New Border Patrol station 70 percent complete
By Adriana M. Chávez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 01/06/2008 03:30:09 PM MST


A new U.S. Border Patrol station being built in Northeast El Paso should be completed by summer, Border Patrol officials said last week.
U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Agent Ramiro Cordero said the station is about 70 percent complete, and agents are scheduled to move into the building in August.

U.S. Border Patrol agents broke ground in November 2006 on a new, "environmentally friendly" patrol station at Castner Range.

Many residents near the 45-acre site voiced concerns in the past about developing Castner Range, which sits at the base of the Franklin Mountains, but agents said during the groundbreaking ceremony that close attention will be given to preserving the site's environment and aesthetics.

Border Patrol officials said that the station would be the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified station in the country.

The $15.6 million station was designed by BPLW+ASCG of Texas and will take up 16 acres of a 45-acre site. The rest of the land may be used for future expansion.

The Castner Range station will house 350 agents. Officials said the station will function as a processing and administrative center for agents, and will allow agents to perform duties related to El Paso's status as a focus for homeland security.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_7897798