CNM to Celebrate Grand Re-Opening of Louis E. Saavedra Administration Building
CNM is excited to announce the grand re-opening of the Louis E. Saavedra Administration (LSA) Building on Main Campus. A celebration of the re-opening will take place on Thursday at 2 p.m.
This building carries considerable historical significance to CNM, since it was the institution’s first facility in 1965. Before that, it was the University Heights Elementary School, highlighting the location's longstanding legacy of teaching, learning, and local history.
“The LSA grand re-opening event is especially meaningful because it is the final major celebration during our 60th Anniversary year,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “And what better way to close out this milestone than by honoring the remarkable renewal of a building that has played such a significant role in CNM’s history and the neighborhoods around Main Campus. While we celebrate CNM’s history – and the history of this building – this grand opening inspires us to continue to look forward. The work that will happen in this revitalized space will help advance CNM’s strategic goals, change more lives for the better, and build a stronger, more vibrant, and more prosperous Central New Mexico community for everyone.”
The building is named after Louis E. Saavedra, who was the first “principal” of TVI when it was operated under Albuquerque Public Schools. In 1979, TVI became an independent institution, and he was selected as the college’s first president, for a combined 24 years of leadership to TVI. After retiring from TVI, he went on to serve as the Mayor of Albuquerque from 1989 to 1993. The LSA Building will continue to honor his extraordinary legacy as an educator, public servant, and a visionary leader.
The building has served several purposes over the past 60 years, from TVI classrooms to traditional office space. It now houses the President’s Office, Vice President offices, and other support services.
The two story, 11,000 square foot brick building was built in 1923. The construction of the building was unique, with each layer being built with whatever material was available at the local railyard. This led to an eclectic mix of features, from concrete piers and beams in the basement to layers of structural and decorative brick.
The remodeling of the building required a balance of skill and patience, as the contractors worked to tie together the different materials and building techniques with modern best practices.
Overall, the remodeled building was designed to highlight the building’s historic features while creating an open, inviting space for CNM faculty, staff, and community partners. Some key historical interior features include:
- Period-inspired doors and windows
- Original wood floors from 1923
- Walls with original exposed brick
Along with these historical touches, the remodel takes advantage of natural light in both the morning and afternoon, when sunlight is pulled through interior spaces. One of the biggest changes is the lobby area, which is now a two-story space with a mezzanine to create a more open, friendly environment when people walk in the door.