ALAMOGORDO, N.M.—Otero County is moving forward with a major civic investment after commissioners approved the design and development of a new 45,000‑square‑foot courthouse to serve the 12th Judicial District. The project, estimated at $25–30 million, aims to replace the aging 1956 courthouse in downtown Alamogordo and address long‑standing deficiencies in space, security, and functionality.
ASA Architects, based in Las Cruces, has been selected to lead the design of the new facility. The firm has been involved with the county’s courthouse planning process since at least 2022, and the latest approval formalizes its role in delivering a modern, secure, and efficient judicial complex. ASA will work in partnership with Jaynes Corp., Stubbs Engineering, Inc., Souder, Miller & Associates, and Raxis Engineering, forming a multidisciplinary team responsible for architectural, structural, civil, and engineering components.
The new courthouse will be constructed off the Charlie T. Lee Memorial Relief Route, just north of Mesa Verde Ranch Road. County officials selected the site to provide adequate space for a contemporary judicial campus and to alleviate the operational constraints of the current downtown location.
ASA Architects reports that the facility will include four full courtrooms, two dedicated hearing rooms, and a suite of administrative and support spaces designed for efficiency and comfort. Enhanced security operations—long identified as a critical need—will be integrated into the building’s circulation, screening, and holding‑cell systems. The design also emphasizes improved public access, safer movement of detainees, and modernized technology infrastructure to support today’s judicial demands.
The existing courthouse, completed in 1955 and opened in 1956, has faced mounting challenges over the years. It lacks a fire‑suppression system, suffers from outdated heating and cooling equipment, and provides insufficient space for judges, staff, and court operations. Multiple assessments have concluded that renovation would be cost‑prohibitive and unable to meet modern standards, prompting the county to pursue a full replacement.
County commissioners approved the new courthouse in 2024, following earlier planning actions in 2022 and 2023. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction timelines expected to be finalized as design development progresses.
Officials say the new courthouse will provide a safer, more efficient environment for legal proceedings and public service, while supporting the long‑term needs of a growing region. ASA Architects describes the project as a generational investment in Otero County’s judicial infrastructure—one that will serve residents for decades to come.
