Fidelity plans to put human resources services into the Mesa del Sol space, creating 1,250 jobs for the area. "Fidelity's selection of this location for a major facility reflects its great confidence in New Mexico's workforce and the quality of life provided at Mesa del Sol," Michael Daly, president of Forest City Covington NM LLC, says in a press release. The group will provide corporate clients with payroll, health and welfare and HR services.

Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises Inc. has partnered with Covington NM LLC, an affiliate of Santa Monica, CA-based Covington Capital Corp. to develop the 12,900-acre mixed-use project. The developers expect build-out to take 35 to 50 years. Eventually, Mesa del Sol will have 18 million sf of industrial, office and retail space and 37,500 residential units.

In January 2006, Albuquerque-based Advent Solar Inc. built an 87,000-sf, LEED-certified research and development center in Mesa del Sol and Pacifica Ventures later that year announced plans for a 50-acre Albuquerque Studios, finishing it last year. Sony Pictures Imageworks also has announced plans to build a 100,000-sf digital production facility in Mesa del Sol and more recently, Germany-based Schott AG unveiled a plan for an 800,000-sf plant to manufacture solar panels.

Construction began this month on a 78,000-sf mixed-use town center, designed by architect Antoine Predock of Albuquerque as a hub for visitors, office space and retail. Meanwhile, the developer will start grading its first residential lots in March. Model homes will be open by mid-2009, with homebuyers able to move in by late 2009.

"With momentum continuing to build, Mesa del Sol has clearly demonstrated that it will live up to its tremendous promise," Daly says. Other development partners are the New Mexico State Land Office and University of New Mexico plus the expected show of support from city, county and state governments.