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As a supplier of sand and gravel, and – as its name suggests – capable of per­forming a range of construction services, Versatile Construction Co. is called upon to work on a diverse array of projects. Not only is the Tucumcari, N.M.-based company a frequent contractor with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, but it also has experience in retail, civil, water and wastewater treatment, and commercial construction projects for the public and private sectors. 

At this time, Versatile Construction is involved with a number of local projects. It is completing the 2nd Street project for the New Mexico DOT in Versatile Construction’s hometown of Tucumcari. This is a $1.79 million project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009; ARRA estimates this project created at least seven jobs.

“There is still much work that needs to be done, but it is clear that the Recovery Act is making a difference,” Rep. Ben Ray Luján said in a statement. “Right here in New Mexico, the Recovery Act has saved jobs for teachers, police officers and fire fighters, while creating jobs and cutting taxes for small businesses and families.” 

Versatile Construction is responsible for upgrading the signing, striping, curb and gutter, sidewalk, drainage structures and pavement on the 2nd Street job. The company also performed the project’s engineering work. When the 2nd Street project is completed, it is expected to en­hance safety and improve existing pavement, according to NMDOT.

In nearby Logan, N.M., Versatile Construction is working on the second phase of a sewer project, which is being funded by a loan and a grant from the ARRA, and funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The total cost of this phase is more than $4.1 million. 

Expanding Services

The Logan sewer system is being upgraded to protect the water quality of local Ute Lake. Before the project began, all lakeside homes were on septic systems, which had the possibility of damaging the quality of the lake, according to the USDA. 

Not only does the lake provide recreation activities, but it also will provide water – via a future pipeline – to the nearby communities of Clovis and Portales, N.M., which makes protecting the water even more critical.

Additionally, the New Mexico Environment Department explains residences using septic tanks must have a minimum lot size of three-fourths acres. Many lots in the Logan and Ute Lake areas are smaller than this mandated size, so they couldn’t be developed unless a collection system was built. 

The first phase of the Logan Sewer project got underway in May 2009. The city decided the construction of a treatment plant was not feasible because its population varies too widely throughout the year, due to visitors coming to Ute Lake. The city has been using three collection ponds since 1972 and has not had any problems with them, it says. Upon the completion of the first phase, the city explains, 400 new customers were connected to the system.

During the second phase of the project, Versatile Construction is responsible for building a wastewater pond and low-pressure and gravity collection systems, as well as completing necessary site improvements. The company started its work a few months ago and is scheduled to finish by spring 2011.