Latest Articles : Mid-Region Council of Governments

Job Opening: Transit/Rail Manager – Rio Metro Transit District

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:35:43 +0000

The Mid-Region Council of Governments / Rio Metro Regional Transit District seeks a professional to work as part of an interdisciplinary team to oversee and manage regional transit operations in the Valencia County Transportation office. Duties include participation in the planning and development of new or modified transit services, budgets and grant applications, marketing and outreach strategies, personnel development and policies, emergency response and safety programs, and transit related community and economic development programs. Directly supervises transit staff including bus drivers, administrative staff and other operation related positions.

Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Qualifications include: Bachelors degree in public administration, business administration or other relevant field or 10 years experience in a transportation related field of which two must be in Public Transportation. Possession of a valid NM Commercial Drivers License, Class B with “P” endorsement or ability to obtain endorsement within three (3) months from date of hire required.

Resumes may be submitted in person or by mail at: Mid-Region Council of Governments Attn: Personnel, 809 Copper Ave. NW, Alb., NM 87102 no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 8, 2012. Faxes will not be considered. Employment pending a successful background check, a valid New Mexico driver’s license and clean driving record. The MRCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Late resumes will not be considered.

Paseo del Norte Transit Study is Underway

Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The MRCOG held two public meetings on May 8, 2012, to present the initial findings of the Paseo del Norte High Capacity Transit Study. The study focuses on identifying how transit can address current and future transportation needs between the northwest metro area and the North I-25 corridor and other destinations east of the Rio Grande. MRCOG is soliciting comments on the initial concepts presented at the meeting.

Comments: Tony Sylvester (tsylvester@mrcog-nm.gov)

Rio Metro Seeks Citizen Input on Regional Transit District Short Range Plan

Thu, 03 May 2012 13:09:10 +0000

Rio Metro Regional Transit District Updating Short-Range Plan

(Albuquerque, NM – May 3, 2012) - The Rio Metro Regional Transit District is updating its short-range plan and will hold three public meetings across the region to get input from residents and riders. The plan will assess existing services, establish a Fiscal Year 2013 budget, and identify potential service improvements and expansions over the next five -10 years. It replaces the existing Service Plan adopted in 2008.

Rio Metro provides a number of important transit services in Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Valencia counties: operating the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, providing bus service to small towns and rural communities, operating "dial-a-ride" buses for elderly and disabled residents, and providing funding for eight ABQ Ride bus routes, including the 790 Rapid Ride "Blue Line." Rio Metro also arranges transportation for low-income workers in Bernalillo County as part of the federal Job Access and Reverse Commute program.

"Rio Metro provides vital transportation alternatives to people across the region, making it easier for them to get around," said Larry Abraham, Chair of the Rio Metro Board of Directors. "This plan will help us improve our services and anticipate our needs down the road."

Rio Metro is hosting three public meetings to seek feedback on existing and future services:

Bernalillo County: Thursday, May 10, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Alvarado Transportation Center/ABQ Ride Training Room
1st & Central, Downtown Albuquerque

Valencia County: Wednesday, May 16, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Los Lunas Transportation Center
101 Courthouse Road, Los Lunas

Sandoval County: Thursday, May 17, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
US 550 Rail Runner Station
400 Station Street, Bernalillo

"We'd like to hear how we can better serve our communities and our riders," said Terry Doyle, Director of Rio Metro. "That feedback will help us figure out how best to use our resources in the future."

Public comments will be accepted between May 7 and May 30. More information about the plan and opportunities for comments will be available at any of the public meetings and at www.riometro.org. Comments can also be submitted to comments@mrcog-nm.gov or mailed to Tony Sylvester, Rio Metro Regional Transit District, 809 Copper Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Once the plan is compiled, individuals may comment on it at the June 15 Rio Metro Board Meeting, held at the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

Contact: Jay Faught, Rio Metro Regional Transit District, 505-352-4780,

Transportation News: May 2012 Edition of Travel Times

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In this issue:

Take part in the Travel Times Question of the Month
New Mexico's Newest Urbanized Area
Open Houses for Paseo del Norte High Capacity Transit Study
Public Meetings for Rio Metro Transit Service Plan Update
May Calendar
Transportation News and Information

The full version of this newsletter, as well as back issues, can be viewed here.

MRMPO Staff Contact Information
Aaron Sussman	Transportation Planner	505-724-3631	asussman@mrcog-nm.gov
Barbara Thomas	Program Support Coordinator	505-724-3616	bthomas@mrcog-nm.gov
Caeri Thomas	Transportation Planner	505-724-3604	cthomas@mrcog-nm.gov
Carol Earp	GIS Analyst/Cartographer	505-724-3606	cearp@mrcog-nm.gov
Carol Foster	Research Analyst	505-724-3613	cfoster@mrcog-nm.gov
Daniel Jimenez	Transportation Planner I	505-725-1707	djimenez@mrcog-nm.gov
Dave Pennella	Transportation Program Manager	505-724-3621	dpennella@mrcog-nm.gov
Eric Webster	Transportation Planner	505-724-3602	ewebster@mrcog-nm.gov
Julie Luna	Trails Planner	505-724-3639	jluna@mrcog-nm.gov
Kendra Watkins	Senior Data Analyst	505-724-3601	kwatkins@mrcog-nm.gov
Nathan Masek	Transportation Planner	505-724-3620	nmasek@mrcog-nm.gov
Shohreh Day	GIS/Systems Analyst	505-724-3608	sday@mrcog-nm.gov
Steven Montiel	Transportation Planner	505-724-3633	smontiel@mrcog-nm.gov
Tara Cok	Transportation Planner	505-724-3627	tcok@mrcog-nm.gov
Terry Doyle	Transportation Director	505-843-1701	tdoyle@mrcog-nm.gov

Economic Developers Collaborate to Market the Region

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:00:54 +0000

In an effort to grow business in central New Mexico, the Metro New Mexico Development Alliance has redesigned its website – www.nmsitesearch.com. The website was created to foster business growth in the region. Among the many features contained in the redesigned site is a directory of commercial properties for sale or lease in the Albuquerque metro-region, including Santa Fe.

