New Mexico Greenhouse to Expand
Preferred Produce has received $200,000 in debt financing and equity financing for the expansion of its Deming, New Mexico greenhouse.
The company specializes in organic produce that is distributed and sold throughout New Mexico.
Jon Barela, New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development, said the money for the greenhouse expansion is coming from two entities: New Mexico Community Capital and the New Mexico Angels.
New Mexico Community Capital is a private, non-profit Community Development Financial Institution providing capital for New Mexico businesses. New Mexico Angels is an angel investment group.
The $200,000 will allow Preferred Produce to double the size of its greenhouse facility at 23485 Columbus Road.
In announcing the funding, Barela said it was an investment not only in Preferred Produce, but also “in southwestern New Mexico where agriculture is an important industry for the region.”
By Gary Boulard
El Paso to Renovate County Sportspark
A design for the renovation of the 30 year-old El Paso County Sportspark has been presented to members of the El Paso County Commission.
Produced by the firm of El Paso, the design calls for a new front entrance to the facility, as well as a new clubhouse, concession stand, bathroom and expanded office space.
Located at 1780 North Zaragoza Street, the Sportspark was opened in the early 1980s, but was purchased by the county in 2002. Located on 45 acres, the facility has long been a financial drain to the county, in recent years earning just over $500,000 in revenue, some $200,000 below what it costs to operate it.
But county officials hope an upgrade of the facility will make it both more attractive and self-sustaining. The renovated project is expected to cost just over $6.9 million, which will be paid for out of a county bond of $9.2 million.
If approved, construction on the Sportspark could begin as soon as this coming fall. The estimated completion date for the renovation is early 2014.
By Gary Boulard
Second Phase of Apartment Complex in Arizona Nearing Construction
The next phase of work on the Las Posada apartment complex in Yuma, Arizona may begin later this year.
The first phase of the project at 1900 West 30th Street saw the construction of 80 two and three-bedroom units as well as a clubhouse.
Because the project is geared toward low-income residents, it received more than $900,000 in tax credits from the federal government through the Low Income Tax Credit program. That program is geared for low-income new construction and rehabilitation projects
That two-story project, which went up in 2010, cost $9 million to build.
The second phase will see the construction of 64 units, also featuring two and three bedrooms. The second phase additionally calls for the building of a separate community center.
By Gary Boulard
New Municipal Complex for Vail Under Review
Nearly a year in the making, city officials in Vail, Colorado are sponsoring a series of public hearings to get feedback on a proposed redevelopment of the city’s municipal building complex.
The proposed $15 million project will completely redo a facility that city officials say has outlived its usefulness, and will include new landscaping allowing for more trees in the complex plaza, as well as energy-efficient measures in the main complex building.
Altogether, the new complex facility will allow for more than 21,000 square feet in office space. A second building will go up, also at the complex, on land sold by the Vail Town Council to the Vail Valley Medical Center and Steadman Clinic.
Designed by the Boulder-based Oz Architects, the project has to win the final approval of the council. If given a green light, construction on the upgraded town administrative office is expected to begin in May 2013, with a completion date of early 2015.
By Gary Boulard
Arizona Health Center to be built
The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced an award of $5 million for the construction of a new community health center in Tucson.
The El Rio Community Health Center began operations in 1970 and moved into a 36,000 square-foot building at 839 West Congress in 1978. With expanded service to the surrounding city, the health center eventually outgrew that facility.
The clinic is today the largest of its kind in Arizona, having treated more than 76,000 people in 2010.
Now officials with the El Rio Community Health Center say they will use the federal money, along with other funding, to build a two-story, 50,000 square foot facility to the front of the current clinic.
Construction–which will see expanded office and exam room space–is scheduled to begin in early 2013. The facility is expected to be open for business in 2015.
By Gary Boulard
Arizona to Get Assisted Living Facility
The Freshwater Group, a senior housing finance company based in Tucson, has announced plans to build a high-end assisted living residential complex.
The development will go up at the site of River Road and Hacienda del Sol in Tucson on property that was once a horse stable.
In a salute to the site’s former use, the developers of the assisted living and memory care facility say they would like to create a ranch-like feel to the complex that will also feature equestrian trails for equine therapy.
The facility will include four one-story residential structures containing up to 14 bedrooms, a large common area and kitchen.
The project will also house medical office buildings at one end of the property along with a rehab center containing a 3500 square foot area for therapy as well as a swimming pool.
Developers for the property say they would like to break ground on it in 2013.
By Gary Boulard
Study to Explore Albuquerque Transportation Needs
A transit study may help to determine the future trends of transportation in the Albuquerque metro area, including whether and where alternative transportation might best work.
The Paseo del Norte High Capacity Transit Study, being done jointly by the Rio Metro Regional Transit District and the Mid-Region Council of Governments, is specifically tasked with exploring how public transit can provide an alternative to normal vehicular traffic in the area.
The geographic range for the study includes central and northern Bernalillo county as well as southern Sandoval county. Preliminary data from the study shows that there is currently nearly 82,000 vehicles daily on the Paseo del Norte, a figure that could increase to some 180,000 by the year 2035.
The study is intended to identify not only what type of transit would work best, but likely routes. The study’s findings are expected to be released next year.
By Gary Boulard
