Las Cruces City Council reviewed the status of current GO Bond projects during a working session on Monday.
The city of Las Cruces is making progress on current General Obligation Bond projects with over 40% of the total construction work completed.
While the city originally believed that more than 46% of progress was already complete, Public Works Director David Sedillo expects the void to be closed within the next quarter. One project nearing completion is a replacement facility for the No. 3 Fire Station on N. Valley Drive, according to Sedillo.
“This project is about 63% complete. The projected completion date is January 20, 2022, ”said Sedillo. “Now that the shell is finished, they’re working on plastering the building. There are many indoor facilities such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, plumbing. We are still working on all of these and are about to be completed. ”
Sedillo estimates that all current GO Bond projects will be completed by the end of 2022. This includes the new $ 9.8 million animal services center, which is expected to be completed in September.
Mayor Ken Miyagishima says he is proud of the way city workers have kept projects going during the pandemic.
“I have to admit it was a bit challenging there and you didn’t stop, you just kept working,” said Miyagishima. “And I remember that and that was really important to me.”
The city has already started work on a GO Bond project, East Hadley Ave. Recreational Complex, completed. Councilor Tessa Abeyta-Stuve says the city must benefit from the successful completion of the GO Bond projects with public information campaigns.
“When we complete these projects, we want to make sure that they are very visible and very public,” said Abeyta-Stuve. “And when we have this success that things are done early, we show it. We need the community to really support these projects.”
During the working session, the city council also discussed plans for future GO-Bond projects.
While the city is still in the process of determining exactly what these projects will be, Councilor Johana Bencomo says it will fight for affordable housing.
“I’m going to push for affordable housing projects in this next GO Bond cycle just because I think it’s the key, it’s a priority. We know our neighbors in Albuquerque did this, ”said Bencomo. “I wonder if we can tackle this GO Bond cycle to meet the city’s greatest challenges.”
If the current tax rate is maintained, the city will have $ 23 million available for GO Bond projects after the 2022 election cycle. Mayor Miyagishima said he did not want to see a tax hike.
“There’s a lot to be said when [it’s] If you vote for this GO bond, it won’t raise your taxes, ”Miyagishima said. “This is a great opportunity to explain and let residents know that we are not going to increase it and still get $ 23 million from it.”
City councilor Abeyta-Stuve also advocates a constant tax rate and cites the ongoing pandemic as one reason why residents should not be burdened with higher taxes.
“Given the past two years and the climate and the way people have fought during that time, I don’t necessarily think it’s a smart plan to increase something, although I know we could definitely use it and it There are so many projects “that we want to see,” said Abeyta-Stuve. “Maybe after this other cycle it would be something to think about.”
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