“This website is a highly useful tool for any company exploring relocating their business to New Mexico,” says site selection and economic development consultant Jack Allston. “Site selectors from around the country are looking for the kinds of information you will find on this site.” This site is a one-stop shop that contains all of the vital information companies need to make a decision about a possible move to this great region.”

New Website Features

Total Redesign – Vibrant photos and more organized information now greets site selectors and researchers when they visit www.nmsitesearch.com. There’s more data and information for those considering central New Mexico for their business. The site even offers a Google Map of the region, identifying major NM cities and counties.
A Database of available commercial properties – Metro NM Development Alliance offers this feature exclusively and without cost to users of the site.
Collaboration – The site represents a collective and regional approach to economic development, emphasizing both the cooperation in working regionally, while also highlighting the uniqueness of each community in the region.
Social Media – The site now has a Twitter feed to the home page and link to Facebook. There’s also a News Center page with a story feed from the NM Business Weekly, as well as a link to the NM Community Development Calendar, and other economic development agencies in the region.

“I am happy to see this public-private collaboration thinking and acting regionally about economic development,” says Metro Alliance Partner Dewey Cave, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

The Metro New Mexico Development Alliance is a unique collaborative that brings together economic development partners, real estate interests, and local government, all with the same goal; to improve the economy through new business development, business expansion, and job creation.

The website is sponsored by several partners including: NAIOP, Albuquerque Economic Development, the Village of Los Lunas, Rio Rancho Economic Development Corporation, PNM, Greater Belen Economic Development Corporation, Estancia Valley Economic Development Association, and the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

More about MRCOG's economic development program is here.

Growth in the MRCOG Region - Highlights from the 2010 Census

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:18:00 +0000

According to recently released 2010 Census data, the middle Rio Grande region grew by 158,432 people over the past decade for a 2010 population of 897,146. The gain is the equivalent of adding a second Sandoval and Valencia County to the region, and represents a 21.4 percent increase in population since 2000. While Bernalillo County continues to dominate the region in terms of total population, it has been declining in share as we grow larger and consume more land. In 1960 Bernalillo County represented 88 percent of the region’s population; by 2010 it accounts for just 74 percent. The pattern of growth seen within the state of New Mexico over the decade can be characterized as metro-area focused with central New Mexico as a key beneficiary. The MRCOG region contains three of the state’s five fastest growing counties over the decade: Sandoval County (46.3 percent), Bernalillo County (19.0 percent) and Valencia County (15.7 percent). Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties combined captured two-thirds of the state’s growth, while 14 of New Mexico’s 33 counties lost population.

To access additional detail regarding growth in the MRCOG Region go to ‘Region & People’.

New Census Data Available for Small Areas

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:05:14 +0000

The much awaited 5-year data release from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey is finally here! For the first time, we don't have to wait until the decennial census to see how small areas are growing and changing. This 2005-2009 release provides detailed characteristics on communities down to the census tract and block group level. Click here to view social, economic, housing, and demographic profiles that have already been posted for all counties and places in the MRCOG Region. MRCOG will continue to upload data and maps from the release to this website over the next few weeks.

Click here for frequently asked questions about using the data.

MRCOG Creates Commuting, Housing, and Mobility Profiles based on the 2009 American Community Survey for MRCOG Region

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:19:36 +0000

The 2009 American Community Survey released by the US Census Bureau allows us the unique ability to measure change over recent history and between larger geographies within the MRCOG region.

Three profiles highlight some key findings for the MRCOG Region:

More information about the American Community Survey.

Development Opportunity Around Train Stations

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:14:45 +0000

New Mexico Rail Runner Express station areas present a potential alternative planning area to the auto-oriented development prevalent in many southwestern cities. Transit-oriented development enables residents to own fewer cars, drive less, reduce transit expenditures, and live and work in a walkable community.

What is Transit Oriented Development? TOD refers to mixed-use development within walking distance of a transit facility or station that encourages ridership. These areas are typically developed at a higher density than surrounding neighborhoods and are designed to become vibrant shopping, entertainment, employment and residential cores where there is activity throughout the day. Development based on TOD principles can help revitalize declining neighborhoods and urban centers, improve housing variety and the availability of affordable housing, decrease roadway congestion, improve accessibility to job centers, entertainment and cultural facilities and preserve open space.

We created this newsletter to facilitate and encourage development around existing train stations. Take a look, and let us answer your questions.

Kirtland AFB Study Complete and Available Online

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Senior Airman Jason Rice and Senior Airman Gerald Heckwine perform maintenance on a CV-22 Osprey at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

The Albuquerque International Sunport, the Department of Energy, Sandia National Labs, Kirtland Air Force Base and its partners account for 42,750 direct, indirect and induced jobs, contribute more than $5.8 billion annually to the regional economy, and represent the largest employment entity in the MRCOG region. This entity represents 1 out of every 9 regional jobs and 17.5% of all regional wages/salaries.

These details are revealed as part of the Kirtland AFB Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), a study focused on land-use, transportation, and regional economic impact in and around Kirtland Air Force Base.

What is a JLUS? The JLUS program is intended to “encourage cooperative land use planning between military installations and the surrounding communities so that future community growth and development are compatible with the training and operational missions of the installations, and to seek ways to reduce the operational impacts on adjacent land." A JLUS is a best-faith effort by the community and military installation to compile, analyze and use data, stated requirements, and desires for community development to achieve the common goal of planning a compatible future.

