Put all campus options on table
In June, the city of Santa Fe will take over the 64-acre campus of the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. As a result, we have a substantial planning effort ahead that will require public input, thoughtful design and swift action. Although the city will soon owe bondholders $2.3 million annually for the parcel, it purchased the land, infrastructure and structures during the Great Recession for a little over $300,000 per acre.
With innovative thinking, the city could fulfill its financial obligations while providing a range of affordable housing options. Surrounded by a buffer of commercial and institutional property, the campus represents one-sixth of the Midtown Local Innovation Corridor Overlay District, also known as St. Michael’s LINC. This overlay district starts at the intersection of St. Michael’s Drive and Cerrillos Road, runs up both sides of St. Michael’s, and terminates on the west side of the St. Francis Drive overpass.
The St. Michael’s LINC overlay was created to encourage multistoried housing with plenty of live-work potential. On the college campus and throughout the LINC, stormwater from roofs, roads and solar-panel-covered parking lots could nourish nearby shade trees, native plants, mini-parks and a community orchard/garden — all in the midst of significant economic activity.
Another important feature of the property that the city should pursue would revolve around the creation of an alternative transportation hub. Bike trails, sidewalks, bus stops and cut-throughs to Cerrillos Road, St. Michael’s Drive, Siringo Road and Camino Carlos Rey could free people from the financial burdens of car dependency, and this would make the development even more affordable.
At the beginning stages of any design process, it’s important to brainstorm in order to ensure that all options are on the table. Here’s an incomplete alphabetical list of affordable housing options for the campus (which saves my favorite for last):
Affordable housing. Based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development numbers, affordable housing assistance in Santa Fe County starts when a single-person household takes in just under $50,000 annually. Although too pricey for many, this level of affordability likely will be an important part of any plan for the college campus. Dormitories. Many dorms already exist there, so it would make sense to explore inexpensive ways to renovate these structures. Given the existing resources like Greer Garson Studio and the neighboring Higher Education Center, however, some dorms might need little more than a face-lift to support the property’s historic commitment to education.
Lower-income housing. Rentals — for young people and anyone trying to make ends meet on low wages — must be a big part of the campus’ equation.
Senior living. Affordable housing for seniors in Santa Fe is lacking, too, so we should make sure our wise and resourceful grandmothers and grandfathers represent a good measure of the population living in this dynamic, new neighborhood.
Transitional housing. With cooperation from a range of nonprofits and government agencies, we could provide facilities with beds, lockers, showers and other essentials for many — if not all — of our community’s homeless population.
Workforce housing. The city of Albuquerque recently had success building “workforce” housing for teachers, medical workers, firefighters and their families. This category would likely represent the largest component of any successful housing plan for the campus. The time has come to rise to this opportunity, but we must act soon with a detailed and comprehensive vision.
To this end, the city should consider a wide variety of partners including The University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, the Santa Fe Community College, Northern New Mexico University, New Mexico Highlands University, Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and a wide variety of local businesses and industries that would benefit from a successful worker-training facility located at the center of town.
Nate Downey is a candidate for Santa Fe City Council in District 2.