MCC to request $990K for building repairs

The Mesalands Community College board of trustees recommended during a special meeting Wednesday requesting $990,000 in state funds to improve Building A and Building E on campus.

Mark Martinez, the college’s executive director of operations and procurement, said he initially was going to recommend $500,000 after noting that insurance claims from the May 2023 hailstorm would improve those buildings.

However, board Chairman Richard Primrose doubted that request would be enough and recommended the ask be raised to $990,000 — the same amount requested last year in its five-year infrastructure capital improvement plan.

The board apparently concurred, as it approved Primrose’s recommendation.

The college’s requests faced a June 3 submission deadline, hence the special meeting.

Mesalands officials will make their pitch for the funds in front of a New Mexico Higher Education Department panel in Hobbs in August.

Martinez said Building A, the main building on campus, needs its roof replaced over its library, its windows and flooring replaced on the east side and fixing drainage issues. He also said the building also needs an exterior insulation finishing system in the courtyard and on its north side.

Building E, the wind-energy research center, needs stucco repairs, especially on its west side, gutter work and redesign and replacement of fans on its west side to help keep moisture from entering.

Martinez said he has requested a waiver of the usual 25% local match for the projects. He said the work can be performed in phases over several years.

Martinez’s presentation detailed current work being done on Building A, including a new student services area that is near completion.

He said the dinosaur museum also needs an estimated $59,593 for roof and exterior repairs. But Martinez noted only part of the facility is used for instruction, and state officials might balk on paying for renovations for the whole building for that reason.

Mesalands interim president Allen Moss said he initially wanted to request $2 million to build a new residence hall, as housing for students has remained a persistent issue.

However, he said the state is hesitant to fulfill such a request after Mesalands’ financial turmoil a year ago. So the college has pulled back on the scale of its capital funding requests.

“This is keeping up with what we already have,” Moss said.