Development Strategy

Mission & Development Strategy

The Mission of Las Cruces Community Partners is to bring together local, regional and national professionals to facilitate and nurture the necessary public and private partnerships to implement the shared vision for Downtown/Main Street and other strategic community projects.

We will accomplish this by:

• Building strategic partnerships with the City of Las Cruces, Downtown Las Cruces
• Partnership, building owners, neighborhood associates and other key stakeholders
• Building consensus with all stakeholders on the vision and plan for Downtown/Main Street
• Obtaining grants and funding for research and feasibility studies required to attract private capital
• Attracting private capital, investors and entrepreneurs to initial specific projects
• Recruiting the best and the brightest consultants and partners
• Facilitating charrettes and public meetings to allow for public input and participation

Vision

We envision a dynamic, active city center that melds residential, office, retail, restaurant, entertainment and civic components to create a true sense of place, architectural ambience, cultural and historic interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow. We envision creating a true live/work/play environment to enhance walkability and connections to the adjacent historic neighborhoods and embrace Smart Growth principles in the overall downtown fabric. Architectural designs will show a genuine respect for the environment, for people, and for the connections to our history. The projects will be designed by people, for people, now and for generations to come.

Goals

1. Develop Vision and Mission with the City, DLCP and stakeholders
2. Develop guidelines for new development
3. Creation of a 24-hour live/work/play environment
4. Assist with development of privately held parcels
5. Bring private sector investment and resources
6. Build on the significant work already in place by the City, DLCP and stakeholders
7. Bring maximum value to City owned property
8. Leverage private development funds to maximize value of public investment
9. Develop robust strategic relationship with DLCP
10. Solicit input from historic neighborhoods
11. Create opportunities for inclusive, hands-on design charrettes to foster a Sense of Place and of Community
12. Identify opportunities for mixed use retail/entertainment/residential projects
13. Develop a model of sustainable development in accord with the SmartCode developed by PlaceMakers
14. Update all financial/marketing/urban design plans based on established Goals and Objectives
15. Lock-in robust relationships with neighborhoods/citizens/NMSU/MVEDA and Chamber of Commerce
16. Bring DLCP into a primary relationship as a conduit for public input

Objectives

1. Re-establish Downtown as the dynamic heart of the City
2. Establish Downtown/Main Street as a key venue for community activities and events
3. Build on current success of the Farmers Craft Market
4. Create new jobs and economic development
5. Create a tourist and visitor attraction
6. Create a place where people want to be and live
7. Create a great place of national significance and prominence

Action Plan

1. Prepare strategy for the central Plaza and detailed action plan
2. Meet with key building owners
3. Meet with DLCP monthly
4. Gather existing research, reports, concepts, studies and resources into a central database to support preparation of final economic feasibility studies
5. Build local consensus for a mission, vision, plan and priorities working closely with the City and DLCP
6. Meet with key local public and private stakeholders to build a solid partnership
7. Obtain grants and funding for the necessary market research and feasibility studies required to obtain private capital for specific projects
8. Sponsor a series of charrettes and public meetings to obtain public input and comments
9. Develop design and planning criteria that include sustainability and Smart Growth principles that will be the touchstone for every project

Core Values

• Inclusiveness
• Community building
• Creating a Sense of Place
• Relationships
• Preservation of history, culture, community and relationships
• Sustainability
• Local participation
• Economic development
• Excellence
• Respect for the past, present and future stakeholders

Design Criteria

Sustainability and Smart Growth principles will be a touchstone for every project. We will build on the progress that the City has already achieved on the City Hall, Aquatic Center and Convention Center projects, so that Las Cruces will be a beacon of sustainable design concepts and ideas. Our projects will include innovation in energy efficiency, water recapture, recyclable materials, alternative energy systems and increased density.

We will create a true live/work/play environment to enhance walkability and connection to the adjacent historic neighborhoods, and will embrace Smart Growth principles in the overall Downtown fabric. Our designs will show a genuine respect for the environment, for people and for the connections to our history. Our projects will be designed by people, for people, now and for generations to come.

1. Places for public gathering and interaction
   • Plaza
   • Amphitheater
   • Sidewalk cafes
   • Courtyards
   • Main Street
2. Walkability
3. Ample parking
4. Connectedness
5. Historic themes
6. Human scale features
7. Sense of Place
8. Authentic architecture concepts that blend the past with the new