During the tour of several Fort Bayard National Landmark facilities by state officials and interested community members Wednesday, it was explained that an Expression of Interest in purchasing the property is the first stage of a multi-phase process for the state to sell the property.

An information sheet was handed out, which had several questions and answers.

An inventory of the 62 buildings on the 298 acres, which will be offered for purchase to those interested during the next step of the process, were listed with their square footage.

Questions answered were: How many federal and state entities are involved with the site? They include the New Mexico Department of Health, the non-profit Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, NM Environment Department, State Historic Preservation Office, U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, and the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.

The old Fort Bayard Medical Center hospital was built in 1921 and has 145,507 square feet of space.

The U.S. Veterans Administration has requested 20 acres more or less of the state-owned property to expand the Fort Bayard National Cemetery, which is close to capacity.

The DOH has requested 50-70 acres for expansion, including a facility for mental health services.

A dozen entities have already expressed an interest in the property.

New Mexico holds the water rights, but will consider leasing water usage to the occupant/owner of the campus.

The furnishings and equipment in the buildings belong to state agencies and are not part of the Expression of Interest, but will be disposed of separately.

Questions from individuals, agencies or organizations are welcome to be sent to Elizabeth.Jeffries@state.nm.us or mailed to Elizabeth Jeffries at 2542 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87502 to be received by Dec. 13.

The questions and answers will be posted by Dec. 17 to http://www.generalservices.state.nm.us/statepurchasing/ITBs__RFPs_and_Bid_Tabulation.aspx

The deadline for the EOI is Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. Each expression of interest must include name and contact information; organization or business name; intentions for site; and the questions 1-13 on the EOI must be answered. The EOI should also be submitted by email to Elizabeth.Jeffries@state.nm.us or mailed to Elizabeth Jeffries, 2542 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87502. You may also contact her with questions by phone at 505-670-7423 or 505-827-2141.

The next step in the process, if enough interest is received, will be a request for proposal to purchase the Fort Bayard acreage and buildings.