The Midtown District Santa Fe

Midtown is more than a redevelopment project: it's a blueprint for Santa Fe's future. It combines Santa Fe's historical strengths with a renewed focus on the creative and cultural economy. The district will foster the arts, local businesses and jobs, environmental design, and community living with affordable housing and open spaces to shape Santa Fe's future, aiming to preserve what makes Santa Fe unique while preparing for what's next.

Community Benefits

The Midtown Community Development Plan provides specific requirements and objectives using a sustainable development framework: 

• Environment – Focused on land uses and urban design that create pedestrian- and bike-friendly streets, as well as green building and resilient infrastructure. 
• Equity – Focused on the developer of new housing choices for residents, including affordable housing for low-income households. 
• Economic – Focused on facilitating jobs and career paths and building on industries and businesses unique to, existing in, and burgeoning in Santa Fe. 
• Culture – Focused on strengthening and highlighting community arts, culture, and entertainment. 

Midtown Redevelopment Plans

Discover the redevelopment plans that were unanimously approved based on broad and overwhelming community support.

Click here to view the Masterplan PDF

Click here to view the Community Development Plan 

Midtown Redevelopment Phases

Phase 1 (2024-2026)

• Redevelopment and Expansion of the Midtown Production Studio
  • 2024: Execution of the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) between the City and the developer, Aspect Village Studios. The developer was selected through a Request for Proposals issued by the City.
  • 2026: Rehabilitation of Garson Studios and the Benildus and Driscoll Halls, as well as significant landscaping and site improvements by the developer. Upgrades to infrastructure to increase film and multimedia production capacity. New restaurant/retail spaces will be developed alongside solar panel installations and other green building improvements.
• Redevelopment of the Midtown Visual Arts Center
  • 202: Commencement of due diligence activities for the renovation and operations of the Visual Arts Center by the proposed developer, Midtown Art and Design Alliance (MADA). The proposed developer was selected through a Request for Proposals issued by the City.
  • 2025: Vote by the Governing Body for the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) between the City and the developer, Midtown Art and Design Alliance
• Redevelopment of the Midtown Performing Arts Center
  • 2025: Perform building analysis and operating studies for the renovation and reuse of the Midtown Performing Arts Center pursuant to the Midtown Community Development Plan
  • 2025: Continue to engage and evaluate proposals from qualified operators for the redevelopment and reuse of the theater complex
• Mixed-Use Development and Affordable Housing Development
  • 2025: Release Requests for Proposals (RFP) to develop new affordable housing.
  • 2025: Release Request for Proposals (RFP) for mixed-use residential/development projects
  • 2025: Enter into discussions with developers and, if advantageous, direct negotiations for the redevelopment of Midtown parcels
• Pubic Infrastructure, Site Improvements, and Open Spaces
  • Design streets and resilient infrastructure and stormwater management systems for implementation
  • Designs for open spaces, wayfinding signage, and other sitewide improvements
  • Secure funding for infrastructure and site work, including demolition of deteriorated and obsolete structures
• Midtown District Planning
  • Establish the broader Midtown District as a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area and create an economic development plan for the area.
  • Facilitate the development of a community-informed Midtown Adjacent Neighborhood Stabilization Plan through an inclusive, equitable public engagement process.

Midtown Production Studios Project – Aspect Studio Village

Click here to download the PDF presentation. 

Visual Arts Center Proposal - Midtown Arts and Design Alliance

Click here for more about the MADA development proposal.

Click here to download the PDF presentation. 

Move Midtown into Motion

Santa Fe Midtown Metropolitan Redevelopment Area: Narrative

02/18/25

Goals: Communicate the project's purpose, emphasize the positive opportunities for the community/neighborhoods, and implement the goals established by the Midtown master plan and public input received during that process.

Summary

The Santa Fe Midtown Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) is a bold step toward revitalizing the heart of Santa Fe. Building on years of community-driven planning, this initiative will transform the Midtown District into a hub for arts, culture, economic growth, and mixed-income housing.

By designating the district as an MRA, Santa Fe can unlock key funding sources, attract private investment, and improve public infrastructure—creating new jobs, enhancing walkability, and expanding housing options. This plan aligns with the Midtown Master Plan and community input to ensure thoughtful, sustainable redevelopment. With strategic public-private partnerships and financial tools like tax incentives and infrastructure investments, the MRA will move Midtown into motion, fostering an inclusive, thriving district for all Santa Fe residents.

Background

The Midtown Site, located in the geographic center of Santa Fe, and the broader St. Michael’s Drive / Cerrillos Road corridor are full of possibilities. The Midtown Redevelopment Plans, which included the Midtown Master Plan and the Midtown Community Development Plan, were unanimously approved by the City of Santa Fe Governing Body in November 2022 and January 2023. This marked a significant milestone for realizing the community and economic development potential of the city-owned 64-acre Midtown Site and the broader Midtown District.

