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Bernalillo County Approves New Vision for Area Near South Valley Rail Runner Station Rail Runner Will Provide Focal Point for Mixed-use District Offering a Broad Range of Jobs, Housing Types and Destinations
(Bernalillo County, NM – November 25,
2009) –
With the New Mexico Rail Runner Express bringing a steady flow of
commuters in and out of the station at Rio Bravo and south Second
Street, the Bernalillo County / International Sunport Rail Runner
station is poised to play an important role in the future of the
South Valley. The Bernalillo County Commission last night
unanimously adopted the “Bernalillo County / International Sunport
Station Area Plan” which is designed to help the area transform into
a mixed-use area offering local and regional employment and retail
opportunities, housing, and other amenities.
“The Rail Runner introduces a range of new opportunities for the
South Valley”, says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the
Mid-Region Council of Governments. “In addition to providing a
much-needed transportation alternative for South Valley residents
with direct connections to Downtown and to Santa Fe, the Rail Runner
makes the area more attractive to high quality residential, retail
and office uses.
Achieving these new opportunities necessitates rethinking the
infrastructure investments in the area – basically, what roads are
built and how they are designed – what land uses are permitted by
the area’s zoning, and how the new buildings are designed.
The Station Area Plan defines these new directions and
indicates the County’s commitment to the new future for the area.”
“The Station Area Plan is the product of the efforts and cooperation
by business and property owners in the South Valley, Bernalillo
County, the Mid-Region Council of Governments, and residents who
live in the area. The
plan presents an exciting new future for the area” said Bernalillo
County Commissioner Art de la Cruz, whose district includes the land
covered by the plan.
The plan focuses on the area within a quarter-to-half-mile –
basically, walking distance – from the station.
The area’s large parcels of vacant land will provide a center
of neighborhood serving retail and employment space, which will be
designed to encourage walking to and from the Rail Runner and other
transit connections. The
plan brings with it an elective alternative zoning classification
that allows mixed uses, higher density, and development standards to
create a pedestrian environment.
The plan also defines specific improvements – such as
pedestrian and bike paths – that will help the station better serve
existing residents and businesses in the Mountain View neighborhood.
The planning effort was a collaborative effort by Bernalillo County
and the Mid-Region Council of Governments.
MRCOG has actively worked
with communities along the Rail Runner corridor to help identify
economic and land use opportunities near the Rail Runner station and
to plan for infrastructure and policy actions to help achieve the
visions for the areas. Contact:
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