Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Consultants present Phase I findings: residents cite traffic and desire for village center
Summary
Consultants from Better City LLC told the Los Lunas council that more than 500 people responded to a community survey; top concerns included traffic and the desire for a Main Street village center. The study outlines approaches to manage or shape growth and recommends incentives and consistent implementation.
Victoria Archuleta, senior economic developer for the Village of Los Lunas, introduced a Phase I overview of a strategic economic development plan developed with Better City LLC. The firm was selected after an RFP that drew 22 responses, and the village contracted with Better City on Sept. 4, 2025.
"The feedback was amazing with over 500 people participating in the community survey," said Jason, a consultant with Better City LLC, summarizing early findings. He said traffic concerns ranked highest among respondents, followed by interest in creating a village center with shops, restaurants and events. The survey also highlighted retail leakage: dining and grocery shopping were common reasons residents left the village for purchases.
Jason described two strategic approaches summarized for the council as "manage the wave" and "shape the wave." Managing growth, he said, would maintain economic momentum with fewer regulatory changes; shaping growth would require funding, cross-department coordination and sustained implementation but could better target quality-of-life outcomes. Councilman Gino Romero asked why a dedicated economic development approach was necessary if many challenges were already known; Jason responded that the plan provides data validation and an intentional path to implement change rather than relying on ad-hoc decisions.
Mayor Charles Griego asked what incentives or steps could help realize a Main Street vision; Jason suggested targeted incentives and staffing adjustments but the minutes note that poor sound quality prevented a clear capture of the remainder of the presentation. The Phase I findings provide the council with initial priorities and community input to inform later action items and possible policy recommendations.
