Corrales village councilors were presented with a preliminary feasibility study for using newly purchased properties and exploring revitalization opportunities in the downtown area before the council meeting on June 25.
Amy Bell, a principal landscape architect and certified arborist with Groundwork Studio, an Albuquerque-based landscape architecture and planning firm, presented the plan to the village council and residents. The study was completed at no cost to the village at the request of Corrales MainStreet, village administration and community members.Â
The properties examined in the study include the Gonzales property, the Anderson property, the Jones property and the old Wells Fargo building. The presentation highlighted community involvement, property design and planning and addressing parking concerns.
Bell made it clear that no solid decisions had been made about the properties by the village and there is a lot of work to be done.
According to Bell, the firm started by examining parking in the village due to resident concerns about insufficient parking during village events like the Harvest Festival and the Fourth of July parade.
The firm began by evaluating existing parking, identifying opportunities for expansion and facilitating safe pedestrian and cyclist access during events to reduce traffic and minimize conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. They also looked at the possibility of partnering with local businesses to use their parking during off-peak hours.
The study identified about 200 existing parking spaces, with an additional 300-360 spaces available on the new properties. Implementing shared parking agreements with local businesses could provide the community with a total of about 800 parking spaces.
Not all the councilors believed businesses would be willing to share their parking spots.
“If I had a business like Ex Novo, I’m not willing to share during an event, because I’m going to be open and I’m going to be selling whatever I have and I think getting some of these businesses to share the parking is going to be problematic because they’re going to be open at the same time we’re having events, unless it’s late at night,†Councilor Stuart Murray said.
The study also looked at the opportunity to add pedestrian trails between the village-owned properties.
The village may consider using the ditch near the Gonzales property for pedestrian access to the soccer field area. The study suggests making subtle improvements to the shoulder of Corrales Road, such as widening, leveling and adding crusher fines to the path, despite the road being a Department of Transportation right-of-way.
“I’ve told our representative about this to make it a little easier walking surface for people to get from the Gonzales property down to the soccer field area because we anticipate those will be the central part of the village,†Mayor James Fahey said.
There was also discussion about the Growers’ Market moving to the Anderson property to give it a more secure location and increase parking. There was also talk about adding a covered solar parking structure to the Growers’ Market.
“We don’t want to have permanent structures, particularly if we want to move the Growers’ Market, because they rely on plenty of space and they have a fluctuating, you know, vendor membership,†Fahey said.
In other business
During the regular council meeting, the village council approved the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP).
The main focus of the ICIP discussion was the inclusion of $18 million for the Sandoval County Regional Emergency Communications Center on the village’s list. The county asked that the village and other municipalities that will be covered by the new call center include the project on their lists for improvements
“Our (share of the total cost) will be much, much, much smaller,†Fahey said.
Councilor Mel Knight also expressed concern about the top 10 items on the list, noting the inclusion of five fire department related items and only one road improvement item.
Corrales Fire Chief Anthony Martinez addressed Knight’s concerns during the council meeting, citing an example of collaboration with Public Works Director Michael Chavez to align projects between their departments.
As an example, he said Chavez had paved Angel Road before the fire department could install water pipes under the road for the water tower even though it is on the ICIP list. This forced Martinez to look at easements for the pipes because he did not want to tear up the road and repave it.
“I respect you know your guys’ decisions. I just want you guys to hear what your department heads are trying to do with the limited funds and trying to not waste money,†Martinez said.
Get involved
The next Town Council meeting is at 6:30 p.m. July 23, at the Village of Corrales Council Chambers, 4342 Corrales Rd.
Any comments from the Corrales Comment about the proposed noise ordinance amendment that will allow bars and wedding venues playing loud amplified music without any restrictions from 8 am to 9 om Sun thru Thu and from 8 am to 10 üm on Fri and Sat.?