915.45 noted in the presentation. The transcript lists additional legislative contributions attributed to several legislators; the presentation described those sponsorships but did not consolidate every dollar amount in a single spreadsheet in the record. The chief also said design work had been awarded previously (Vigil and Associates for $721,199.69) and that leftover design funds were rolled into construction.

Councilors praised staff for moving the project forward and thanked legislators who supported capital outlay. The council unanimously approved the contract award; Chief Wenzel said the city plans a groundbreaking ceremony on May 4 at 11:30 a.m. at 1930 14th Avenue SE.

What’s next: With the contract authorized the project will move into construction; staff noted future work on Unser Boulevard widening tied to related capital funding and earlier council approvals.