Media Note from the U.S. Department of State Spokesperson:
“The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) celebrated the construction of two new consulates in Hermosillo and Nogales, Mexico, with back-to-back ceremonies illustrating our continued investment in the U.S.-Mexico relationship.
Diplomatic ties between the United States and Mexico impact the lives of millions across both our nations profoundly. The new consulate facilities will serve as hubs for continued U.S.-Mexico cooperation on trade, security, and tourism, while building on our existing consular services, sustainability efforts, and cultural ties. The new buildings are part of a broader OBO effort to open four new consulate facilities in Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Merida, and Nogales, and a new embassy in Mexico City. Altogether, Mission Mexico is comprised of 10 diplomatic facilities.
Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico – On September 24, 2024, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, Acting Principal Officer Timothy Stater, Governor of Sonora Alfonso Durazo, Mayor of Hermosillo Antonio Astiazarán, Sinaloa Minister of Economy Javier Gaxiola Coppel, and OBO Former Managing Director for Construction and Security Management Tracy Thomas presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new U.S. Consulate Hermosillo. The ceremony included remarks by the dignitaries and a cultural performance.
The new consulate in Hermosillo was designed by Richärd Kennedy Architects and constructed by B.L. Harbert International, with the firm Page as Architect of Record. With a total investment of $230 million, $40 million of which went directly into the local economy, the project has had a tangible impact on economic growth and development in the region. The facility integrates advanced energy efficiency features, including solar panels, stormwater management systems, and water-conserving landscaping practices, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable construction.
Nogales, Sonora, Mexico – On September 25, 2024, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Salazar and former OBO Managing Director Thomas joined Consul General Michelle Ward; Sonora Governor Durazo; Mexican consuls from Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales, and Douglas, Arizona; representatives from U.S. Congressional offices; and the Mayors of Nogales on both sides of the U.S. Mexico border to dedicate the new U.S. Consulate Nogales. The ceremony consisted of dignitary remarks, unveiling of the dedication plaque, and a musical performance by the 323rd U.S. Army Band.
The new consulate in Nogales, designed by Ennead Architects with Page as the Architect of Record and constructed by BL Harbert International, involved a total investment of $203 million, with $70 million directly invested into the local economy. The facility has a similar emphasis on sustainability through shading elements, native landscaping, and renewable resources. Expanded consular services reinforce the vital economic and people-to-people ties between Arizona and Sonora, while the design and construction integrate local materials and art to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region on both sides of the border.
The new facilities in Mission Mexico advance OBO’s mission to provide the most effective facilities for U.S. diplomacy abroad and will undoubtedly bear witness to the historic and important relationship between the people of Mexico and the people of the United States. Since the start of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program in 1999, OBO has completed 182 new diplomatic facilities and has more than 50 active projects in design or construction worldwide.
For more information, please contact OBOExternalAffairs@state.gov or visit obo.state.gov and oboportfolio.state.gov/missionmexico.”
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Photo credit – Overseas Buildings Operations Official Facebook Page
The post The U.S. Department of State Celebrates the Ribbon-Cutting of the New U.S. Consulate Hermosillo and the Dedication of the New U.S. Consulate Nogales appeared first on BL Harbert International.