Centennial Engineering Center
Last Updated: April 2007

Live Cam

Demolition of Wagner Hall Began July 5, 2006 and was completed August 19, 2006. Robles and Sons Inc torn down the building and here are some pictures: Demolition Pictures.

The groundbreaking occured on September 13, 2006. See pictures. Work is expected to be complete in July 2008.

Bradbury and Stamm mobilized on site October 19, 2006. For early project photos, click here.

During the project B Zone Parking on Redondo Rd. (running parallel to University Blvd.,between Central and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) will be displaced during construction of the Centennial Engineering Center.  Beginning Saturday, September 9th, 2006, B Zone Permit holders will no longer be able to park along Redondo Rd. in front of the Centennial Engineering Center construction site.  Parking will be affected in the area for the duration of the project, which is expected to last approximately two years. Alternative B Zone parking is available nearby at the Parking and Transportation Services Parking Lot on the northwest corner of University and Central.

History:

The 1999/2000 New Mexico Legislature approved planning funds to be used by the UNM School of Engineering to continue the progress in planning the Centennial Engineering Center (CEC).

With the approval of Bond B, $94 million will go toward higher education throughout New Mexico. UNM will receive $17 million of those funds and put $4 million toward the construction of the Centennial Engineering Center. The new center will replace Wagner and Tapy Hall, which were constructed in 1949.

During the 2006 Legislative Session, the UNM Lobbying Team focused on obtaining in capital outlay funds for a 147,500 square foot building to replace Wagner and Tapy Halls, Civil Engineering, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Lab, and the Engineering Annex. This will house Civil, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, the Computer Science Department, Engineering Student Programs, Minority Student Programs and the School of Engineering administrative offices. The additional $4.45 million from the 2006 session and the $25 million from the 2005 student-free financed bond issue, will allow us to start construction this year.

Tapy Hall used to house the administrative offices of the Department of Civil Engineering and classrooms, but now has many members from Wagner Hall there as we prepare to demolish Wagner. After the completion of the Centenial Engineering Center, Tapy Hall will be demolished.

Photo of Wagner Hall. Photo by Sabra Basler.

Photo of Tapy Hall. Photo by Sabra Basler.

We're planning a 2006 groundbreaking for the CEC. 2006 marks the School's centennial year. We will use "CEC' as the working title until a donor is found to name the building. Our vision for a hub to the engineering campus has become more tangible as a firm has been selected to produce a program plan and conceptual drawings.

Project Scope:

The Centenial Engineering Center is more than a replacement for buildings that are beyond repair and well past their progammed lifed. It is a landmark statement that will bring form to the function of interaction in engineering education and research. Connected to the other engineering buildings, the CEC will house the Civil Engineering Department, School administration, all engineering student programs, and some replacement space for departments who have labs in the areas to be razed for the project.

The new Engineering Center is three stories above grade and one story below grade. As Roger Lujan, University Architect, states,

"This facility will change the face of the campusin profound and beautiful ways. It is prominently situated at the west gateway to campus, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The arthitecture is traditional in feel --expressive of the John Gaw Meen trademark of ascending masses and slightly tapered wall surfaces. The orginal portal that was the formal entrance to Wagner Hall is replicated in scale and rhythm on the west facade of the new Center as a gentle reminder of the Spanish Pueblo Revival style."

Wagner Hall, Tapy Hall, engineering labs, and the Engineering Annex (Buildings # 106,107,111,117,118) will all be removed during the various phases of this project to make way for the new CEC. Building 107, the Engineering Annex, was demosishedin 2001 to make way for the Ford Utility Plant expansion.

To Contribute:

A task force of volunteers will work on behalf of the School to identify and garner support from the state, federal agencies, corporations, foundations, emeriti and the community. Naming opportunities abound. For more information, please contact Steven Zoncki. Steven is a development officer for the Engineering department. 505-277-5539.

Estimated Project Cost: $42 Million

Timeline: September 2006-July 2008

Building Size: 147,500 square feet.

Architects: Van Gilbert & Assoc.

For the pdf file related to the legislative request for 2005 click here

For the latest news, please Click Here to go to the School of Engineering website.

Sabra Jane Basler
Transportation Information/Project Facilitator
University Communication and Marketing

MSC04 2545

1 UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001