City and State Land Office Collaborate to Help New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Expand

ALBUQUERQUE – The City of Albuquerque and the New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands have joined forces to help the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NMSBVI) expand to safely serve students and families. The City and State Land Office are entering into a lease agreement for a vacant piece of state trust land, and the City will sublease the property to NMSBVI to bring the expansion to life. This strategic collaboration will pave the way for a series of major improvements designed to enhance campus safety and the educational environment for students. The Albuquerque City Council approved the lease agreement at its meeting this evening.

“The New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is very thankful to the NM State Land Office and the City of Albuquerque for partnering with us to acquire the needed property adjacent to our Early Childhood Program facility through this lease agreement to make these expansion and improvement plans a reality,” said Dr. Heather Miller, NMSBVI Superintendent.  “This project is guided by NMSBVI’s mission to provide high-quality education, resources, and support services to New Mexico students with blindness or visual impairment within a safe and respectful environment, which will bolster each student’s journey towards becoming independent, productive members of their communities. This expansion project will increase campus security, program capacity and vital services to Pre-K students with visual impairments.”

Leasing the unused lot which is adjacent to NMSBVI’s existing campus at the northeast corner of Eubank and Innovation Parkway (801 Stephen Moody Street NE), will allow the NMSBVI to address critical needs in the community and expand the school’s Early Childhood Program. The project is planned in multiple phases and will enhance the bus drop-off area, provide additional parking, construct a new kitchen and cafeteria, and add new playground equipment to improve student safety and recreation.

“This school plays such an important role in our community and provides opportunities to some of the most underserved populations in Albuquerque,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “If there’s anything the City can do to support their mission, we have to do it, that’s why we’re working together to help make this expansion a reality.”

 “The work we do at the State Land Office is important because it funds invaluable institutions like the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. NMSBVI provides life-changing educational programs for so many New Mexico kids and the folks there deserve the best resources and facilities to continue doing this great work,” said Commissioner Garcia Richard. “I applaud NMSBVI and the City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department for pursuing this lease, and strongly urge the City Council to approve it without delay. Doing so will allow NMSBVI to expand its campus and enhance the learning experience for its students even more.”

There will be no fiscal impact to the City of Albuquerque from this project. The proposed lease and sublease term for the state-owned lot is forty years. The annual cost for the lease and sublease is set at $8,148.00, with a 3% annual escalation, to be paid by NMSBVI. All lease payments will be made directly to the State Land Office, which distributes the money to support public schools in New Mexico.

"I am so excited about this partnership with the State Land Office that will help NMSBVI expand," said District 9 City Councilor Renee Grout. "This expansion will increase safety for student drop-off and enable the school to offer services to first- and second-graders as well. This is a win for these special-needs children and their families."

“Enhancing the facilities at NMSBVI will not only improve the daily experience for students but also provide a lasting benefit to our entire community,” said Economic Development Director Max Gruner.

This project will have an immense positive impact on the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the people they serve while also generating revenue for New Mexico’s schools. The agreement will also present the City of Albuquerque with other potential economic development opportunities on the leased parcel.