Las Cruces Downtown Master Plan

The City of Las Cruces retained Sites to generate a vision and planning strategy for revitalizing its downtown. The centerpiece of this urban design effort is the reopening of Main Street to reinstate it as a major north/south arterial, which will bring thousands of cars and people through the heart of the city. The redevelopment strategy included planning and designing for a new civic plaza and government buildings, attracting specialty retailers and service providers, and amplifying the downtown’s role as the center for culture and arts. Sites performed as lead consultant for the catalyst project for this effort known as the Main Street Plaza. The Main Street Plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving that can be closed off for special events. As part of the design process, computer generated visual simulations were used to help community members and policy makers envision the downtown of tomorrow. Sites also contributed distinctive landscapes to two downtown buildings: the Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse.