Alamogordo approves up to $1 million for Rad Retrocade to open downtown

The Alamogordo City Commission voted 7-0 on May 13 to approve ordinance 17-12, authorizing up to $1,000,000 in local economic development assistance for Rad Retrocade, a retro-themed arcade, restaurant and bar proposed for a vacant downtown building.

Supporters told the commission Rad Retrocade would help revive downtown by extending evening activity, providing jobs and anchoring neighboring businesses. "Our goal tonight is very simple, to show you that Alamogordo is ready, excited, and fully behind approving this business to come into our district," said Nolan Ojeda, executive director of Alamogordo Main Street, during a presentation that included several downtown business owners and residents.

Why it matters: City and Main Street presenters said Rad would leverage recent public investment downtown — Ojeda cited about $4,700,000 in state and municipal infrastructure work — and address a large vacant building. Proponents argued the business would fill a gap in family- and youth-oriented entertainment and create part-time and full-time positions that local high school and college students could use.

Details of the project and public comments Nolan Ojeda said the Rad Retrocade concept operates as an all-ages venue until the evening and then converts to a 21-plus environment; he said similar locations in Las Cruces and El Paso have drawn significant evening foot traffic. Ojeda said Rad projects 20 to 40 jobs based on its other locations and described the proposed space as roughly 9,000 square feet, with an initial estimate of about $2,000,000 to bring the building up to code ("estimated," Ojeda said).

Multiple downtown business owners and residents spoke in support. Trisha Roberts, who said she owns a Farmers Insurance agency on New York Avenue, urged commissioners to back the LITA application, saying the business mix downtown needs entertainment offerings to keep customers in the district later. Rachel Anderson, owner of Infinity Suites, said families and visitors would benefit and that Rad could host community events and tourism traffic. Youth speaker Cruz Hernandez said there is "nothing to do after hours," and younger residents would use an all-ages entertainment option near the high school.

Owner remarks and projections Alex Macias, owner of Rad Retrocade, described the chain's history in El Paso and Las Cruces and said the company expects to adapt the Alamogordo location to include the building's mezzanine and exhibit nostalgic décor. Macias provided conservative financial projections for the Alamogordo location and said the business could generate payroll and local spending; he told commissioners a $1,000,000 award would likely be repaid within four to five years under his projections. Macias estimated build-out and permitting would take about nine to 11 months from start to finish.

Cross-promotion and local coordination Commissioners and staff asked about competition with the nearby Fun Center and other entertainment providers. Macias said he has spoken with Fun Center leadership and emphasized cooperation; city staff told the commission cross-promotion requirements and coordination would be written into any local economic development agreement. During the meeting staff also described standard contract protections: the city may require a mortgage or surety bond, annual audits and periodic (staff indicated quarterly) reporting so the city can monitor performance and enforce repay/recapture provisions if necessary.

Permitting and other conditions Speakers discussed ancillary requirements for the project, including building rehabilitation, liquor licensing (Macias said he intends to obtain a full liquor license and acknowledged licenses are transferred or purchased on the market), and downtown construction schedules that could affect access during renovation. Macias told the commission he intends to keep the building's mezzanine and use it as part of the venue; the project would occupy the former Broadway Fashions/JCPenney building on New York Avenue, which Ojeda described as centrally located within walking distance of the high school.

Vote and next steps Commissioner Warren Robinson moved to approve funding; Commissioner Crystal Guthrie seconded. The motion passed 7-0. City staff indicated the approval begins the process of drafting the formal local economic development agreement and that the contract will specify reporting, cross-promotion and recapture terms.

The approval is a first-step action: the ordinance was advanced for publication and the city will work with Rad's owners on contracts, permitting and any required state or bilateral approvals before construction begins.