The public is invited to participate in the City of Las Cruces’ Community Development department’s Downtown Master Plan Charrette February 16-19.
The purpose of the charrette is to gather public and stakeholder input in order to update the downtown master plan. The current plan has been used since 2004 to guide all of the downtown activities and projects to date. The new plan will set a “road map” for the next ten years. More information available at the project website, lascrucesdowntownplan.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Opening Presentation and Workshop.
A brief history of the Downtown Master Plan process, introduction to plans for the week and a facilitated discussion of hopes and concerns for specific places in the Downtown.
Location: Shannon Room
Branigan Cultural Center
501 North Main St.
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Focused Topic: Main Street Retail Success + The Downtown Economy.
National retail consultant Bob Gibbs presents a two-part talk on the critical keys to urban retail success and how we can best employ them Downtown. Attend one or both segments.
· Segment 1, 10-11 a.m.: Theory and tools for creating successful urban retail.
· Segment 2, 11 a.m. – noon: Emerging data on retail in downtown Las Cruces, followed by a facilitated, results-oriented conversation.
Location: City Council Chambers
Las Cruces City Hall
700 North Main St.
Focused Topic: The Neighborhood, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Key questions for discussion: In what ways can design contribute to quality of life for residents, businesses and cultural institutions in the Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods? How can we strengthen the ties to the Mesquite and Alamdea/Depot neighborhoods? What concerns do neighbors have regarding Downtown?
Location: MoNas Classroom
Branigan Cultural Center
501 North Main St.
Thursday, Feb. 18, 10-11 a.m.
Open House: Pin-up, A review and critique of work in progress.
Location: Shannon Room
Branigan Cultural Center
501 North Main St.
Focused Topic: Walkability + Connectivity, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Veteran transportation engineer and walkability guru Peter Swift presents a two-part talk on connectivity and transportation planning and how they can be leveraged for Downtown revitalization. Attend one or both segments.
· Segment 1, 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Keys to enhancing walkability that can be applied to any neighborhood citywide.
· Segment 2, 2:30-3:30 p.m.: A quick look at connecting downtown Las Cruces, internally and to our adjacent historic neighborhoods (Mesquite and Alameda/Depot), followed by a facilitated conversation on how we can plan for cars, bikes and pedestrians to support our ambitions for continuing Downtown revitalization.
Location: City Council Chambers
Las Cruces City Hall
700 North Main St.
Friday, February 19, 6 – 7 p.m.
Concluding Presentation & Comments
A wrap-up of the week’s work, with community review.
Location: Shannon Room
Branigan Cultural Center
501 North Main St.
For more information contact Andy Hume, Downtown Coordinator, at 575/541-3048 or ahume@las-cruces.org.