Contractor Selected for Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza (NM)

Santa Fe, N.M., 5/9/2007: The New Mexico State Office of The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has selected Star Construction, Inc. of Albuquerque to build the Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza, a 12-acre public space project highlighted by a 10-acre park, a plaza, pocket parks, and a walk-bike path that will be the hub for an emerging citywide trail system.

TPL, a national nonprofit organization, is developing Santa Fe’s newest city park on behalf of the City of Santa Fe as part of the revitalization of the city-owned Santa Fe Railyard. A public groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of the Park and Plaza is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, in the Railyard Park, behind SITE Santa Fe, 1606 Paseo de Peralta.

TPL recently contracted with Star Construction after a competitive public procurement process. A New Mexico corporation since 1976, Star Construction has worked on a wide variety of construction projects statewide, including retail and public projects. Clients include public schools, the University of New Mexico, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Wells Fargo Bank, Galles-Davis Automotive and the Sandia Foundation. The firm also has completed projects in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Oklahoma.

“We launched the design effort for the Railyard Park and Plaza in 2001. Now, over the next 12 months, everything will come together,” said Brian Drypolcher, Railyard Park and Plaza project director for The Trust for Public Land. “This is a very exciting time for Santa Fe.”

Star Contruction President Clayton Gooden added: “Star Construction is grateful for being made a part of the team and looks forward to working with the Trust for Public Land and the City of Santa Fe on the Railyard Park and Plaza project.”

Construction on the Railyard Park and Plaza, which will involve different elements throughout the 12-acre site initiated at different times, is expected to be completed during spring and early summer of 2008. Park highlights include a creative all-ages Children’s Play Environment; shaded gardens and picnic areas; the 400-year-old Acequia Madre bordered by a beautifulcottonwood bosque; an outdoor performance space for arts presentations and community celebrations; and much more. The Railyard Plaza includes space for the weekly Farmers Market.

As construction gets under way, TPL is entering its final phase of its “Come Together” capital campaign to fund the project. To date, TPL has raised $10 million in public and private funds. An additional $3.5 is needed to complete all of the park and plaza’s built features and amenities.

The Railyard Park and Plaza project are integral parts of the revitalization of the historic 50-acre Santa Fe Railyard. When complete, the entire redevelopment project will include a mix of live-work, commercial and nonprofit entities, including the Santa Fe Farmers Market, El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, Warehouse 21 Teen Arts Center and SITE Santa Fe.

For more information about the Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza, call 988-5922 or visit www.railyardpark.org

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization with a mission to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come.