Legislative Projects & Priorities

While our first responders are caring for our community, we have had several unfortunate events recently that highlight a lack of security measures that put our personnel at risk. This $500,000 funding will improve firefighter safety and reduce negative events such as attempted attacks, on premise suicides, and vehicle thefts.

This funding will provide access controls, external monitoring, and security fencing for Las Cruces fire stations.

The Real Time Crime Center provides critical support to officers actively responding to calls for service by facilitating swift suspect
identification and fostering real-time situational awareness. It allows LCPD to address immediate challenges and creates a safer,
more secure community.

This year’s $3 million ask builds on previous funding of $1.8 million that was used to launch this project in Las Cruces. This funding will ensure the Real Time Crime Center keeps pace with continued city growth, by upgrading network devices, strengthening interoperability with Traffic Engineering, and master planning for future locations.

Las Cruces has been building out the East Mesa Public Recreation Complex in phases since the 2018 GO Bond provided initial funding. This complex will serve as a sister facility to the Hadley Sports Complex and provide the third largest community-sized park in the city. The East Mesa Public Recreation Complex provides a family-friendly environment for events and sports
competitions.

This $3 million ask will build on the $18 million that came from GO Bond, ARPA, and previous legislative appropriations. With
this funding, the East Mesa Public Recreation Complex will be more than halfway funded. This investment will support health and wellness, encourage youth and community development, and deepen educational and institutional partnerships.

Aging parks in the Las Cruces community continue to serve our residents. Several parks are over 30 years old and are in need of
significant improvements, updates and renovations. Amenities such as improved accessibility, wayfinding and shade structures
make the community parks a place where everyone is welcome.

This $6 million request will add to the $3.3 million in funding that has already been secured towards the overall $15 million needed.
Young Park serves over 20,000 people and hosts community events such as Music and Movies in the Park as well as the Renaissance Faire. This investment will create healthier communities, stronger youth and family support, and enduring economic and social returns.

Klein Park is a significant park in the heart of our community on the east side of downtown. Families and neighbors gather at this park on a regular basis to participate in recreational activities and events. The park needs several upgrades to continue serving our residents, including construction of a multi-use plaza, development of a sculpture garden, and expansion of turf area for increased recreational use.
This $150,000 request will enhance social gathering and community building, strengthen cultural and civic engagement, improve accessibility and comfort, and deliver a low-cost, high impact investment for the community.

This historic building has served Las Cruces for many years and is now in need of upgrades. On the west side of our downtown, the
WIA building overlooks one of our most memorable parks and provides a gathering space for community members.

This $700,000 funding will allow for much needed improvements such as exterior wall stucco, rehabilitation of wood architecture
and structural elements, roof replacement, and landscaping enhancements. These improvements will bring this historic building into the future where it can continue to serve neighbors and families in Las Cruces.

Built in 1979 and last renovated in 1989, the current 44,266-squarefoot library serves as the main branch for Las Cruces Public Libraries and serves residents throughout Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. The Branigan Library welcomed 275,000 visits last year and served over 50,000 cardholders. Programs range from story time for little ones to book clubs for adults and STEAM programs for teens, with nearly 14,000 attendees last year.

This year’s $10 million request will be added to other funding sources, such as TIDD funding, last year’s legislative allocation of $970,000 that contributed to the final planning documents, and potential funds from a Capital Improvements Fund recently approved by Las Cruces voters. This project will allow Branigan Library to continue to make significant contributions to the learning and literacy of Las Cruces residents, in a modern facility with improved ADA accessibility, expanded space for materials and operations, and increased security. 

Las Cruces provides senior meals at a handful of locations in the City. The Eastside Community Center is located in a neighborhood with many vulnerable seniors and community members. Its convenient location provides seniors with access to healthy nutrition and social opportunities close to home. a

This $775,000 request will allow the City to purchase the building and make needed upgrades to the senior nutrition hub. Ensuring that this location can continue providing services into the future will expand recreation and social opportunities for Las Cruces seniors, enhance the delivery driver program for homebound seniors, and create an ongoing supportive environment for our community.

The City of Las Cruces has a need for approximately 5,600 additional rental units. This funding will support the completion of several affordable housing projects adding a total of 386 units to the community.

The current request for $6 million will support previous funding from GO Bond and legislative capital outlay of $15.7 million.
Affordable housing will enhance public health and safety, strengthen neighborhoods, support workforce stability, and boost the local economy.

Mesa Grande will be a north-south principal arterial roadway providing a new connection between Highway 70, Interstate 25, and Interstate 10. There will also be extended east-west connections on major roads like Northrise Dr, Sonoma Springs Ave, and Lohman Ave. The proposed roadway will consist of a four lane roadway approximately 5.7 miles in length and will include sidewalks and accommodations for transit service.

