Board approves UNM Facility Services Building, $13.97M state appropriation cited

The State Board of Finance approved the University of New Mexico's request for capital expenditures to construct an 11,300 gross‑square‑foot Facility Services Building at 1613 University Boulevard Northeast in Albuquerque. Joe Brown, capital projects director at the Higher Education Department, presented the request and said the project supports relocation needed to advance the School of Medicine program.

"This request is to construct a new 11,300 gross square foot facility that will be located at 1613 University Boulevard Northeast in Albuquerque," Brown said. Shauna Wolf, UNM vice president for Institutional Support Services, described the project as an "enabling project"—without relocating facility services the university cannot execute planned School of Medicine work. The presentation noted interior office, warehouse, and yard components, a demolition of an existing building at the site, and a project funding package that relies on a state general‑fund appropriation for $13,966,000.

Board members pressed staff on the broader funding picture for the School of Medicine; staff said multiple sources are under consideration including House Bill 2 appropriations, general obligation bonds and severance‑tax‑note programs. Member Paul Cassidy and Treasurer Laura Montoya expressed support, while asking staff to provide more detail on the funding mix. The board approved item 11 by roll call; staff recorded the approval subject to standard contingencies for capital projects.