SF reveals guidelines for campus project

Mayor: Site offers ‘unlimited possibilities’

SANTA FE — Mayor Alan Webber on Thursday announced proposed guidelines for redeveloping the city-owned campus of the now-defunct Santa Fe University of Art and Design, which the mayor called “a once-in-alifetime opportunity.”

After a monthslong process of gathering public comment and concept proposals, the guidelines provide a top five of preferred uses for the 64 acres between St. Michael’s Drive and Siringo Road just east of Cerrillos Road. The site at “the geographic center of the city” offers “unlimited possibilities,” the mayor said at a news conference.

The guidelines’ five top uses for the site are:

A “premier, accredited” ■ higher education program, either from a single school or a collaboration among education providers.

As many as 1,000 units of ■ affordable housing for students and residents, “prioritizing rental units over homes for purchase.”

Film and emerging media ■ production, based around expanding the existing Garson Studios and with an effort to attract a film school.

Arts and creativity programs ■ leveraging existing facilities like the 550-seat Greer Garson Theatre and The Screen movie theater, with the possible addition of such venues as an amphitheater with a 200-600 seating capacity.

New business and innovation, ■ with a “strong preference” for a “hub of technology-focused” enterprises and development of such physical components as broadband access, co-working space and a tech-transfer center.

Some ideas brought up during the public comment period would be considered “undesired” in the guidelines.

“We want the site to become the most creative location in the U.S., where a wide diversity of people interacts and colloborate(s) to find their passions; build their skills for a great career; live in a thriving vibrant neighborhood and city; and create a great future for our community, region and beyond,” the guidelines state.