Santa Fe panel approves Midtown redevelopment area proposal led by Mayor Weber

The Santa Fe City Council's Quality of Life Committee convened on April 2, 2025, to discuss a significant step in the Midtown Local Innovation Corridor's redevelopment process. Mayor Alan Weber, along with Councilors Jamie Cassatt and Amanda Chavez, sponsored a resolution aimed at designating a portion of the Midtown area as a metropolitan redevelopment zone. This designation is crucial for unlocking funding and resources to revitalize the area, which has been identified as needing economic development support.

Carly Vendetti, the asset development manager for the Metropolitan Development Agency, presented the proposal, emphasizing that the designation is the first step in a multi-phase process. The committee aims to address deteriorating infrastructure and promote economic growth through a structured redevelopment plan. The area in question aligns closely with existing commercial zones, excluding certain residential properties to focus on commercial revitalization first.

During the meeting, Councilor Garcia raised concerns about the exclusion of the Trey Santos Apartments, which provide affordable housing. Vendetti explained that the decision to separate residential discussions from commercial redevelopment was intentional, allowing for more focused community engagement on housing issues in future planning efforts.

Another point of discussion was the potential inclusion of Franklin Miles Park in the redevelopment area. Councilor Garcia suggested that designating the park could facilitate much-needed improvements. The committee agreed to explore the possibility of amending the resolution to include the park in the redevelopment boundaries.

The committee also touched on the financial mechanisms available for redevelopment, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Districts (TIDs), which could provide additional funding for community projects without raising taxes.

Looking ahead, the committee plans to present the resolution to the governing body by the end of April, with hopes of advancing the redevelopment plan further by late 2025. This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents through strategic urban planning and community engagement.