A project in the development stages for seven years has plans to break ground in November.
But regents were hesitant to recommend the agenda item in Monday's Finance and Facilities Committee meeting because money from private donations is not in the bank.
The University has been receiving money for the new School of Architecture since 1997. Private donations are expected to fund $2.12 million of the project.
Caldera said the University will have to raise more than the $2.12 million.
"That's the reality going forward," he said.
When Regent Mel Eaves asked to see confirmation the money is all there, Caldera said although some pledges have been made, he could not show those figures to Eaves because he was not prepared to discuss that part of the project.
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Eaves repeatedly asked about the money pledged for private donations.
"I feel like I'm asking for a military secret here," Eaves said.
Caldera pushed to move the project forward because he said the University wants to demonstrate to the Legislature it is ready to move ahead so legislators don't use the situation "as evidence we don't deploy the resources they give to us."
"Our efforts in Santa Fe are hurt if this building is not on track," Caldera said.
The building will be on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Cornell Drive, in front of the UNM Bookstore and across from the Cornell parking structure.
It will wipe out the 87 parking spaces on the lot. Before the project could be approved, the Cornell parking structure had to be finished.
"When the University chose to defer construction, that certainly set our schedule back," said Roger Lujan, director of facility planning.
The School of Architecture is housed in three different locations, all of which are off campus.
Lujan said putting the buildings together will enhance quality and round out the educational experience.
"There's nothing like being able to combine different years and different experience in a single studio space," he said.
Total cost for the building is $17,620,000.
Lujan said part of the uniqueness of the building will be its use of LEED principles in design. LEED is a green-building rating system that includes water efficiency, sustainability, site planning, conservation of materials and resources, indoor environmental
quality and energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Using these categories, Lujan said it is possible to attain a silver certification with 37 points, but that has to be evaluated by LEED.
The building will rise five stories, with the College of Fine Arts and Design Library topping it.
There will also be space dedicated to six seminar rooms, design studios, four classrooms, a student gallery, study space and faculty offices.
The project is expected to be complete in time for the fall 2006 semester.
Lujan said architecture students had their say in the design of the building. Bids will be based on the specifications of the architect.
If the cost exceeds the budget when bids are made, the project will go back to the Board of Regents for reconsideration.
