U.S. dedicates new consulate in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, July 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of State dedicated its new consulate in Monterrey, Mexico on Wednesday.

The new consulate complex is situated in the Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon area on a 10-acre site. The consulate's location features an office building, a U.S. Marine Corps residence, and support buildings. It is expected to handle more than 400,000 visa applicants each year.

Built with sustainability in mind, the $154 million project included the installation of "200 kilovolt-ampere photovoltaic array, an improved thermal envelope, high-efficiency fenestration, exterior shading devices, and daylighting controls," the State Department noted.

Under Secretary for Management Patrick Kennedy, Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Michelle Bond, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico E. Anthony Wayne, Consul General Joseph M. Pomper, and Principal Deputy Director for the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Heather Townsend were on hand for Tuesday's dedication.