By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Sandoval County residents headed to court could soon find the district and magistrate courts in the same building. On Wednesday, county commissioners will decide whether to award a $45 million contract to expand the judicial complex in Bernalillo.
HB Construction submitted the lowest of three bids, $45.08 million before tax. The other two came from Weil Construction at $48.1 million and Jaynes Corporation at $50.5 million, according to the bid tabulation in the meeting packet. The architect, Huitt-Zollars, had estimated the job at $50.4 million.
The project adds a 61,000-square-foot, two-story addition and renovates the existing 52,500-square-foot 13th Judicial District complex. The public entrance moves to the east side of the building. The courthouse stays open during construction.
The county’s population growth drove the expansion, according to a county staff summary. Since the complex opened, the district court has added several judges and staff. Combining the two courts should make access easier and improve security, the summary said.
Funding comes from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the state Legislature and local funds, according to the packet. The bid also includes six optional add-ons, such as a $550,000 jury assembly area, that the county can cut to stay on budget and add back later.
Commissioners will also vote on a $4.5 million state transportation grant for a landfill access road near 29th Avenue NW and Encino Road, a $462,177 control-system upgrade at the detention center and a first step toward routing $75,000 in state economic development money to Kaktus Brewing for a farm-to-taproom expansion in Bernalillo. The brewery expects the project to create six full-time jobs.
GET INVOLVED
Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners
- When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28
- Where: Commission Chambers, 1500 Idalia Road, Building D, Bernalillo
- Watch online: sandovalcountynm.gov
- Public comment (in person or online): sandovalcountynm.gov/commission/public-comment/
- County Manager’s office: 505-867-7500
- Next meeting: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18
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