P.O. Box 638 • Bernalillo, NM 87004 • Phone: (505) 867-3311 • Fax: (505) 867-0481
COMMUNITY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Director: Maria G. C. Rinaldi
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Community Development Department to improve the quality of life of Bernalillo residents through the planning and development of municipal infrastructure and public amenities while maintaining the cultural character of the historic community.The Community Development Department seeks to fulfill the department's mission by administering community and economic development programs, capital projects planning, development and construction, and by directing policy related to land use, transportation, and growth management.
The Department is responsible for the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP), grants and program management related to all water and wastewater facilities and systems, public facilities such as administrative buildings and libraries, parks and community centers, and cultural activities such as Las Fiestas de San Lorenzo and the New Mexico Wine Festival.
The Department also houses the "Main Street Program." The Town of Bernalillo "Main Street Program" is a certified program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. The Bernalillo program has received national and statewide recognition and awards for economic development projects, preservation programs and projects, and for the Town's Main Street Overlay Ordinance and Design Guidelines.
Bernalillo Rail Runner Station
Bernalillo's Rail Runner station is planned for Downtown, on the west side of the existing BNSF tracks near Calle Don Francisco. It will be located close to Bernalillo's Town Hall, and is envisioned to serve the town's population, much of which is located in the neighboring area.Rail Runner stations include (from south to north) Belen, Los Lunas, Rio Bravo/Airport, Downtown Albuquerque, Paseo/Journal Center, the Town of Bernalillo, and Sandoval/U.S. Highway 550. Potential future stations are being pursued at Sandia and Isleta Pueblos.
Within each of the communities, specific locations emerged as preferred sites for commuter rail stations. MRCOG staff met with elected officials, planners, and area residents regarding the specific locations of the the rail platforms in these communities, the design of the rail service, and economic development opportunities presented by the commuter rail line.
The sites were then evaluated using criteria such as the size of the site, consistency with existing land use and local plans, compatibility with BNSF operations, site improvements needed, and the demographic and economic characteristics of the surrounding area. In addition, environmental, cultural, and hazardous materials field surveys were completed for each site.
Commuter Rail can provide communities with a wide range of economic development opportunities such as:
- Opportunities for business and residential developments in and around the rail stations
- Economic activity (retail and services) at the rail stations
- Increased capacity and reliability of the transportation network
- Pooling community resources
- Improved infrastructure to help existing businesses expand and to attract new businesses
- Quality of life issues, such as more transportation options, lower transportation costs, and greater access to goods and services