Construction work to transform a highly visible address bounding UNM’s main campus, the northwest corner of Central Ave. and Girard Blvd., will begin construction on Monday, July 25.
“The Central/Girard intersection is a visual gateway to campus, providing welcome for visitors traveling westbound on Route 66 and Central Avenue,” said Amy Coburn, UNM university architect and director of Planning, Design & Construction. “The northwest corner of the intersection serves as a entry for students, faculty, staff, and community members who access public transportation or walk between campus and the adjacent neighborhoods and retail establishments.”
The existing site has poor visibility, and deteriorating infrastructure, and, until the recent demolition of the wall structures last year, was beset by criminal activity.
“The site improvements will remove visual barriers, replace deteriorating infrastructure, and install an interlocking ‘UNM’ identity marker, which will welcome visitors to campus,” said Coburn.
The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM), a passionate stakeholder in the development of these site improvements, were awarded $400,000 funding for this project from the NM State Legislature via House Bill 349, which passed in 2020. UNM Facilities Management contributed $29,190 towards this project, bringing the overall project investment to $429,140.
The Central & Girard site improvement project is designed for approximately 11,246 gross square feet of construction and landscaping improvements. Construction, which starts in late July, is expected to extend over four months with an estimated completion date in mid-November.