All city bond projects should be completed by end of 2022

City of Las Cruces staff said projects being paid for with general obligation bond funds approved by city voters in August 2018 should be completed by the end of calendar year 2022.

The projects, which total $35.6 million, include park improvements, sports complexes and two dog parks; a new animal services center; a new fire station No. 3; and hiking, biking and jogging trails.

Many of the projects have been delayed because of COVID-19, said City Public Works Department (PWD) Interim Director David Sedillo, adding that his Oct. 12 projects update to the city council had originally been scheduled for the end of March.

Here are the updates on each of the four questions approved by voters, as presented to city council by Sedillo, PWD Interim Deputy Director Tony Treviño and city Parks and Recreation Department Director Sonya Diaz:

• Question 1: Park improvements, dog parks and sports complexes ($16.9 million)

1) East Hadley Avenue Recreation Complex improvements ($4.36 million): notice to proceed was received Oct. 5; work will include concession stands, restrooms, crow’s nest, stucco repair and lighting at Magg, Harty and Paz ballfields; and irrigation, backflow-preventor and lighting at Ron Galla t-ball field.

2) Unidad Park playground rehab ($1.453 million), including a new splash pad and recirculating system and replacing wood pieces with composite. Construction drawings are 90 percent complete, the city held a second virtual public meeting on the project June 23 and the city Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) approved the project July 16.

3) Sports complexes and parks improvements ($2.227 million): notice to proceed was issued Oct. 5; the work includes picnic and playground improvements at Desert Trails, Young and Apodaca parks; tennis and pickleball courts at Young, Apodaca, Lions and Metro Verde parks; and basketball courts at Metro Verde, Four Hills, Hillrise, Cardon, Benavidez Community Center, Frank O’Brien Papen and Klein parks.

4) dog parks ($1.04 million) at Burn Lake and on Rinconada Boulevard were approved by PRAB Aug. 4 and construction drawings are 100 percent complete; 5) East Mesa Public Recreation Complex ($7.87 million): the bond question included a 10-acre site, soccer, football and multi-use fields, a baseball complex and eight pickleball courts. A full master plan for the project will include a second GO bond election to fund roadway and utility improvements. Phase one construction drawings are expected to be completed next January.

• Question 2: New animal services center ($9.8 million): Construction drawings are 100 percent complete, to be located on Bataan Memorial Highway. A construction RFP is being prepared. Solar panels will be included.
• Question 3: New fire station No. 3 ($6.2 million): Construction drawings are 100 percent complete for the new fire station, which will be located adjacent to the existing fire station at 201 E. Picacho Ave. Construction bids were received Aug. 18.
• Question 4: Walking, jogging and biking trails ($2.7 million): These projects include design and construction of Armijo Lateral, Southwest City Loop (Mesilla Drain) and Las Cruces trails. Project drawings are 60 percent complete.

Check the status of GO bond projects at www.las-cruces.org/GoBondProjects.

Contact the city Public Works Department at 575-541-3333 or clcengage@las-cruces.org.