Santa Fe moves forward with Midtown site sale and lease for development parcels

The Santa Fe City Council has taken a significant step towards revitalizing the Midtown area by approving the announcement of the sale or lease of several parcels of land during their recent Governing Body Committee meeting. This decision, presented by Daniel Hernandez, Director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, aligns with the community development plan and a resolution passed in 2021, which mandates governing body approval for the disposition of public property.

The Midtown site, encompassing 64 acres, is poised for transformation into a mixed-use urban center that will feature a blend of arts, culture, and economic development. The plan emphasizes preserving key civic institutions, such as the visual arts center and the Garson Performing Arts Theater, while also fostering job creation in the film and multimedia sectors.

Hernandez highlighted that eight of the 22 large tracts at Midtown are now available for sale or lease, with 39 acres already under contract or in predevelopment. This includes ongoing projects like the Art House residential development and plans for film production facilities, which are expected to be completed in time for the upcoming Santa Fe International Film Festival.

The council's approval marks a crucial milestone in the redevelopment process, which has seen extensive groundwork in public infrastructure and planning since the master plan was unanimously approved in 2022. As the city moves forward with these developments, the focus remains on creating a vibrant community hub that meets the needs of Santa Fe residents and visitors alike.