By Rene Romo
Albuquerque Journal APRIL 19, 2009

LAS CRUCES — As the dream of Spaceport America unfolds there still is the business of building the complex, which will be operated like a government-owned airport where facilities are leased to private companies.

The state is expected to start seeking bids on the first components of the project by early May, said Steve Landeene, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.
Construction of a runway, 10,000 feet long and 200 feet wide, will be among the first contracts awarded.

The state broke the project into 13 components to give smaller New Mexico companies a better chance of winning contracts. Those smaller projects include installation of a water distribution system, a wastewater treatment system, the electrical distribution network, a communication system, fencing, fuel storage and facilities for emergency responders.

"It's going to be a small city out there," said John Roberts, construction manager for Gerald Martin General Contractor, which is overseeing the spaceport construction project.

Northern access to the spaceport — a dirt road starting at Engle, a spot on a railroad line 15 miles east of TorC — is already being improved.

One of the last contracts put out to bid will be construction of the spaceport's iconic terminal and hangar facility, which is being designed primarily for Virgin Galactic's needs.
Gerald Martin has conaducted town hall meetings in Doña Ana, Grant and Otero counties to discuss the project.

Roberts said plans are being drawn up to establish at least one work camp to house about 400 workers on the project.

While Spaceport America will face competition from other aerospace companies operating out of other spaceports, such as Blue Origin's vertically launched craft being developed in Culberson County, Texas, Landeene said he believes the commercial space industry will be big enough to accommodate several players.

"There will be plenty of business for all," he said.