U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar joined U.S. Consul General in Guadalajara Amy Scanlon along with representatives from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) and Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Mission personnel, and Mexican officials for the formal dedication ceremony of the new U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara. The new Consulate will formally begin providing services to the public later this summer. This ribbon cutting is the first in a series of upcoming U.S. Embassy and Consulate project completions in Mexico.
The new facility features design elements that blend seamlessly with the local environment, drawing inspiration from local architectural customs while emphasizing functionality and sustainability. To accommodate the projected increase in demand for consulate space, the number of consulate windows has been increased to better serve visitors and expedite services. Vibrant art installations enliven the indoor waiting area and outdoor overflow space, where visitors can find shelter under natural palapa shade while paying homage to local traditions. The result is a consulate that not only meets the operational needs of a diplomatic mission but also serves as a model of innovation and responsible development in international diplomacy.
The new Consulate prioritizes environmental protection through the use of advanced energy and water-efficiency measures, including solar panels, wastewater treatment systems, innovative stormwater management, and drip irrigation for all landscaping needs. Landscaping uses locally sourced, drought-tolerant plants that reduce water needs.
Miller Hull Partnership of Seattle, Washington was the design architect, and BL Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama built the consulate, while Page Architects of Washington, D.C. served as architect of record. Throughout the project, an estimated $66 million was invested into the local economy, and over 1,880 Mexican workers were employed during its construction.
The bilateral relationship between the United States and Mexico is of enormous importance, directly impacting the everyday lives of millions of American and Mexican citizens, whether through trade, joint security or tourism. Within this same timeframe, OBO has completed five major construction projects in Mexico: four new consulates located in Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Merida and Nogales, and one new embassy in Mexico City. The new consulate complex in Guadalajara is an important physical representation of a long-term commitment to U.S.-Mexico relations and a permanent presence in the region.
Learn more about the project Here,
OBO provides the most effective facilities for United States diplomacy abroad. Since the beginning of the Department’s Capitol Security Construction Program in 1999, OBO has completed 179 new diplomatic facilities and has more than 50 active projects in design or construction around the world.
For more information, please contact Meghan Seybold [email protected] or visit www.state.gov/obo,
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