Village Center Project

The Village Center Project, encompassing just over twelve acres on the southeast side of 4th Street and Osuna, is in development after 22 years of planning.The Project came about initially to address some key challenges identified in the 2010 Master Plan (developed and adopted in 2000) and that still exist today, namely an aging population, high property values, and limited housing options for younger people to remain/move into Los Ranchos.

A mixed-use development at 4th and Osuna –one of the most the most urbanized, heavily trafficked areas in the Village was seen as the perfect place to build on that urban energy with some moderate densification and more affordable housing options for young adults, young families, and seniors.

Following is a brief chronology describing the intensity of planning that has brought The Village Center Project to the current point of development.

2002

Under Mayor John Hooker, the Village of Los Ranchos created the Village Center Zone and adopted it into law in 2003. This Zone was designated to allow for a more unique development pattern that included increased density, new housing options, economic vibrancy, and diversity.

2007

Under Mayor Larry P. Abraham, the village outlined the VC Zone project and declared the area a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA). It began acquiring property in the designated zone and continued to do so for the next 10 years.

2018

On March 14, 2018, the Village adopted Resolution No. 2018-3-2, the MRA Plan, which allowed for a public private partnership to develop the project. The New Mexico Metropolitan Redevelopment Code grants powers to the Village to promote developments within blighted areas and authorizes the Village to rehabilitate and redevelop the area for public health, safety, and welfare.

On April 16, 2018, after adoption of the Plan, the Village issued Request For Proposals (RFP) to identify and select an experienced developer with the required finances to acquire, consolidate, design, develop, operate, and own the Village Center Metropolitan Redevelopment Area.

Palindrome Communities, LLC submitted the successful proposal, in part because of their unique approach to maintaining the look and feel of Los Ranchos, as well as their addition of an economic/small business development focus. The highlights were the use of an acequia in the design, a community garden, and a center for business development, among other features, such as housing, retail, and micro-retail.

2019

In fulfillment of a requirement of the RFP, Palindrome worked with Applied Economics to provide an estimate of the economic returns from the project. The study showed a total annual economic impact of $15.7 million on the county’s economy each year, or $145.7 million over the first ten years of operations. Approximately 90 percent of these impacts would be captured in the Village of Los Ranchos.

2020

In October of 2020, under Mayor Donald T. Lopez, the Village approved a Development Agreement with Palindrome to build a mixed use, residential and commercial development on the designated Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan area.

2022

In June of 2022, with financing secured and plans in place, Palindrome began the process of demolition of the existing buildings, beginning with the old storage facility.