Las Cruces funds shade structures, kiosks, signage

LAS CRUCES — City councilors on Tuesday approved three-quarters of a million dollars in spending, including for shade structures in downtown Las Cruces.

In the first meeting of 2018, the City Council voted 6-0 to spend $750,000 on several projects meant to boost economic development.

The broad categories of spending are, according to city documents:

$350,000 for Plaza de Las Cruces events, promotion and “enhancements that include temporary shade options” and informational kiosks;

$250,000 for large “Welcome to Las Cruces” signs to greet interstate highway travelers; and

$150,000 for “facilities improvements” for the Las Cruces International Airport, including landscaping and signs.

Philip San Filippo, city economic development director, said city staff have looked at several options for adding temporary shade structures to Plaza de Las Cruces, including the use of umbrellas that could be taken down as needed. But he said the view of the plaza’s stage shouldn’t be disrupted.

“There’s concerns about what we do and how we do it,” he said.

City Councilor Greg Smith said he’s concerned about options that require continuous installation and takedown by staff, which adds to the city’s manpower costs.

“It’s sort of hard to get excited about umbrellas that have to be put up and taken down,” he said.