The City of Las Cruces Community Development Department has received the Sustainability in Planning Award from the American Planning Association-New Mexico Chapter. The City’s award is for the East Lohman Avenue Development Plan.
The award was presented to the Community Development Department at the APA-New Mexico Chapter State Conference, in October, in Albuquerque.
“This recognition highlights the upcoming East Lohman development, making it one of the City’s generators of economic development,” said Community Development Director Larry Nichols. “I have congratulated the Community Development Department Planning staff for their exceptional planning expertise in the East Lohman Master Plan. Well done, Community Development Department team!”
The East Lohman Avenue Development Plan was adopted by the Las Cruces City Council in September 2021. It is a conceptual development plan for more than 500 acres of City and privately-owned property that is adjacent to the intersection of east Lohman Avenue and Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.
The plan envisions a mixed use and sustainable development that includes health services, a mix of commercial and hospitality businesses, missing middle and detached housing, and open space land uses. The plan also foresees a transportation network with walkable streets and trails that safely accommodate vehicles, bicycles, and people.
Overall, the development plan facilitates the creation of a neighborhood center that values healthy living and lifestyles, provides diverse and attainable housing choices and integrates existing green space with the introduction of green infrastructure.
The project oversight and management were conducted by the Community Development Department with technical assistance from Sites Southwest and Civic Plan Studio.