Albuquerque Studios Continues to Expand, Takes on Rail Yard

New stage at Albuquerque Studios’ expansion project located in Mesa del Sol

In an effort to meet the demand for stages and production support space, Albuquerque Studios is expanding the campus. According to COO Nick Smerigan, construction has begun on two new stages and a 50,000-sq-ft flex building. Each stage will be 18,000-sq- ft, 35 ft high to the grid, 2,400 amps of three phase power and a capability of 150 tons of chilled air. The pair of stages will be separated by a stationary sound wall and will feature 18 by 18-ft elephant doors for >> equipment access. The flex building will consist of 30,000 sq ft of additional mill space and 20,000 sq ft of new office space. This next phase of construction is set to be completed by June.

Albuquerque Studios has also entered into an exclusive agreement with Union Development Corp. to manage The Rail Yard, a mixed-use development located in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood. The studio will manage all production and entertainment related activities. This comes on the heels of UDC’s exclusive overall arrangement with the City of Albuquerque to manage the storied property.

Leba Freed, president of The Wheels Museum Inc., an anchor tenant on the site, says “We look forward to working with UDC and Albuquerque Studios on the initial management of the rail site. This is a very positive step in revitalizing this important and historic property.” City Councilor Isaac Benton adds, “While the city works to develop a long-range redevelopment plan for the Rail Yard, it is important to ensure that the site is being properly maintained and put to good use. Albuquerque Studios and Build New Mexico are well equipped to assist the city in this effort by providing interim management and bringing in a source of revenue that will help improve and highlight this important, historic site.”

“For Albuquerque, it’s like winning the World Series and Super Bowl all at one time,” says Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez. “It’s difficult to put into words how many doors the Q Studios will be opening for New Mexicans.”

New Mexico Receives National AGC Recognition

AGC of America has chosen the New Mexico Building Branch as its “2007 AGC Small Chapter of the Year”. The award was presented at the Aon Build America Awards Banquet on March 13 as part of the 2008 National AGC Convention in Las Vegas, Nev.

Criteria for the award are based on member services, public policy/government relations activities, education and safety programs, industry alliances, community involvement, among other chapter programs and activities. There are over 90 AGC chapters throughout the United States.

2007 Chapter president Brook Henderson and Vicki Mora were recognized concurrently with the chapter recognition.

Vicki was also nominated for the position of vice-chair of the National AGC Executive Leadership Council, which is made up of Chapter and National AGC executives. By precedent, this position leads to chair-elect in 2009 and chair in 2010.

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