Lt. Governor tours city renovation projects

Lt. Governor Howie Morales toured two City of Socorro remodel projects, the Finley Gym and former Zimmerly Elementary School, soon to be the Socorro Police department and judicial complex.

“Coming back brings a lot of memories, especially walking through this building,” Morales said of the Finley gym.

During the tour last Wednesday, he said funding projects like the Finley Gym for community use is about quality of life and giving the youth a safe place to socialize.

City of Socorro General Director, Lloyd Martinez estimated they need about 1.2 million more in funding to complete the Finley Gym remodel.

The building built in the 1930’s needs new HVAC systems, electrical work to bring up to code, modifications for accessibility, remodel for bathrooms, classrooms, said Martinez.

Martinez has been the witness and overseer of the Finley gym reawakening for the past 39 years. He attended junior high in the old building in the mid ’70s.

He said the plan is to provide more parking for the area, host community events and spaces for youth programs including esports. The renovated portions of the gym currently have a community gym space, new bathrooms and a renovated basketball court.

“We do a lot of stuff ourselves to try to make every dollar work.” Martinez said.

Morales said with the rodeo complex project it started as just a concept and a small amount of funding and empty piece of land.

“Because for every dollar, the value they (the city) bring in just expands that dollar. You have that beautiful testament of what could be done,” Morales said, “ It’s all for the community and quality of life.”

Morales said he believes in family engagement, community and recreation for the youth and the Finley Gym project embodied those ideas.

Future Police Department

Police Chief Angel Garcia led the tour at the future police department and judicial complex to be housed in the former Zimmerly Elementary school.

He told Morales the current police station had significant issues including mold, asbestos and cramped conditions for his staff.

Garcia said the renovation project is extensive, with a total estimated cost of $6 million, on top of the $1.2 million that has been secured so far.

“All that does is cover HVAC, pretty much,” Garcia said.

Garcia said they looked into how much a new department building would cost and it was about triple what they were seeking to finish their project to renovate the old school.

Planned changes include new patrol and evidence rooms, a municipal court area, secure doors, a sally port (secure garage for inmate transfer) and updated restrooms.

Garcia said some rooms will remain largely unchanged, while others will be repurposed for training, storage, and booking. The playground area will be maintained and secured during construction, with a large wall planned for separation between the complex’s sally port and playground.

The Socorro school board approved the donation of the Zimmerly building to the city in August 2024.