Affordable housing, public safety and parks projects underway with 2022 GO Bonds funding
The ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley last week signified the end of the general obligation bond projects approved by voters in 2018.
During a Las Cruces City Council work session on Monday, city staff presented an update on the four 2022 GO bond projects that voters approved ― $6 million for affordable housing, $9.8 million for new fire station, $4.9 million to the East Mesa Public Recreational Complex and $1.98 million for park improvements.
"We appreciate you all getting it done through all the challenges, whether it was from COVID or increases in prices, labor and supply chain," Mayor Ken Miyagishima said.
Affordable housing bonds could be sold in February
The City has yet to issue the $6 million affordable housing bond. Once sold, those funds will be added to the City's affordable housing trust fund to help plan, design, construct, acquire and preserve affordable housing as the City looks to address a shortage of 5,600 affordable rental units.
Affordable housing means a household is paying no more than 30% of its gross income for rent/mortgage and utilities.
The City hopes to create 300 affordable/attainable housing units by 2025. The $6 million Affordable Housing GO Bond could leverage up to $36.5 million in federal, state and private funds to add another 175 affordable housing units to the city, according to the City's website.
Unlike the other $17 million in municipal bonds that voters approved for capital projects throughout the City, the affordable housing bond is taxable so the City held off on its sale in order to avoid interest rates and taxes that might cannibalize the bond.
Las Cruces Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager Natalie Green said the housing investment strategy is currently in the public comment phase through mid-January. An affordable housing advisory committee will meet in January with the hope of establishing a recommendation for council to consider in February. Green anticipates a first bond ordinance reading in January with a second reading and approval in February and for bonds to be disbursed in March.
The City's housing pipeline includes three multifamily projects across the City that would total over 400 housing units that range from — multifamily apartments, single-family homes for first-time homebuyers and housing for seniors on fixed incomes, for instance.
In recent months, council approved $3 million in funding for an 80-unit senior rent restricted apartment complex and pledged another $6 million to help fund Phase II of the Peachtree Canyon Apartments — a multifamily apartment complex that will ultimately consist of 244 rental units at 7081 North Jornada Road and Peachtree Hills Road. Both projects should begin construction in 2024.
Fire Station No. 9 expected to begin construction in 2024
Public Works Deputy Director Tony Trevino provided updates on the other three projects.
Voters approved a $9.8 million bond in 2022 for a new fire station for central Las Cruces and Sonoma Ranch.
Trevino said the project will cost an estimated $13.2 million and that additional funding would come from the state.
"We are going to ask for additional funding from the state legislature," Trevino said.
Architecture and engineering services cost $723,000. Design development is 75% complete and Trevino said construction could be put out to bid in April of 2024 with an estimated 20 months of construction time.
La Llorona Park improvements could be put to bid in July 2024
La Llorona Park along the Rio Grande and Tellbrook Park south of the interstate interchange were chosen for improvements from the Parks and Recreation Department's master plan.
Trevino said design development for a restroom, amenities upgrade and trail repair at La Llorona Park is 60% complete and the next step is to start construction documents. The city is in permit discussions with the International Boundary and Water Commission for a revised permit for the area with the project going to bid in July 2024.
Any additional funding that is left over will be used for exercise equipment and equipment replacement at Tellbrook Park.
Construction ongoing at East Mesa Recreational Complex
Voters approved $4.9 million in 2022 for the next phase of the East Mesa Recreational Complex. The City has $6.9 million for this phase, with the extra $2 million coming from the State.
About $2.25 million of the new money is being spent on items from Phase 1, which Trevino said is 60% complete. Phase I includes ongoing installation of irrigation and land scaping and play equipment and shade structures for the 10-acre site.
There is $1.9 million toward the installation of Musco Lighting, which Trevino said is halfway complete with the installation of 23 light poles as of last week around the baseball fields, multiuse fields and pickleball courts. Trevino said there are over 700 tree plantings ongoing at the area and that grass sod has been laid down at the baseball, softball and multiuse fields.
The final $2.75 million is in the design phase. Wilson and Company was awarded the design contract and the design phase is 30% complete, Trevino said. The continuation will consist of two basketball courts, sand volleyball courts and concession stand and amenities.
Trevino said the cost of the entire park project is approximately $20 million, but will be open to the public at the conclusion of Phase II.
Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @jpgroves.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Affordable housing, public safety underway with 2022 GO Bonds funding
