The pueblo revival-style center moves forward on its second bid attempt, and is now scheduled for completion by Summer 2008.

Santa Fe Civic Center Features Exhibit Space, Underground Parking

Cameron Swinerton LLC has been awarded the Santa Fe Civic Center after the project was re-bid recently. The 72,500-sq.-ft. project will have more than 40,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, including a 20,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and feature state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities on par with the nation's other great convention and conferencing facilities.

Located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, the Civic Center will be within walking distance of fine restaurants, museums and shopping, as well as 1,500 hotel rooms.

The Civic Center will include a two-level, below-grade, 512-vehicle parking garage that is three times the size of the current facility. The Civic Center will also house a permanent exhibit displaying many of Santa Fe's significant historic and cultural artifacts. This is entirely in keeping for a venue whose location itself is seeped in history: artifacts found on the land on which the new Civic Center will sit are thought to date back to the 13th century, and conjecture exists that ancient pueblos may lie underneath.

In keeping with traditional Santa Fe architecture, the Civic Center has been designed in the pueblo revival style, which includes balconies, portals, an exterior kiva fireplace, wood lintels, bancos and a plaster exterior finish.

The architects for the project are Fentress Bradburn Architects Denver; and Beverly Spears Architects, Santa Fe.Plans call for achieving at least LEED Silver certification on the project, which is scheduled to open summer 2008.

Villagra Building Gets the Gold

The recently completed Paul Bardacke Attorney General Complex, which serves as the office of the New Mexico State Attorney General, has achieved LEED Gold certification from the USGBC. The complex consists of the newly renovated historic Villagra building, originally constructed in 1934, and an attached four-story office addition. This certification for Commercial Interiors recognizes the sustainable design and construction of the facility.

Construction was completed by Cameron Construction in March 2006. Some of the environmental benefits of the Villagra Building include energy savings of 31 percent and water savings of 71 percent. 100 percent wind power was purchased to offset carbon emissions from electricity use. Construction waste was recycled by 82 percent or diverted from the landfill.

To submit New Mexico news announcements, please send information and color photographs to: Scott Blair, editor, at scott_blair@mcgraw-hill.com.

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