Sandoval County is moving shop. The government offices are moving from downtown Bernalillo at 711 Camino del Pueblo to the portion of Bernalillo surrounded by Rio Rancho.

Sandoval County will construct an administrative building at Plazuela de Sandoval, located in the northwest quadrant of Idalia and NM 528. Plazuela de Sandoval currently includes the Judicial Complex and the Sandoval County Health Commons.

District 3 Commissioner David Bency says the complex is long over due. “We have outgrown our current building and this will give us more space,” Bency said. “I think access will be 100 percent better and I hope it will make people more county-aware and make trips easier.”

Sandoval County commissioners unanimously voted on Oct. 16 to award the construction contract to Cameron Construction of Santa Fe. Cameron had a lower bid than four competitors, quoting a price of $10.65 million. Bradbury Stamm had the second lowest bid at $10.989 million.

Phil Rios, the county’s public works director, said he anticipates Cameron breaking ground on either Oct. 28 or 29, and the building to be open by 2010.

The 82,000 sq. ft. building will house all the current divisions presently located in the courthouse on Camino del Pueblo.

The exterior of the building will appear friendly and inviting with a uniform interior color scheme, reflecting Southwest architecture.

The most frequently visited offices will be located on the first floor. They include elected officials, clerk, treasurer, probate and assessor.

The divisions will share a large atrium that highlights a soothing water feature, banco seating and a kiva fireplace. There also will be a large community room, employee kitchen, break room and mail room.

Information technology, personnel, community services and finance offices will be on the second floor.

The third floor will house the commission room, the county manager’s office and the county attorney’s office.

In addition, the commission chambers are moving into the 21st century. The room will have large-screen televisions for presentations, theater seating and laptops for each commissioner.

In addition to being functional, the building’s interior and exterior also will be pleasing to the eye. Local artisans’ artwork will be displayed in a gallery outside the administrative spaces.

Kevin Balciar, architect of Soleil West, met with each division’s director to carefully develop each division’s floor plan.