Las Cruces lays out roughly $47 million in state capital requests, eyes federal earmarks

Las Cruces city leaders presented their 2026 state and federal priorities on Nov. 10 as they finalize the city’s capital improvements program and identify projects for federal earmark requests.

City Clerk Christine Rivera opened the session by walking council through state priorities developed with department input and consultation with the New Mexico Municipal League and the city’s lobbyists. “Together, these projects will add a total of 386 rental units to the community and we're asking this year for $6,000,000,” Rivera said when listing affordable‑housing requests tied to Paseos Verdes and Peach Tree phase 2. Rivera also listed other state requests, including $6,000,000 for improvements at Yonge Park, $10,000,000 for phase 1 of the Branigan Library renovation and expansion, $3,000,000 for continued build‑out of East Mesa Public Recreational Complex, $1,500,000 to start a joint city‑county police driving track, $500,000 for Klein Park work and $500,000 for fire station security upgrades; the city told council the subtotal of the projects…