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Last November, the National Complete Streets Coalition adopted a new and improved policy framework for grading Complete Streets policies. Our revamped Elements of a Complete Streets Policy raises the bar by calling for stronger commitments to equity and implementation. To celebrate the new framework, we’re highlighting some of the best Complete Streets initiatives, projects, and champions around the country in lieu of our annual Best Complete Streets Policies report. Between now and the release of the full report on March 21, we will profile one winning initiative each week. Last week’s featured profile was Rochester, New York’s Inner Loop East Transformation Project. This week: Las Cruces, New Mexico’s innovative work with land use and transportation.
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View of Plaza de Las Cruces. Photo courtesy of Victor Gibbs.
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Initiative: Downtown Master Plan
The City of Las Cruces, NM is one of many cities across the U.S. creating a more mixed-use, accessible, and walkable community. The key to their success? A Downtown Master Plan championed by local residents, business people, elected officials, and city staff that recognizes the strong connection between land use and transportation. Originally adopted back in 2004 and updated in 2013, and again in 2016, the Downtown Master Plan is a living document that reflects the community’s vision. This plan was crucial to the city’s adoption of a form-based code and advancement of Complete Streets initiatives, including a recent flagship project, Plaza de Las Cruces.