Sep. 9--LAS CRUCES -- There was consensus Monday from the Las Cruces City Council that if a proposed police and fire training facility were to become a reality it would probably have to be approached -- and likely funded -- as a regional endeavor.

Fire Chief Adolph Zubia, with representatives of ASA Architects and Architectural Research Consultants, told the council at its monthly work session at City Hall that it would cost about $32.1 million to build a training facility. But because of the price tag, the council agreed it probably would be best to consider law enforcement and public safety agencies in Dona Ana, Sierra, Luna, Otero, Grant and Hidalgo counties, and White Sands Test Facility, Holloman Air Force Base, and New Mexico State University as entities that could help pay to build and operate the facility.

"The regional approach not only makes sense but is really a requirement," Councilor Nathan Small said.

Greg Smith, of ASA Architects, said three sites have been identified as potential locations for the facility. He said that 65 acres would be the ideal size for a single facility, but added that two smaller parcels could be considered: one where classrooms could be located and another for training

exercises.

Smith said the study determined that a 70-acre area near Las Cruces International Airport, just south of Interstate 10, would be the most viable location. However, an 88-acre site just north of Burn Lake, off of west Amador Avenue, and a 34-acre parcel just east of Valley Drive and north of Amador Avenue, where a cotton gin used to be, could also be considered.

Mayor Ken Miyagishima asked about land that Las Cruces developer Philip Philippou offered the city as another possible site, as part of the Vistas at Presidio annexation the council approved in 2007. Zubia said that could still be considered.

Using any type of bonding to pay for the project would require approval from city voters. Las Cruces resident Dan Jett said that could be a hard sell for city officials.

"When this first came up it was a $3 million project, and I could support it," Jett said. "But what these consultants are saying now is just outrageous."

But no one disagrees that a training facility is needed.

"The need for both (police and fire) organizations is there," Zubia said. "The priority for this has been there for at least five years."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at sramirez@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5452.

Police and fire training

-- A preliminary study has identified three potential city sites for a possible police and fire training facility.

-- City-owned land just south of Las Cruces International Airport; land just north of Burn Lake; and a parcel just east of Valley Drive and north of Amador Avenue are the three locations.

-- The proposed facility's estimated cost -- based on current construction costs -- would be $32.1 million.

-- The project has been a priority on the city's Infrastructure Capital Improvement Project list in recent years.

-- General obligation bonds, gross receipt tax revenue bonds, project revenue bonds, and legislative funding are among some of the funding options that could be considered.

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