New Mexico
Bernalillo County reassessing vacant properties
From boarded up doors to broken windows, we’ve all seen vacant lots around town.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – From boarded up doors to broken windows, we’ve all seen vacant lots around town.
The county assessor has a list of all of nuisance properties and has a plan to clean things up.
“I quickly found out that many of the buildings that have been boarded up and sitting vacant now are actually owned by out-of-state corporations, holding companies or investment companies that are essentially using New Mexico as a write-off state to offset their real estate profits in other parts of the country,” said Damian Lara, a Bernalillo County assessor.
In the middle of a housing crisis, Lara says vacant buildings are the last thing we need. For the last year, he has been reassessing properties on the nuisance list.
“We are assessing it as it was the highest and best use. That could be a restaurant, affordable hosing, a rental property, it could be retail stores, warehouses. We are assessing it at what it should be, not what it currently is,” said Lara.
So, what does this mean for these out-of-state property owners?
“Normally, a higher evaluation for these specific properties will result in a higher tax bill,” Lara said.
Lara says that isn’t always a bad thing when trying to turn vacant buildings into something.
“Reassessing vacant properties encourages and incentivizes these property owners to invest in their properties or to sell it to someone who will,” said Lara.
There have also been some success stories, like the old Ramada Inn.
“The property owners are coming in, working with us and saying’ you know ‘We have known that this property has been boarded up and neglected for many years, and now we are renovating it, here is the cost to cure it, will you give us credit for that,’ Absolutely,” said Lara.
Lara says some business owners have protested their higher evaluations. But, for the most part, the program has been successful and there hasn’t been a lot of push back.
The City of Vision is making major moves with renewable energy. This comes after city leaders cut the ribbon on a solar farm project years in the making.
RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The City of Vision is making major moves with renewable energy after city leaders cut the ribbon on a solar farm project years in the making.
“That is an incredible $850 million investment in the City of Rio Rancho. That is the portion of Rio Rancho that does go into Bernalillo County,” said Rio Rancho Mayor Greg Hull.
Hull is talking about the new Atrisco Solar Facility near Double Eagle Airport. The one-of-a-kind 364-megawatt complex will supply electricity to PNM customers.
“This was 2,300 acres of property, the largest solar farm and battery solar facility of it’s type in the state of New Mexico, and one of the largest in the United States,” said Hull.
Hull says this shows Rio Rancho is serious about renewable energy as a power source for homes and businesses.
“In this particular case it takes a giant step forward because this particular solar farm will be able to generate enough energy to support 110,000 homes. That is double the amount of homes that are in Rio Rancho right now,” Hull said.
The City of Rio Rancho worked with regional partners and investors to bring this solar farm to life. Six years later, the mayor says it was worth it to see the project through.
“This speaks to the fact that we are here, we are open for business, and we’re trying to attract industries of all types to make sure we diversify our economy, and make sure there are opportunities for everybody,” said Hull.
Revenue from the solar facility will go toward Rio Rancho Public Schools.
Duke running back Star Thomas has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. He has at least one year of eligibility remaining.
Thomas began his college career playing at Coffeyville Community College. He then transferred to New Mexico State and played multiple seasons there before playing the 2024 season with Duke.
This post will be updated.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – An upper level low pressure system is exiting eastward out of New Mexico and into Texas.
A few low clouds and some areas of fog may linger in portions of northern and eastern New Mexico through the mid-morning, but clearing conditions will take hold before noon.
However, additional weaker weather disturbances will bring a few more light rain and snow showers again late Thursday into Friday, mainly over northern New Mexico.
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