Socorro community voices concerns over Arterial 1 project details at council meeting

The City Council of Socorro convened on July 3, 2025, to discuss pressing community concerns, particularly surrounding the controversial Arterial 1 project. The meeting highlighted significant tensions between residents and council members regarding the project's implications for local neighborhoods.

During the session, community member Rudy Clark expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the council, emphasizing the need for transparent communication moving forward. He noted that previous interactions had led to feelings of mistrust among residents, stemming from incomplete and misleading information about the project. Clark raised questions about the timeline for decision-making, the voting process, and the potential outcomes of the project, urging the council to prioritize community input.

Residents Lorenzo Minus and Rocio Martinez echoed Clark's sentiments, sharing personal stories about how the project could disrupt their lives and homes. Minus, who has lived on Sylvia Street for over 40 years, voiced concerns about the impact on his family, particularly regarding accessibility for his wife, who uses a wheelchair. Martinez passionately called for the council to reconsider the project, stating that the community's voice was clear in opposing it.

Chris Trujillo added a law enforcement perspective, warning that the project could facilitate drug trafficking through Socorro, further stressing the potential dangers it posed to the community. He urged the council to make decisions that would protect residents and preserve the integrity of the area.

In response to the public comments, the council acknowledged the concerns raised and indicated that they would research the implications of discontinuing the Arterial 1 project. The council emphasized their commitment to listening to community feedback and ensuring that future discussions would be more inclusive and transparent.

As the meeting concluded, the council reminded attendees of the upcoming July 4 celebrations, encouraging them to enjoy the holiday while also assuring them that their concerns would be taken into account in future deliberations. The council's next steps will involve further investigation into the project and continued dialogue with the community.