This request of $15 million will be combined with designated federal funding of $61 million to create an alternate route for the
community. The Mesa Grande expansion will improve access, establish a safe multimodal corridor, and promote sustainable economic development opportunities.

Las Cruces Utilities is requesting support to continue removing septic systems located within 1,000 feet of municipal water wells. This funding will support ongoing projects in Brittany Estates and Estados Serenos. With new municipal wells costing the city approximately $3.5 million each, this investment will help avoid the unexpected shutdown of wells due to unsafe nitrate levels caused by aging septic systems.

This year’s request of $1 million will continue the investment of legislative funding of $5.5 million over the last 5 years. This investment will protect groundwater and the aquifer, safeguarding access to safe drinking water for the community.

Near the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope (MVCOH) and the new Amador Crossing Housing Complex, Amador Avenue is a high-pedestrianuse area serving individuals experiencing homelessness. This area sees significant pedestrian and bicycle activity due to its proximity to social services and housing facilities. As part of the MVCOH master plan implementation, adding a bus pullout lane and turning lanes will improve public transit accessibility and reduce congestion for vehicles to ensure smoother and safer traffic flow. Installing pedestrian beacons on Amador Avenue and Valley Drive will increase pedestrian visibility and safety at crossings. Median enhancements will further regulate traffic flow and provide safe waiting zones for pedestrians crossing busy roads. Reducing speed limits along Amador Avenue and implementing calming measures will accommodate high pedestrian and cyclist traffic while minimizing risks in this multi-use corridor.

This $2 million ask will add to the $590,000 already funded with legislative capital outlay. This project will improve pedestrian safety, expand service delivery, and optimize traffic flow, keeping our most vulnerable population’s safety in mind.

This new kitchen expansion will create a 17,000 square foot shared space to house the soup kitchen and create a commercial space for food production open to renters, a training facility, and an emergency kitchen space for the City of Las Cruces.

This $4 million request will be added to previous funding of $6 million to continue with this crucial project serving vulnerable populations in the community. This new headquarters for El Caldito Soup Kitchen will provide enhanced meal services, emergency preparedness support, and economic opportunities.

Continuing construction of this regional park, including multi-purpose fields, courts, and concessions  

The East Mesa Public Recreation Complex serves as a sister facility to the Hadley Sports Complex and will accommodate tournaments and league games.  

This Complex is the City’s third community-sized park. Like Young Park and Apodaca Park, it will provide space for community events and family gatherings. Parks are essential to promoting health and wellness, offering programming and educational activities that support childhood development, and creating economic opportunity. Parks unite people and strengthen communities.  

Funding Received: $700,000

Thank you so much to Rep. Sarah Silva and to Rep. Joanne Ferrary for your support in allowing us to continue to build on this park in this rapidly growing area.

SWAT response vehicles to assist New Mexico State Police in regional and statewide critical incident responses  

The Las Cruces Police Department has been tasked to assist New Mexico State Police personnel with tactical response throughout Southern New Mexico and, increasingly, the entire state.  

Since more than half of all SWAT callouts have been outside of Las Cruces city limits, additional vehicles will ensure the safety of residents throughout the state through critical incident response without sacrificing the ability of the Las Cruces Police Department to respond to needs within the City.  

This request helps to make SWAT response vehicles available to support New Mexico State Police callouts.  

Funding Received: $620,000

Thank you so much to Rep.Angelica Rubio, Sen. Crystal Brantley and Sen. Joseph Cervantes for your support in allowing out highly trained team to assist other agencies and to ensure the safety of the ones who are called to serve and protect.

The Mesilla Valley Community of Hope Complex supports housing, relieves food insecurity and sustains valuable agencies to alleviate the burdens of the unhoused.

Funding Received: $590,000

Thank you so much to Rep. Angelica Rubio, Rep. Joanne Ferrary and Rep. Sarah Silva for making this project a priority.

MONAS inspires curiosity about the sciences, encourages learning, and illustrates the importance of the natural environment of the Chihuahuan Desert  

MONAS is the highest attended of the four City museums, attracting over 62,000 visitors last year. In addition to the science exhibits and live animals, the museum invites local scientists, educators, and adventurers to share their vast knowledge at programs and events. All of these programs are offered with free admission.  

This redesign project will allocate funding to design and construct enhancements to MONAS. Plans include leveling the museum’s floors, improvements to the animal handling areas, engaging displays of animals, and better ADA accessibility to the viewing areas.  

