LAS CRUCES — The city has formally approved a master plan for the future development and expansion of the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.
The plan, which defines an “ultimate buildout” for the city-owned property at 999 West Amador Avenue, was approved unanimously at the Las Cruces City Council’s regular meeting Aug. 15.
The city contracted with the Las Cruces-based Huitt-Zollars, Inc. to create the draft plan alongside Architectural Research Consultants, Inc. and Real Estate Advisors. Along with the master plan, an evaluation of the Community of Hope campus’ facilities and recommendations for its management structure were done.
The groups recommended a conceptual site plan, amendments to leases and subleases, an improved maintenance request process, full-time dedicated maintenance staff and new infrastructure and facilities. An assessment conducted by the planning team revealed the Community of Hope campus is badly in need of “major renovations” and capital improvements.
The MVCH is an alliance of nonprofits which assists people who are unhoused or housing insecure, and its campus includes Camp Hope, a transitional community with temporary shelter for the unhoused; Amador Health Center, El Caldito Soup Kitchen, Jardín de Los Niños, a child daycare service; and Casa de Peregrinos, a food bank.
Amador Health, Jardín, El Caldito and CdP all sublease their spaces from MVCH, which serves as the lead agency. The city-owned land is leased by MVCH.
On June 6, the plan was reviewed and approved by the city’s Development Review Committee, a workgroup consisting of representatives from the Las Cruces Public Works Department, Community Development Department, Las Cruces Utilities, Las Cruces Fire Department, Facilities, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Parks and Recreation Department and Transit.
The master planning group identified $26.1 million in capital improvements that could take place at the campus over the next five years and beyond, including HVAC system improvement, landscaping, erosion control and accessibility for people with disabilities.
“Our goal is to begin to really beautify the campus, which should have been done a long time ago,” said Lorenzo Alba, the executive director of CdP.
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Michael McDevitt is a city and county government reporter for the Sun News. He can be reached at 575-202-3205, [email protected] or @MikeMcDTweets on Twitter.
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