To view a copy of the contract for the first phase of construction of the city's Museum of Nature and Science, click here.

To view a copy of mid-year adjustments to the city budget, click here.

LAS CRUCES - Plans can now go forward for the city's first-ever "arts and science" complex.

"This is pretty exciting," said Gail Morgan, a Las Cruces homemaker who has three grade-school-aged children. "For years, I've hoped that the city could one day have one big museum where art, nature and science was all combined. It's going to happen, and I'm excited for my children and for myself."

A contract worth more than $821,000, for the first phase of construction of the city's Museum of Nature and Science, was unanimously approved Tuesday by the City Council. Mayor Ken Miyagishima was absent from Tuesday's meeting, but all of the remaining six council members voted to award the contract to Wooten Construction Co., of Las Cruces.

Architectural design, exhibit construction and general construction of the building, at 411 N. Main St., will be done by Las Cruces businesses. Eric Martin, city project management administrator, said ASA Architects has a contract with the city for architectural

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design of the proposed museum, and Highland Enterprises, also of Las Cruces, has been hired to build exhibits.

"This is a real benefit to the city, to have local businesses with local employees working on this project," Councilor Nathan Small said. "This is good for many aspects of our city."

Martin said money to pay for the first phase of museum construction will come from grants the city has received. The phase will include the removal of asbestos and lead from the building, which has twice served as banks. The 8,900-square-foot building has been at its location for more than 45 years.

It is estimated to cost $156,400 for lead and asbestos abatement.

The first phase of construction will also include the installation of renewable energy demonstration systems - wind and solar. That portion of the project will cost $587,830, with funding to pay for it coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or more commonly known as stimulus funding.

"I'm just glad we're moving forward on this," Councilor Gill Sorg said.

Will Ticknor, administrator of city museums, said the first phase of construction will soon begin. That will take several months to complete, and that would transition into a second phase of general construction that also includes plans to connect the Museum of Nature and Science with the city's Museum of Art.

"If all can go as planned, the goal is to open the new facility the first week of November 2012," Ticknor said.

Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452.

Council action

•An $821,487 contract for the first phase of construction of the city's Museum of Nature and Science was awarded Tuesday by the City Council to Wooten Construction, Las Cruces.

•Mid-year adjustments to the city budget for the current fiscal year were also authorized because the city's ending balance for the fiscal year is projected to be $3.6 million less than was initially approved.

•The council also adopted a resolution formally approving its commitment of as much as $250,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds for a proposed federal low-

income housing tax credit project that could be built at 575 S. Alameda Blvd.