The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

 


Contact : Susan McKinsey, UNM, (505) 277-1989
Kristin Haase, State Land Office, (505) 827-3809

For Immediate Release
August 17, 2006

UNM and State Land Commissioner Finalize Agreement on Rio Rancho Land

The University of New Mexico and the State Land Office have reached agreement on a land exchange that will give UNM 216 acres in Rio Rancho for a future full-service campus. An exchange agreement in principle was announced by Commissioner of Public Lands Patrick Lyons and UNM Regents President Jamie Koch at a ceremony today in Rio Rancho.

In exchange for the 216 acres, UNM is transferring to the State Land Office land, worth approximately $6 million, that the university owns in several parcels around the state.

“It is understanding that gives us the ability to have this agreement,” says Koch. “When we understood what Land Commissioner Patrick Lyon's viewpoint was and he understood ours, we were able to sit down and work out our differences.”

Koch recognized the work of Commissioner Lyons on behalf of the land trust's beneficiaries, including UNM. “Commissioner Lyons was the driving force behind Mesa del Sol. Now he has worked with us on Rio Rancho, which never would have come about without his leadership and vision.”

Koch also commended the vision of Rep. Tom Swisstack. “Rep. Swisstack planted the seed for higher education in Rio Rancho during his term as mayor of that city. As a state representative, he told us he was committed to getting acreage for a full-service campus in Rio Rancho.”

Koch joined Lyons in acknowledging the $1.6 million gift to the university made by Walter Grodahl and GSL Properties, the land developer who agreed to donate the accrued improvement value credits on the 216- acre parcel.

UNM Regent Don Chalmers notes that UNM West has had a presence on the West Side and in Rio Rancho since 1990 and locating a campus there makes good sense.

“Currently, 5,000 students from the West Side commute to UNM's main campus – a 30 – 40 minute one-way trip in the best of circumstances,” said Chalmers. “Another 2,000 students already attend classes at UNM West. With Rio Rancho's projected population growth, there is a need for more access to higher education for these students.”

Koch, Chalmers and their fellow regents also acknowledge Rio Rancho Mayor Kevin Jackson and the Rio Rancho City Council for their efforts and support for a full-service campus in their city.

“Now that the land is secured, we can really get moving on implementing our plans for Rio Rancho,” said acting UNM President David Harris. Harris estimates property development could begin toward the end of 2007.

The new UNM full-service campus, to be built next to the new Rio Rancho city hall and central business district, will include classrooms, labs, bookstores and accessory retail, eating establishments, health care facilities and a research park.


The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

www.unm.edu