The Office of Economic Adjustment of the US Department of Defense funded the study grant, with assistance from MRCOG and Bernalillo County. Keystone International Inc. was hired, per a competitive process, to conduct the study.

After a nearly 2-year collaborative effort, 42 different agencies were involved-- including tribal governments, and the project team conducted over 80 face-to-face meetings with stakeholders. Advisory and technical committees oversaw the study, and the public gave input in the form of a public survey with 1,632 respondents, in addition to 6 public meetings at community centers.

The Kirtland Joint Land Use Study is an important planning tool in light of anticipated future growth in the Albuquerque metro area. Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) is a particularly complex base, and thus required a more robust study. For example,

KAFB does not reside in a homogeneous region, rather there are dozens of land-holders and stakeholders including tribal, academic, federal, state, public and private sector
KAFB is not a single-mission facility, KAFB is one of the most complex and diverse Air Force bases in the country with over 100 mission partners
KAFB has sensitive national security missions
KAFB has a unique airfield relationship with Sunport

Next steps? A JLUS committee will meet to consider implementation of some or all of the 33 study recommendations.

Read the Kirtland AFB Joint Land Use Study.

Annual Report of Programs and Accomplishments

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:55:14 +0000

The MRCOG Annual Report highlights the programs and accomplishments for 2010.

For example, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express added two stations the past year: the 599 Station which brings a new transportation hub to the north, and the Kewa Station which offers pueblo residents a much-needed connection to the rest of the region. Other Rail Runner highlights include added Sunday service, free WiFi capabilities for passengers, and lifesaving defibrillators on the train.

Veggies on display from the Local Food Festival

Our Local Food Festival tripled in size since its debut three years ago, we were one of only five communities in the nation to be recognized for our innovative economic development strategies, and our Summer Youth Employment Program put more than 500 young men and women to work in the region.

Our efforts in workforce development are making a difference. Our New Mexico Workforce Connection program is helping job seekers position themselves for new opportunities, while our business-focused approach is also assisting many of our area small businesses with hiring and retraining employees, as well as providing support to expanding businesses.

Our work in the outlying communities is enabling our rural areas to attract funding for critical safety investments and to construct multi-modal facilities that enable people to live healthier lives while saving on fuel costs. MRCOG's assistance in terms of planning and zoning training, comprehensive planning, and transportation project planning is designed to enhance the viability of the region's smaller communities, the source of so many of the employees in the urban core.

This and more can be found in the 2010 Annual Report:

Contact: Augusta Meyers, Communications Manager (ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov)

Mid-Region Council of Governments Receives National Association of Development Organizations 2010 Innovation Award

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:40:52 +0000

July 16, 2010 - WASHINGTON, DC – The Mid-Region Council of Governments, based in Albuquerque, NM received a 2010 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for its Agriculture Collaborative.

The MRCOG's Agriculture Collaborative has developed over the last 10 years into a highly functioning organization promoting local food, farmland preservation and agricultural entrepreneurs. The Agriculture Collaborative makes critical connections through its monthly meeting programs and special events, including an on-line LandLink program and annual food festival.

"We could not have built this program without strong support from our Board of Directors, private foundations, community participation, and support from a US Economic Development Administration Innovation Center Grant, " said Dewey Cave, Interim Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. "This award is a real honor for the MRCOG and will go a long way in sustaining the efforts of the Agriculture Collaborative," Cave said.

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is an association of local governments and special units of government within New Mexico's Third Planning District – the four counties in the central part of the state that respresent nearly 40-percent of the state's population. MRCOG's mission is to strengthen individual communities by identifying and initiating regional planning strategies through open dialogue and collaboration between the member governments.

NADO is a Washington, DC-based association that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery and comprehensive strategies. The association's Innovation Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and partnering organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation's regions and local communities. Award winners will be showcased during NADO's 2010 Annual Training Conference, to be held August 28-31 in San Diego, California.

"For more than 20 years, NADO's Innovation Award has provided regional development organizations throughout the nation a unique opportunity to showcase creative projects like Agriculture Collaborative, which make it possible to advance the economic growth and sustainability of our nation's regions. This recognition brings to the forefront the important work of regional organizations and their critical role in promoting economic development for rural and small metropolitan communities," said NADO President Mike Norton, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District in Harrison, Arkansas.

For more information, contact Augusta Meyers at the Mid-Region Council of Governments 505 239-8612

###

Founded in 1967, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides advocacy, education, networking and research for the national network of 540 regional development organizations. NADO members provide professional, programmatic and technical assistance to over 2,300 counties and 15,000 municipalities.

$6.72 Million to Help Construct New Albuquerque ABQ RIDE/ Rail Runner Station

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:52:45 +0000

Mayor Richard J. Berry today announced that the City of Albuquerque has been awarded $6.72 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to build the Montaño Intermodal Center. The center will provide a new connection between ABQ Ride buses and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter train near the intersection of Montaño and 2nd St.

"This is a huge win for Albuquerque," said Mayor Berry. "We are paving the way for 21st century transportation needs with this project. Every time we add to our public transportation infrastructure, hundreds of thousands of people benefit every single year."

Through a grant application submitted jointly by the City of Albuquerque Transit Department and the Rio Metro District, $6,722,800 was requested for land acquisition, environmental and engineering services, and related costs. Through the legislative efforts of City Councilor Debbie O'Malley, the City of Albuquerque was able to match $1,927,120.

"The award of this grant is notable not just due to the vital project it will bring to the city, but because of the purpose of the granting", said Dewey Cave, Interim Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. "Grants requests from across the nation were evaluated on their ability to not just provide transportation, but also by how they would promote affordable housing, support economic competitiveness, and support existing communities and neighborhoods."

"This new station will help relieve commuter traffic on Montaño bridge," Councilor O'Malley said. "This will improve the area and quality of life for North Valley and Westside residents."

