Justin Garcia Las Cruces Breaking News
According to a presentation to the Las Cruces City Council, general obligation bond projects are progressing well, with some projects scheduled for completion in the spring or summer.
City Public Works Director David Cedillo updated the City Council on the progress of the four projects at its Oct. 15 meeting. In November 2022, Las Cruces voters approved approximately $23 million in bonds for these projects.
New Mexico municipalities use bonds to fund brick-and-mortar capital improvement projects such as parks, libraries, and other city services. The city will use property tax revenue to pay off the bonds.
affordable housing
The most unconventional of the proposals, a $6 million bond for affordable housing, was approved with 20,156 people in favor (65 percent) and 10,872 people against (35 percent). Ta.
Officials said the bond will help spur affordable housing development. The city estimates Las Cruces is about 5,600 units short of meeting housing needs. Academic research shows that rising rents and home prices negatively impact crime and local economies.
Still, city officials and the City Council sat on the bond for about a year before cashing it out. The affordable housing bond was taxable because the money doesn’t go to brick-and-mortar projects like other bonds. At the time of approval, officials said they were concerned that taxes and interest would eat up too much of the bonds.
However, despite the interest rates, it ultimately sold the bonds in April 2024.
Natalie Green, the city’s housing and neighborhood services administrator, said about half of the bonds have been allocated so far. She also reported on progress on some of the city’s largest residential developments, including the Three Sisters apartment complex, Pedrena, and Peachtree Canyon.
The Green Party said Three Sisters, near the Meerscheid Center on North Walnut Street, is expected to fully open in June 2025, but some portions will open in advance. Pedrena, located on El Paseo Boulevard near Las Cruces High School, is scheduled to open in May 2025 and is reserved for seniors. Green also noted that officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for Peachtree Canyon in October.
fire department 9
Officials have promised that the new fire station, located in the growing Metro Verde area on the city’s far east side, will reduce response times in other east Las Cruces neighborhoods and serve as critical public safety infrastructure for the newest part of Las Cruces.
Voters approved the $10 million bond, with 22,974 (74%) in favor and 7,900 (26%) opposed. This equates to $9.8 million to the city, Cedillo said. The city also transferred $2 million from the Telschoor Fund to the project.
Cedillo said the project is progressing on schedule. Construction is scheduled to begin on October 28, with completion scheduled for February 2026.
Park maintenance
Voters also sent $2 million to the park after the city issued bonds to improve existing facilities. The bond was approved with 23,074 people (74%) in favor and 8,077 (26%) against.
Cedillo said the city received about $1.9 million and prioritized the revitalization of La Llorona Park, which borders the Rio Grande at West Picacho Bridge.
As part of this project, the city will renovate and repair restroom facilities, area walking trails, and other amenities. Cedillo said the next step is finalizing changes to the park with the international agency that oversees development along the Rio Grande.
Construction is expected to begin in November and be completed in September 2025, Cedillo said.
The remaining money will replace equipment at Telbroek Park on the city’s south side. Cedillo said he expects funding will be available for this based on the estimated cost of the first project.
East Mesa Recreation Complex
As one of the largest municipal projects in recent memory, voters in 2022 sent $5 million to fund the East Mesa Recreation Complex and approved a $16.9 million bond. , much of which was devoted to the same project.
The city held a grand opening for the complex’s pickleball courts in September and said the majority of the first phase of the project is complete. Cedillo said the city is still working on acquiring shade structures and designing playground equipment.
Cedillo said eight sand volleyball courts, two basketball courts, a referee and IT building, toilets, street furniture and other play equipment will also be put up for bid in November.
