Las Cruces asks residents to identify vacant, neglected properties for redevelopment survey

The City of Las Cruces is asking residents, property owners, business owners and community stakeholders to help identify vacant, abandoned, underutilized or neglected properties that may have redevelopment potential.

A vacant former gas station property sits along a Las Cruces street. The city is asking residents to help identify vacant, abandoned, underutilized or neglected properties that may have redevelopment potential. (Courtesy photo / City of Las Cruces)

The city’s Economic Development Department has launched a Brownfields Identification Survey to help build an inventory of potential brownfield sites. Brownfields are properties where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination.

City officials said identifying those properties is an early step toward revitalization, economic investment and community improvement.

Community input will help the city better understand local concerns and opportunities, while supporting efforts to improve neighborhood appearance, address safety and blight concerns, support future housing and business opportunities and identify properties that may benefit from brownfield assessment and redevelopment resources.

Information gathered through the survey will help the city prioritize future assessment efforts, pursue funding opportunities and support long-term planning for redevelopment and community revitalization.

The survey will remain open through Oct. 15.

Submitting a property through the survey does not automatically designate it as a brownfield, does not obligate a property owner to participate in future programs and does not guarantee funding or redevelopment activity, according to the city. The survey is intended as a planning tool to help officials identify and better understand possible redevelopment opportunities.

Residents can complete the Brownfields Identification Survey and get more information at LasCruces.gov/EconomicDevelopment.