The facility will encompass about 4 acres with a bus island and priority bus drop off area adjacent to a Rail Runner platform. Riders coming off of the train can expect eight ABQ Ride buses and other shuttles to take them to various locations around the metro area.

"This funding is an important investment in Albuquerque's public transit system," U.S Senator Jeff Bingaman said. "The new Rail Runner station will help increase bus and rail access to city residents."

Through the efforts of key legislators, State funds will assist in property acquisition.

"I am so glad that we are supplementing the money that the legislature put into this important project," State Senator Dede Feldman said. "I believe that this location will be the busiest station in New Mexico, with people coming from the east and the west parts of town."

Myth Busting the NM Rail Runner Express

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:39:27 +0000

Services which impact the lives of many are often the subject of public scrutiny, as they well should be. However, it's also important to separate fact from fiction. And, since you, the taxpayer are helping fund this service, we think it’s your right to know the truth!

Since its implementation in July 2006, the Rail Runner has carried 3.1 million riders over 107.2 million passenger miles, and is creating economic opportunities in the region. In addition to development around Rail Runner stations, the train gives citizens the freedom to live where they choose in the region, enabling access to green, safe, and affordable transportation. As a result, new and expanding businesses know they have access to a workforce that has reliable public transportation.

Here are some facts you should know:

FACT: Implementation Costs were Consistent with Early Estimates

The Mid-Region Council of Governments and the New Mexico Department of Transportation issued a report to the Legislative Finance Committee in September of 2004. This was the first report that included cost estimates for the project. The report indicated that the initial phase of the Rail Runner between Belen and Bernalillo would likely cost $75 million, and the extension to Santa Fe would cost about $250 million, for a total of $325 million. The report noted that these estimates did not include the cost to own or lease the track from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), which were unknown at the time.

The $325 million in capital costs held true, despite very dramatic increases in fuel, concrete, steel and other material costs over the 4-year life of the construction project. Additionally, the State of New Mexico ended up paying $75 million to purchase the tracks from Belen to the Colorado state line. Therefore, the total project came to approximately $400 million.

FACT: The Rail Runner Offers Affordable Fares & Enjoys Broad Public Support

We work hard to keep fares affordable, as residents in the four-county Rail Runner service area are already contributing. For fiscal year 2009, fares cover about 14% of the operating costs. Fees paid by BNSF and Amtrak cover another 7%. The voter-approved tax for Rail Runner operations contributes another 54%, and Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds from the New Mexico Department of Transportation cover the remaining 25%, which is approximately $5 million per year. To put this expense in perspective, the total State of New Mexico FY10 approved budget is $5.47 Billion; therefore, the State’s contribution toward operation of the Rail Runner is .0005% of the total state budget.

However, it's also important to know that the Rail Runner operation pays about $1.2 million a year in New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax. Additionally, the implementation of Rail Runner service eliminated the need for the bus service the State was providing between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. This bus service was costing the State $1.3 million a year. Therefore, the net contribution the Rail Runner makes to the State of New Mexico is about $2.5 million a year.

Public transportation is sometimes criticized for receiving a “subsidy”. But consider this: how many other government programs can claim that the vast majority of the revenues required to cover operating costs come from a direct voter-approved tax and user fees? In addition, a 2006 Albuquerque Journal voter poll noted a project cost of at least $393 million and 59% of the respondents statewide indicated they thought the project was a good idea. How many other regional projects could garner this much support on a statewide level? Also, in the four counties in which the Rail Runner provides service, 70% of the respondents said they supported the project.

FACT: New Mexico Demonstrated Foresight in Implementing Rail NOW

Voters in Denver, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City also supported tax initiatives for rail. However, because these cities waited too long, their price tags are much higher. Nevertheless, these citizens still thought it important to support rail transportation.

Salt Lake City is half-way done with a 100 mile commuter rail system, which is very similar to the Rail Runner. The Salt Lake City project cost = $1.6 billion. In 2004, the citizens of the greater Denver area voted to increase their sales tax by one-half percent to build 120 miles of rail. Denver project cost = $4.3 billion. And Phoenix just opened their 19 mile long light rail system which was also funded via a voter approved one-half percent sales tax in 2004. Phoenix project cost = $1.6 billion.

The voters in New Mexico’s central four-county region passed a one-eighth percent gross receipts tax to fund Rail Runner operations and expanded bus services. That’s 12 cents on a $100 purchase. Thanks to the voters, New Mexico is not waiting around until roadway congestion is unbearable and quality of life degraded.Instead, voters had the foresight to plan early and accordingly for future anticipated roadway congestion, by supporting the train NOW.

FACT: The Rail Runner is an Alternative to Future Anticipated Congestion

The 2005 Alternatives Analysis report analyzed the cost of adding a new lane on Interstate-25 between Tramway Blvd. in Albuquerque and St. Francis Drive in Santa Fe. The cost was estimated at $320 million at this time. (Note that the Rail Runner actually runs between Belen and Santa Fe, over twice this distance.)The Alternatives Analysis and other subsequent studies pointed out that the drive between Albuquerque and Santa Fe is projected to take over 2 hours in the year 2025…but I-25 isn’t the only problem.

The more severe congestion problems are associated with the roadway systems in the central areas of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Building new multilane facilities into these areas (if even feasible) would cost hundreds of millions of additional dollars. In addition, pushing more traffic into the core areas would exacerbate an already serious problem with parking. The future demand for travel into the core area of Santa Fe, if accommodated all in automobiles, would require an additional 67 acres of parking. Anyone care to build a 67 story parking garage in Downtown Santa Fe? Meanwhile, riders on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express arrive to cities like Santa Fe without the need for parking, and can walk, ride a bike or take a bus to their final destination.

Additionally, the Rail Runner already has:

Reduced our carbon footprint by 92 million pounds of carbon dioxide (watch video: Add Some Green to Your Travel)
In 2009 reduced energy consumption by more than 2.26 million gallons of gasoline
Transported 3.1 million passengers
Taken 100 million vehicle miles off our roadways
Carried over 65,000 cyclists with their bicycles
Solar power at stations

FACT: Working Families Need Affordable Solutions for Transportation

When gas prices hit almost $4.00 a gallon, it was a wake-up call for New Mexicans. Many working families saw transportation costs skyrocket as a percentage of their household income. While public transportation services experienced dramatic increases in ridership, it also exposed the weakness in our public transportation system, namely, the scarcity of services and importance of increasing reach and accessibility through the Central NM corridor. The Rail Runner is an important part of this system as are the increasing number of bus connections.

Another consideration: New Mexico’s population is rapidly aging. While many of us may marvel at the people who still drive around despite their age, there are many seniors who cannot or will not drive beyond a certain point in their lives, and their numbers are increasing.

Additionally, finding affordable housing in the central area of Albuquerque and almost anywhere in Santa Fe is challenging (if not impossible) for many of the people who work in these communities. Even in these hard economic times there are ambitious plans and ongoing activities associated with new development around Rail Runner stations. In addition to the Rail Runner, expanded bus service and the associated economic and land development opportunities provide a solid frame work for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

FACT: Most of the Roadways in New Mexico are Subsidized

Critics of the Rail Runner often point to the “subsidy” and the 4500 passengers the Rail Runner carries every day as primary reasons why the system is a waste of taxpayer funds. What most people do not realize is State and Local governments spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to maintain and re-construct low volume highways. Most of these highways carry between 1000 and 2000 cars a day and only generate 15-25% of the gas tax revenues required to keep these roads in a good state of repair. In fact most of the construction projects funded in the State $1.6 billion GRIP program and $1.2 billion CHAT program were spent on roadways. This is not to say that these roadways are not important. They provide a way for people to access services and good, jobs, health care and education.However, it’s important to see the larger picture of how transportation dollars are spent.

FACT: The Rail Runner is Part of Improving Public Transportation in Central New Mexico

Public transportation isn’t for everyone, and is not the most feasible solution for many parts of the State. For the Albuquerque and Santa Fe Metropolitan areas it is an important part of the transportation system today, and will become increasingly important in the future as this part of the state continues to grow. Together, the two metro areas are expected to contain 1.5 million people by 2025. 60% of the jobs in New Mexico are also located in this region. Growth is expected to severely diminish residents ability to move around by auto due to congestion on the roadway system despite the investment of billions of dollars to add lanes to the roadway system and build new roadway facilities. Investments in Rail and Bus Rapid Transit (buses that use exclusive lanes to by-pass congestion) will be necessary to maintain some semblance of mobility in these two metro areas. The Rail Runner is the spine of this system and provides a framework for future connections.

Ready to Ride? Go to nmrailrunner.com

2010 Local Food Fest Photos

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:05:09 +0000

The heat didn't scare away crowds from the 2010 Local Food Festival and Field Day, but thank goodness for sprinkers and water bottles! The event, held at the Hubbell House in Albuquerque's South Valley on June 6, was a celebration of agriculture in New Mexico's Rio Grande Valley. Below are some photos from the event, including farmers, animals, live music, free food, games, local products, produce, demonstrations and more.

Created with flickr slideshow.

Results of Transportation Study

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:00:22 +0000

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Mid-Region Council of Government's public survey about transportation. The information collected as part of this survey will be invaluable for use in the regional transportation planning process led by MRCOG, which includes the development of the 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

Many participants took the time to provide in-depth comments; 360 pages of comments, in fact. These have been carefully read over and the most common themes have been categorized. Reponses to how well the current transportation system meets needs, the severity of traffic congestion, and other key questions were examined across several groups. We want to take the opportunity to share these results with you. If you have further questions or comments, please contact MRCOG at MTPComments@mrcog-nm.gov or call 505-724-3639.

Here are the results:

Survey Results Snapshot (2 pages): The snapshot provides an overview of the most salient survey results: who took the survey; what are the top planning priorities; how well the current transportation system meets the needs of survey participants and more. ( 2010 Transportation Survey Snapshot Results)

Executive Summary (1 page): This summary is a brief overview of the survey results and it provides an introduction to the survey report. ( Executive Summary)

Survey Report (47 pages including the Executive Summary): The survey report provides in-depth analysis. A close look is taken at how people from different groups rate their satisfaction with the current transportation system among other topics. Responses from open-ended questions are categorized and summarized as well. ( Transportation Survey Report 2010 2.06 Mb)

Appendix A – Contacted Groups (1 page): List of groups contacted to participate in the survey. ( Appendix A – Participating Groups )

Appendix B – Better Access (10 pages): People were asked what types of transportation to which they would like better access beyond the bus, train, walking, bicycling and the car. Here is the complete list of their written-in responses. ( Appendix B – Better Access )

Appendix C – Avoid Congestion (6 pages): People were asked what have they done to avoid traffic congestion beyond changing the time they leave, changing the route they take, taking the bus, bicycle, train or walking, working from home, changing where they live, using carpools, or changing jobs. Here is a complete list of their written-in responses. ( Appendix C – Avoid Congestion)

Appendix D – Other Public Transportation (5 pages): People were asked what public transportation they have taken in the past year beyond NM Rail Runner Express, ABQ Ride, NM Park & Ride, Los Lunas Transit, Sandoval Easy Express, paratransit, Belen Transit, and Torrance County TOGO. Here is a complete list of their written-in responses. ( Appendix D – Other Public Transit)

Appendix E – Travel Information (9 pages): People were asked how they get travel information beyond the radio, television, overhead dynamic message signs, NMROADS.com, PDA's, e-mail or text messaging. Here is a complete list of their written-in responses. ( Appendix E – Travel Information)

Appendix F – Transit Improvements (156 pages): Here are the written-in responses to "What improvements to public transit do you see needed?" ( Appendix F –Public Transit Improvements)

Appendix G – Other Planning Issues (97 pages): Here are the written-in responses to "Is there anything else you think is very important concerning transportation planning for the next 20 years in the central New Mexico region?" ( Appendix G – Other Planning Issues 1.06 Mb)

Appendix H – General Comments (77pages): Here are the written-in responses to "Below is your opportunity to tell about anything else that you think is important concerning how you get around the region that you have not shared before." ( Appendix H – General Comments 602.91 Kb)

Appendix I (11 pages): Survey Instrument ( Appendix I Survey Instrument )

Note on Appendices: Personal information or profanity in the written responses was removed. If you see something we missed, please give us a call at 505-724-3639 or send an e-mail to MTPComments@mrcog-nm.gov.

Live Results of New Mexico's Census Participation Rate

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:44:06 +0000

In March 2010, more than 130 million addresses received a 2010 Census form by mail or hand delivery. The 2010 Census documents the changes in our nation since the last decennial census in 2000, and tell us how we’ve evolved as a country. Because census data affect how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments, the census also will frame the future of our country and our community for the next 10 years.

During Census 2000, the mail participation rate was 72 percent as of the April 2000 cut-off. About $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation. For these and many other reasons, we must work to encourage everyone’s participation in the census.

Here’s what you should know about the 2010 Census:

It’s easy. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The individual in whose name the housing unit is rented or owned should complete the form on behalf of every person living there, both relatives and nonrelatives.

It’s important. Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments. Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.

It’s safe. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

Finally, the most efficient way to respond to the 2010 Census is to complete the form as soon as it arrives and return it in the postage-paid return envelope. Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take the count in person.

Learn more about the 2010 Census

MRCOG Redesigns Website

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:51:35 +0000

The MRCOG website has a fresher, brighter design as a result of a new template and system upgrade. Rotating images highlight the vast array of programs offered by MRCOG: transportation planning, support for local farmers, and the popular New Mexico Rail Runner Express, among many others. The site navigation was updated to accomodate the need for increased information on the programs and services offered. Additionally, the Council of Governments utilizes a large number of social media sites, and this new design does a better job of promoting this interaction.

Rio Metro regional transit routes are growing, and this web presence will also grow and improve over time. Additionally, the MRCOG has also acquired a regional economic development website (nmsitesearch) which is prominently linked on the home page. This site will undergo a redesign in the near future, as well.

These improvements are made as a gesture of encouragement for the public to take part in our meetings, planning and programs. The MRCOG values the discussion that web-based technologies enable between MRCOG employees and the citizens and policy-makers of the greater region.

Contact: Julie Heinrich (jheinrich@mrcog-nm.gov)

Public Input from the Los Lunas Transportation Study

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:27:47 +0000

The comments summary from the Los Lunas Transportation Corridor study is now online. This study is lead by the Mid-Region Council of Governments with support and involvement from numerous communities.

The study is evaluating existing and future transportation problems and needs within the NM 6 corridor, and identifying and solutions to help mitigate congestion on this route and provide access to developing areas and areas planned for development within the County.

Transportation Survey Results

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:00:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Mid-Region Council of Governments’ public survey about transportation. This survey ended on February 12, 2010. There were 3,648 respondents. Many people took the time to provide in depth comments. Here are some survey result highlights:

Traffic Congestion

A little over a third of respondents would say that traffic congestion during their daily commute was a “very serious” problem or a “serious” problem. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents report having changed the time they leave in order to avoid traffic congestion. A fifth (20%) report having taken the bus in order to avoid congestion.

Public Transit

The most common type of public transit respondents report taking is the New Mexico Rail Runner Express (46% of respondents). The next most common type of public transit taken last year by respondents is the ABQ Ride regular bus service (34%) followed by ABQ Ride’s Rapid Ride service (33%). Nearly one-third (31%) of respondents report not taking public transit in the past year. The most common destinations when taking public transit by respondents were recreation/entertainment (40%) and work (36%).

Transportation Planning Issues

“Develop the system so that people can travel to centers of employment, education, and commerce easily by public transit, bicycle and walking.” This statement received the highest priority ranking for long term planning among respondents with 30% ranking it as their first priority.

More results to come

More in-depth results from this survey will be posted online by March 31. If you would like to be notified when this report is available and when other opportunities for involvement occur in the metropolitan planning process, please Sign Up for Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2035 News Alerts.

Commit to Being Counted

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:43:31 +0000

New Mexico is a wonderful place to live-- our terrain spans mountain peaks, jagged canyons, wide open mesa and winding rivers. Our people are also diverse, and all of us have come to this beautiful land over time to contribute to a rich cultural and ethnic landscape.

And, each one of us has something very important in common.

We will receive a 2010 Census questionnaire in the mail, most likely in March. Filling out the census form is absolutely critical for New Mexicans, as New Mexico ranks #1 among the “hard to count” populations by state, according to the Census Bureau. Being a “hard to count” state led to a large undercount in 2000, which means lost opportunities for our people. You see, the 2010 Census determines, among many things, the level of federal assistance we receive for federal programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, funding for transportation, hospitals and more.

Need more information? Visit the Census 2010 website where you can view (but not fill out) the census form online, watch videos, and read details on how the census affects our region, state, and nation.

Make sure you receive a census form, make sure you fill it out, and spread the word to your friends and neighbors. Stand up and be counted!

In Abq Journal: Base, Sunport Study Crucial

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:49:03 +0000

The following ran in the Albuquerque Journal on Wednesday, September 16, 2009

More information on the Kirtland Joint Land Use Study may be found here.

Base, Sunport Study Crucial

By Michael Daly
President, Mesa del Sol

Kirtland Air Force Base and the Mid-Region Council of Governments should be commended for their foresight in conducting a joint land use study of the base and the Albuquerque International Sunport - Mesa del Sol's closest neighbor.

This cooperative land use planning effort is the first of its kind for New Mexico and is taking an in-depth look at the economics and land use of the base and the surrounding area as well as studying the traffic around and access to the base. The study is also looking at the base's relationships with the nearby communities and its future missions in relation to the surrounding areas including Mesa del Sol, the area's newest community.

KAFB's foresight and planning is also evident in its signed agreements noting its endorsement of the already city-approved Mesa del Sol Level "A" and "B" master plans and Mesa del Sol's complete and full build-out pursuant to those master plans. Base approval only came after serious, detailed and thorough review with its input being solicited by Mesa del Sol and the city of Albuquerque to those plans. The agreements with Mesa del Sol can serve as a national model of how military installations and growing communities can collaborate and work together....

With Albuquerque's population expected to reach approximately 1 million people in the next 10 years, this study will form the basis for a host of topics. It is of key importance to Mesa del Sol, as the base, Isleta Pueblo, the South Valley and the airport are our closest neighbors. This study is crucial to minimize and eliminate potential future conflicts between the base, local businesses and homeowners. For example, the survey asked questions about land use and economic development and asked questions and solicited comments on the area's transportation issues, including new base access from the south.

Mesa del Sol and KAFB have a unique relationship and have been working toward common goals for more than 15 years, even while the community was still in the earliest planning stages. Both organizations have signed several formal documents to "coexist and grow together" and "work to enhance two vital sources of economic strength for this community." These agreements have settled all potential issues between the base and Mesa del Sol. We know of no other development to do this....

In conjunction with the 2001 successful efforts between the base, the Department of Energy and the New Mexico State Land Office designating La Semilla as a 5-mile by 1-mile separation between KAFB and Mesa del Sol, we are confident that the two entities have no present or future negative impacts on future success for either entity. La Semilla's designation as open space and an environmental research park means this buffer is itself distinctive and will add great value to the community while being a huge gesture showing the Air Force that we as a community have gone that extra mile to support the base's mission. This is unique in our nation....

We work with KAFB and hold regular meetings on how we can continue to work together to make Mesa del Sol's development and the base's missions as complementary as possible. These meetings are just another way our two organizations are providing mutual support for the continued growth and success of both.... At Mesa del Sol we are eagerly awaiting the final results of this important planning effort. We know that it is designed to ensure our continued economic development while maintaining and growing the missions at the base. We know that because of our relationships with our neighbor, the joint land use study has the potential to affect us all in a positive way.

Tribune: Managing Albuquerque's Metro-Area Growth

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:54:06 +0000

The following article ran in the Albuquerque Tribune. Read the article online here, including related stories and photos.

Managing Albuquerque's growth poses challenges with 1 million people projected for 2021

By Erik Siemers
Monday, September 17, 2007
Albuquerque Tribune

Photo by Steven St. John / Tribune

Hot-air balloons float on the horizon as dawn breaks in a housing development near the intersection of Paradise and Lyon boulevards Northwest. Growth in and and around Albuquerque is predicted to continue in the next few decades, with metro-area population expected to hit 1 million by 2021 at the latest. The skyline might change, however. Some planners predict Albuquerque - one of the least dense cities in America - might soon start growing upwards as well as outwards.

Way out on the West Mesa, the desert is vast and empty. A new building looks like the start of a civilization.

That's exactly how the newly christened Eclipse Aviation Customer Training Center appeared last week: a glistening square set like a ring box on a tarp, a bump surrounded by empty space and a vision of the future.

The building, the fledgling jet-maker's first at Double Eagle II Airport, could symbolize potential - both for the company and for a metropolitan area poised to reach a significant milestone.

It won't be long - about 14 years prognosticators say - before the Albuquerque metropolitan area will reach a population of 1 million.

Public officials and business leaders see companies like Eclipse as catalysts for such radical regional expansion.

But what does the Albuquerque area need to do to prepare?

What does it mean to hit the 1 million mark?

"A million is just a number, theoretically no more superior than 999,999," said Keith Bartholomew, an assistant professor of urban planning at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. "But to the extent that it has symbolic value and is indicative of a fast rate of growth, what it provides is a wonderful opportunity and a huge challenge."

Reaching 1 million would put Albuquerque in an exclusive, if growing, club. U.S. Census Bureau data shows about 50 metropolitan statistical areas in 2006 had a million or more people - from New York City's nearly 19 million, to Salt Lake City, which reached the million mark in 2002.

The Albuquerque metro area, now with about 830,000 people, will join the 1 million club sometime in late 2020 or early 2021, according to projections from the University of New Mexico's Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

"The Albuquerque metro is in no way going to slow," said Mark Muro, policy director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C., think tank. "All the projections we have show continuing fast growth both driven by fast migration and natural increase."

Brookings projects that by 2030, more than 45 percent of all housing units and 63 percent of all commercial and institutional square footage in New Mexico will have been built since 2000 - a measure of the state's rapid growth, the majority of which comes from the Albuquerque metro area.

And between now and 2030, the Albuquerque metro area is projected to spend $1.9 billion just on improving and adding to the region's transportation infrastructure, said Lawrence Rael, executive director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, a regional transportation planning body.

"That's a significant amount of money, and we're talking about funding that runs the gamut: more capacity on the interstate systems, we're looking at more capacity building on existing infrastructure within the city," Rael said.

Gabriel Nims, executive director of 1,000 Friends of New Mexico, a smart-growth advocacy group, said reaching 1 million people is less important than how we reach that mark.

"The number isn't so (important) as much as if we're living sustainably with the population we have now," Nims said. "That's up for debate." Nims questions whether there will be sufficient change within the next 15 years to accommodate that many more people.

With growth comes questions of sustainability, including the tried-and-true issues of water availability and a need for improved public transit.

But it also spawns newer concerns.

Growth means more people, cars, buildings and, as a result, concerns over air quality, said both Nims and Rael.

Rael said the federal Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new regulations that would put greater pressures on metropolitan areas to be mindful of ozone damage when planning transportation networks and facilitating growth.

That could be especially true for Albuquerque. Of the 100 largest metro areas in the country, Albuquerque ranked 36th in 2005 for the most vehicle miles traveled per capita, according to the Brookings Institution. The metro area's average of 10,620 miles per vehicle ranked higher than the 9,209-mile-per-vehicle national average.

"The new regulations being proposed will put a greater responsibility on all of us in the transportation area on what we can and can't build because of the new standards," Rael said.

There's also the question of growing upward or outward.

To illustrate, consider this Brookings data: Of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, Albuquerque ranks 99th in density. There are only 88 people per square mile in the Albuquerque metro area - a far cry from the national metropolitan average of 467 people per square mile.

"Clearly, business as usual in the region is sort of a diffuse low-density, low-intensity, sometimes planned, mostly not, low-rise quasi-sprawl," said Muro, of the Brookings Institution.

Two of what could be the largest developments the Duke City metro has ever experienced are talking about a different approach.

Both Forest City Covington, developer of 13,000-acre Mesa del Sol in southeast Albuquerque, and SunCal Cos., developer of 55,000 acres on the West Mesa, have employed planners that emphasize the use of mixed-use, mixed-density developments and the preservation of open space.

Without changes in the way the region has developed thus far, elements of which are criticized as urban sprawl, Nims said the region could be in danger.

"If we go down the current pattern of growth, I can almost guarantee you the quality of life in this city will be far more in jeopardy than it is now," Nims said. "To hit a million people respectfully and sustainably, we have to make major changes in how we accommodate growth."

The metro area's anticipated growth has led the Brookings Institution to see it as a test case for how emerging American cities work out growing pains on a regional level.

Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas, Nev., are all being watched by the think tank as part of a major study "arguing that the future of America's development trajectory is being worked out in these places that are full of new construction with much more coming," Muro said.

With so much construction, Muro said, Southwestern cities like Albuquerque show a greater willingness to explore new land-use and building techniques, such as the emerging trend of creating environmentally-friendly building codes.

"I think these places are arriving at serious challenges first. They are going to work out solutions at a major scale," Muro said. "It is a place to pioneer new models. We need large-scale new models in this country with the gravity of changes facing new places."

Not everybody is excited about these changes.

Georgia Tutt is a retired science and math teacher who has lived on the West Side for 15 years. She grew up on a farm in central Texas, and has an affinity for wildlife.

Each evening she sets out a little grain for a flock of pigeons that like to perch on nearby telephone wires and feed on the grain in the mornings. She fears the growing city, and its increased urbanization, might one day force wildlife, like her pigeons, elsewhere.

"I've been on the West Side 15 years. It's changed. There were vacant fields where the rabbits ran around. Like a 100 crows in the winter would lie down and look for something to eat," she said. "Now it's concrete and asphalt.

"It's just one little death at a time. But you can't stop it almost."

And there are some who see the region's potential as unlimited and exciting.

Just before he cut the ribbon on his new building, Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn recalled the moment 15 years ago when he first landed at Double Eagle II.

"Even then, 15 years ago, I thought, `This has potential,' " he said.

As he drove along Paseo del Volcan on his way to the airport last week, past a new Tempur-Pedic mattress plant, past a new Shamrock Foods distribution center, he started to see this land of promise turning into the land of prominence.

"I really started to think," he said, "that this is really going to happen."

Flashpoint: Traffic

The problem: Right now, it's not terrible. An average one-way commute is 21.3 minutes, according to the Census Bureau, compared with 29.6 minutes in Los Angeles or 26.9 in Phoenix. But the city is growing, and new roads might not help. "You just can't build your way out of congestion," said Lawrence Rael of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. "There's not enough land and there's not enough money."

Potential solutions: Better public transportation, planned on a regional level; flexible workplace hours to take the edge off rush hour; telecommuting.

Big hurdles: Public transportation projects can be expensive. Old car-bound habits die hard. "There's a lot of behavior that needs to change," said Cynthia Martin, a transportation demand manager for the University of New Mexico. "People have to get uncomfortable."

Flashpoint: Water

The problem: Supply. Annual water use today for the Albuquerque-Bernalillo Water Utility Authority is 101,000 acre-feet, compared with diversion rights from the San Juan Chama project of 96,000 acre-feet. The difference is made up by pumping groundwater and buying additional surface-water rights.

Potential solutions: Forty percent of annual use in the city comes from outdoor watering. That's a tall glass of water that could be tapped with incentives or mandates to use less. Other possibilities include reusing treated wastewater, capturing rainwater and desalinating brackish water deposits. The city could also buy surface-water rights now devoted to agriculture.

Big hurdles: None of that is cheap or politically easy. The price of water rights has skyrocketed, a trend that's expected to continue.

Flashpoint: Power

The problem: As the metro area grows, so does demand for electricity. Officials from Public Service Company of New Mexico estimate that power capacity will need to double by the year 2020.

Potential solutions: PNM's first focus will be reducing demand by offering incentives to use energy-saving light bulbs and appliances, programmable thermostats, said Brent Rice, PNM's director of innovation and technology. Other ideas include variable pricing - higher prices for electricity used during peak hours.

Big hurdle: Money. Conservation efforts won't keep PNM from the major cost of building new power-generation plants, Rice said. "It's not going to get us where we need to get by itself," he said.

Read the Albuquerque Tribune article online here, including related stories and photos.