Some two dozen University of New Mexico construction, upgrade, and renovation projects are now on their way to the planning process, fueled by upwards of $300 million in state funding.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has given her approval to a series of capital outlay requests passed this winter by members of the state legislature, the largest of which, at $280 million, is funding for the building of a new School of Medicine on UNM’s main Albuquerque campus.
UNM has long wanted to replace its existing Reginald Heber Fitz Hall, which was built in 1967. The project, which received design funding in an earlier legislation session, is to be built at the intersection of Lomas Boulevard and University Boulevard.
According to sources, the new structure will include expanded classroom and laboratory space and will allow the school to increase its class sizes from around 100 to 200 students.
A large $15 million will go for the property acquisition and planning, design, and construction of a UNM clinical services building in San Miguel County, while just over $1 million is targeting the building of a Lobo Softball clubhouse on the Albuquerque campus. That clubhouse project is part of a larger $2.8 million effort upgrading the school’s softball and baseball facilities.
$900,000 has been approved for the planning and building of the Accessibility Resource Center in Albuquerque; along with $435,000 for general campus safety and security upgrades, also on the main campus.
One of the smallest UNM items approved by the Governor, at $50,000, will fund the design, planning, and improvements to the school’s long-popular Popejoy Hall performing arts center.
Opened in the fall of 1966, the 2,000-seat Popejoy is the largest venue of its kind in the state.
April 13, 2026
By Garry Boulard
