The Las Cruces City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, July 19, 2021 in Council Chambers at Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St.
Monday’s meeting will be the first time in 16 months that City Council has officially gathered together. Due to the enforcement of state and local public health orders as a result of the pandemic, the Council has meet remotely since March 2020.
The Council will consider adoption of a Resolution to accept the Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park Master Plan. Formerly known as the West Mesa Industrial Park, the approximately 1,820-acre City-owned facility is off of Interstate 10 and is adjacent to Las Cruces International Airport. The industrial park has 91 parcels, with 19 businesses currently using about 340 acres in the industrial park.
Initially, City Council adopted the West Mesa Industrial Park Master Plan in 1996, and it was amended in 2002. Earlier this year, the City renamed the area the Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park (LCIIP.).
Given the industry structure of the City and shifts associated with macroeconomics trends and industrial-related growth, it is projected there will be a yearly demand for approximately 100,000 square feet of industrial space at the park. The LCIIP is strategically positioned with ample land and capacity to accommodate future demand for all industrial sectors.
The City has conducted a strategic industries study to identify current market opportunities and strengths specifically aimed at growing the LCIIP and nearby Las Cruces International Airport. The study’s conclusions indicated a comparative advantage in three industries: aerospace, aviation, military/defense; value-added agriculture; and advanced manufacturing.
To modernize and improve the competitiveness of the LCIIP to grow these industries, an update to the master plan was recommended. The proposed master plan compliments the City's Elevate Las Cruces Comprehensive Plan.
Stakeholder meetings were conducted to establish fundamental planning issues with current business owners in the industrial park and at Las Cruces International Airport, as well as other economic development partners including the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, New Mexico State University, the Borderplex Alliance, Spaceport America, and White Sands Missile Range. Business community surveys also were conducted, and a project website has been maintained throughout the project.
In drafting the master plan, topics of discussion included:
- Updating it to focus on making the industrial park more competitive while also promoting environmental and energy efficiency.
- Renaming and branding of the park; and appointing a full-time property and sales manager – which have already been accomplished.
- Updating the park’s land use with specific development strategies based on market demand by configuring it into separate districts.
- Developing industry brochures and a website to increase visibility and provide information.
- Developing an overview of short- and long-term implementation goals.
Additionally, at Monday’s meeting, City Council will consider a Resolution to accept a $190,000 Municipal Arterial Program grant award from the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). If approved by the Council, the grant award would require the City to provide $63,333 in matching funds. The grant would be used to install a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal device at the intersection of Picacho Avenue and Fourth Street.
In early June, NMDOT sent an award letter to the City for the project. NMDOT requires a governmental resolution to be submitted that indicates the municipality will accept the award and make the project a priority for the City.
The signal device will complement an existing mid-block school crossing at the intersection of Picacho Avenue and Fourth Street. The project would include the installation of the signals, lighting, signs, striping, advance warning signs, and ADA ramps.
The City’s matching funds would be provided through the Street Maintenance & Flood Control Fund. If the agreement is fully executed between the City and NMDOT, the award will be presented to Council for acceptance in the City’s 2022 fiscal year budget at a future Council meeting.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting is online at: https://lascruces.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=216.
Monday’s City Council meeting will be televised live on CLC-TV, Comcast Cable channel 20. The meeting will also be available online at clctv.com and at YouTube.com/clctv20.
Prior to the regular meeting, City Council will conduct a Closed Meeting at 10:30 a.m. Monday at City Hall. The Council will meet in closed session to discuss the regularly scheduled quarterly performance evaluation of City Manager Ifo Pili.