A joint city/county water-supply project is at the top of the wish list the city of Santa Fe has presented to state lawmakers.

The city of Santa Fe plans to seek $4 million for the Buckman Direct Diversion project during the upcoming legislative session. The state Water Trust Board has signed off on that request and forwarded it to the state Legislature, said project manager Rick Carpenter.

If that amount is funded, officials will still need at least $148 million to complete the project that has a total cost estimate of $171 million.

The city and county have agreed to evenly share capital costs for the diversion structure, associated treatment plant and pipelines, including an even split on any state grants. Leaders have said they will use gross-receipts taxes and other sources to make up the difference.

The second of the city's top four priorities is $1 million to complete a Santa Fe River and watershed restoration project. The city has already received about $700,000 from the 2007 Legislature for riverbank stabilization and erosion protection as well as trail construction. The new request would be enough to acquire right of way and complete the project along the river from Camino Alire to Frenchy's Field Park.

Rachel Friedman, whom the city recently hired as river coordinator, said the project will benefit the community and is part of a larger collaborative effort that includes Santa Fe County and other partners.

Two public safety projects round out the city's request list. Upgrades to the police headquarters — estimated to cost about $1.5 million — include new ventilation, heating and cooling systems, and new energy-efficient windows as well as re-roofing and re-stuccoing.

Another $1 million would nearly complete funds needed to build a new Fire Station 3 on Cerrillos Road near Ashbaugh Park.

Fire Chief Chris Rivera said the renovations will give firefighters serving there some breathing room, as currently five to six workers spend 48-hour shifts in about 1,100 square feet of space.

"The facilities aren't adequate for the people that are staying there. We are just running out of space," he said.

The department is planning to build at least one more station in the near future in the northwest sector of the city.

City Public Works Director Robert Romero said the city has other smaller projects that it will seek funding for, and the city will also support requests from area nonprofits but didn't put them on their top wish list.

"The reason that this is all we are asking for because funding is limited," said Romero. "It was the governing body's decision that we keep the list short so it is clear to the Legislature that these are our priorities, and hopefully that will help us to get these priorities funded."

Contact Julie Ann Grimm at 986-3017 or jgrimm@sfnewmexican.com.