Funding Received: $450,000

Thank you so much to Sen. William Soules, Rep. Nathan Small and Rep. Angelica Rubio for placing an importance on learning.

Funding to support Active Transportation Plan projects and initiatives  

Active Transportation is any human-powered form of transportation including walking, bicycling, and wheelchair rolling. Residents of Las Cruces will benefit from increased safety, comfort, and convenience of improved Active Transportation facilities. People with low incomes are more likely to rely on Roadrunner Transit as their primary form of transportation and are also more likely to live in areas with poor conditions for walking and cycling.  

Improved Active Transportation can enhance safety for the community’s most vulnerable road users. Strengthening Active Transportation networks encourages healthier lifestyles. Reduced dependency on automobiles leads to better air quality, less traffic noise, and fewer traffic crashes. Furthermore, improving Active Transportation networks can attract and retain a robust workforce.  

The funds will be used for prioritized projects identified in the Active Transportation Plan, including sidewalk gaps & improvements, ADA improvements, transit shade structures, street lighting, intersection improvements, bicycle facilities, road improvements, and street trees. Active Transportation projects have been partially funded.

Funding Received: $400,000

Thank you so much to Rep. Joanne Ferrary and Rep. Angelica Rubio for understanding that mobility is a quality of life enhancement.

Improvements to ADA accessibility at City Hall and Municipal Court  

As the City continues to strive to meet the needs of all its residents, updates are needed in two high-traffic municipal facilities. Las Cruces City Hall and Las Cruces Municipal Court are both in need of updates to meet current ADA compliance standards so that all people, including those with disabilities, can adequately access City facilities.  

To meet the equal-access mandates of the ADA, both facilities will receive improvements to handicapped parking, ramps, doors, handrails, and open floor spaces with wheelchair accessibility. This funding will be added onto funding already provided by the City. The City will be hiring design professionals to address current needs.  

Funding Received: $300,000

Thank you so much to Rep. Angelica Rubio and Rep. Joanne Ferrary. You are helping to insure equality and equity for our residents and guests.

Completion of the installation of wastewater sewer system to eliminate use of septic tanks  

The City of Las Cruces is requesting funding to continue efforts to remove septic systems located within 1,000 feet of municipal water wells, ensuring residents have access to a clean and safe drinking water supply. This funding will support ongoing projects in Brittany Estates and Estados Serenos. With new municipal wells costing the city approximately $3.5 million each, this investment will help avoid the unexpected shutdown of wells due to unsafe nitrate levels caused by aging septic systems.  

Funding Received: $258,000

Thank you so much to Sen. William Soules and Rep. Nathan Small. These changes ensure continued safe water services.

Upgrade and install new street lighting to increase visibility and safety for all modes of transportation along City rights-of-way  

Upgraded, modern lights can also conserve energy and reduce maintenance requirements. Well-lit streets and walkways are important to the safety and usability of public access routes for City residents.  

The City plans to install modern, low-energy lighting at closer intervals to close gaps and increase area coverage. To improve existing intelligent street lighting, Smart nodes will also be installed for a more effective and efficient program to improve existing intelligent street lighting. The street lighting project has been partially funded and needs gap funding to complete the project.  

Funding Received: $200,000

Thank you so much to Rep. Nathan Small and Rep. Angelica Rubio for helping to make our streets more safe and with less impact to the environment.

Enhance park lighting to improve safety and reduce energy and maintenance costs  

Las Cruces has many parks built between 1984 and 1996, ranging in size, such as Ponderosa Park at less than 0.7 acres, to larger community parks like Apodaca Park at 24.5 acres, many of which need improved lighting.  

Community parks serve the entire region and host popular events such as the Renaissance Faire or Music in the Park. Neighborhood parks are intended to serve people within a half-mile walking distance.  

Legacy Parks serve as key social, recreational, and greenspaces for the entire community. Lighting improvements are one component of the Legacy Park improvement program intended to increase safety and allow people to recreate and visit for extended hours. 

Funding Received: $100,000

Thank you so much Rep. Angelica Rubio. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Improving charging infrastructure for the City’s electric buses

To reduce emissions and improve electric vehicle performance, inductive charging is needed at the Mesilla Valley Intermodal Transit Terminal (MVITT). Currently, City buses cannot meet the full day duty cycle on one charge. With inductive opportunity charging, the bus will pull into an assigned bay and the in-ground charger will link up with the charge pad mounted underneath the bus to begin charging the batteries.

Since nearly all buses come to the MVITT every hour and have a dwell time of seven minutes, the City will gain 2KW per minute of charge, or 14 KW per hour. This will extend the battery range to last the entire duty cycle from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm and improve operational efficiency by eliminating the need to swap out electric buses for diesel buses mid shift. Additional funding has been provided by the City.

Funding Received: $100,000

Thank you so much Rep. Joanne Ferrary. This means a lot to our residents who rely on public transportation.

Facility for the Fire Department’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare program and LIGHT Mental Crisis Response  

Las Cruces Fire Department runs the LIGHT program, a mobile mental health crisis response team linked to the 911 system. The team aims to lessen the incidence of grief, harm, and trauma by offering trauma-informed care during mental health crises. The City has established a mental health crisis response team made up of a Licensed Master Social Worker and Firefighter Paramedic. Las Cruces first responders handle over 1,000 mental health-related calls and 850 welfare checks and suicide responses annually. The proposed 7,610-square-foot facility will include offices, meeting spaces, patient evaluation areas, team member respite spaces, and storage for equipment and vehicles. The project received $3 million from Senator Heinrich, $500,000 from the City, and $2.5 million from New Mexico Legislators. 

Funding Received: $5,500,000

Thank you so much to Governor Lujan Grisham, Sen. Jeff Steinborn, Sen. Joseph Cervantes, Rep. Sarah Silva, Rep. Angelica Rubio, and Rep. Joanne Ferrary. This funding ensure the continuation of much needed services and programs in our City.

To establish a Real Time Crime Center for the Las Cruces Police Department  

In the last five years, Las Cruces has witnessed a surge in criminal activities. Year-to-date comparisons of crime from 2023 to 2024 show that total violent crime increase by almost 30%. This trend has prompted the LCPD to recognize the urgent need for enhanced operational capabilities, especially in the realm of real time intelligence.  

A Real Time Crime Center will provide critical support to officers actively responding to calls for service, facilitating swift suspect identification and fostering real-time situational awareness.  

The Real Time Crime Center has been partially funded and needs gap funding to complete the project.  

Funding Received: $1,800,000

Thank you so much to Sen. Jeff Steinborn, Sen. Joseph Cervantes, Sen. Crystal Brantley, Rep. Nathan Small and Rep. Joanne Ferrary.

Housing project to provide supportive housing, on-site services, and access to agencies.  

Amador Crossing is a new housing solution for people experiencing homelessness in Las Cruces. The City owns a 4.8 acre site located at 1101 W. Amador Avenue and is proposing the development of a 50-unit special needs housing project using state and local funds. This project will serve those community members at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.  

This new construction project will be two-stories and will include a mix of studios and one-bedroom units. The primary population will be small households in need of housing with access to on-site services. Amador Crossing has been partially funded and needs gap funding to complete the project.  

Funding Received: $1,900,000

Thank you so much to Sen. Jeff Steinborn, Sen. William Soules, Sen. Carrie Hamblen, and Rep. Joanne Ferrary.

Renovation and expansion to expand the library’s lobby and improve ADA accessibility  

Built in 1979 and last renovated in 1999, the current 44,266-square-foot library serves as the main branch for Las Cruces Public Libraries. The Branigan Library welcomed close to 200,000 visits last year and served over 50,000 individuals with library cards. Branigan Library offers a computer lab that provided 19,714 use sessions totaling 803,623 minutes used! Programs offered in the Branigan Library’s meeting rooms range from story time for little ones to book clubs for adults and STEAM programs for teens, with nearly 14,000 attendees last year.  

While Branigan Library is making significant contributions to the learning and literacy of Las Cruces residents, this facility is bursting at the seams due to the City’s population which has doubled since its last expansion. The ground floor of the library and lobby area need an expansion to improve ADA accessibility, more space for materials and operations, and increased security. Funding will support the design and construction of these improvements, creating a state-of-the-art library that offers enhanced services to the entire community. The City has committed some TIDD funding to this project. 

Funding Received: $970,000

Thank you so much to Sen. Jeff Steinborn, Sen. William Soules, Sen. Carrie Hamblen, Rep. Sarah Silva, Rep. Angelica Rubio, Rep. Joanne Ferrary, and Rep. Micaela Cadena.

Valley View Park renovations and trail improvements in the second Lift Up area.

Thank you to Representative Angelica Rubio for allocating $100,000 to this project.

Construction of the new Fire Station #9.

Thank you to Representative Joanne Ferrary for allocating $100,000 to this project.

Facility for the Las Cruces Fire Department’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare program and Project L.I.G.H.T. Mental Crisis Response.

Thank you Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Senator Bill Soules, Representative Angelica Rubio, and Representative Nathan Small for allocating $2.5 million to this project.