The redevelopment plans for the Midtown Site capitalized on the groundbreaking planning and rezoning work approved in October 2016, known as the Midtown Local Innovation Corridor (LINC) Overlay District. Additionally, the Midtown District was designated a federal Opportunity Zone in 2017 to spur economic development by providing tax benefits to investors and encouraging long-term investments in low-income neighborhoods.

These efforts stand on the shoulders of the 2012 RE: Mike project. This process re-envisioned the St. Michael’s Drive commercial corridor. It established community priorities for redesigning and rebuilding the public right of way to create safe pedestrian and bike-friendly streets along a mixed-use corridor that incentivized housing affordability and transit-oriented development.

These critical public acts serve as the foundation for implementing the Midtown District's vision, goals, and plans. The district will center on arts and cultural innovation, create economic growth and job opportunities, improve socioeconomic equality, and present opportunities for mixed-income housing.

Next Steps – Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency

The City established the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) in 2024 and nominated an MRA Commissioner. The next step in the regulatory process is to designate the Midtown District as a qualified Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (the “MRA Area”) based on the findings of the MRA Area Designation Report (the “MRA Designation Report”) and to adopt an MRA Area Plan (the “MRA Plan”), both of which require the approval of the City’s Governing Body.

The MRA planning effort primarily focuses on urban places' economic development and includes community development objectives. This area designation will connect the city-owned Midtown Site to the broader Midtown District, which is generally defined by the LINC, Opportunity Zones, and the intersection of St. Michael’s Drive and Cerrillos Road, where three City Council districts meet.

The MRA designation will unlock tools for infrastructure improvements and redevelopment of underutilized areas that can support economic and community development goals. The primary objective of the MRA Plan will be to access various funding sources and incentives for projects within the MRA Area. The MRA planning effort will include a market and economic analysis to understand the opportunities associated with funding mechanisms and programs, such as tax increment financing, and link the MRA Plan's goals and strategies to those opportunities.

The first step in creating a qualified MRA Area is to develop an MRA Designation Report that meets the regulatory criteria established by State of New Mexico statutes for designating an area needing redevelopment. Once the MRA Designation Report is approved, the Area is formally designated as appropriate for an MRA Plan.

Following the MRA Designation Report, an MRA Plan will be created. This plan will identify specific redevelopment projects that, when implemented, will eliminate the blighted conditions and stimulate economic activity. These projects can include land/building acquisition, multi-modal transportation infrastructure, stormwater management infrastructure, community facilities, housing, and public places.

Benefits of an MRA Designation and MRA Plan

The MRA Designation allows for the contribution of Public Resources to Private Redevelopment projects, thereby helping catalyze reinvestment in the area. The MRA designation includes a corresponding MRA Plan that outlines specific redevelopment projects and activities. The MRA Plan will focus on unlocking critical opportunities, such as:

• Incentives for property owners: MRAs allow municipalities to offer incentives to property owners to encourage private investment. These incentives can include direct contributions of public funds, infrastructure improvements, below-market leases, land swaps, zoning changes, and favorable development bonds.
• Public-private partnership opportunities: MRAs allow property owners to engage with local governments in projects that involve the contribution of public funds to the redevelopment of private property. This also includes entering into development agreements to redevelop underutilized public properties.
• District-wide public improvements: MRAs allow for the effective planning and construction of public infrastructure and right-of-way improvements, including streetscaping, transit-oriented development, stormwater management, and utility upgrades. They also allow the municipality to contribute public resources to infrastructure upgrades that benefit private landowners, including waiving fees.
• Increased commercial activity and job growth: Through the designation and planning for MRAs, many communities attract and grow commercial activity in an area, leading to long-term redevelopment and a stronger local business market.
• Tax Incentives & Financing Tools: A municipality may offer tax abatements and/or establish a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) or Tax Increment Development District (TIDD). The municipality may also issue MRA Bonds for private projects. These tools do not change or increase taxes. Other available financing tools include:
  • Property Tax deferrals or credits
  • Issuance of Revenue Bonds
  • State/Federal Brownfield funding opportunities
  • NMMFA Low-Income Housing Tax Credits bonus points
  • CDBG Funding eligibility (without meeting LMI criteria).
• Facilitate public/private partnerships: MRAs are exempt from the Anti-Donation Clause because the activities authorized by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code are considered to be in the public interest.  MRAs allow local governments to sell public assets, enter into public-private partnerships, and issue bonds, loans, and grants. Other perks include:

Allows the sale of public property at “fair value” (below appraisal) when there are tangible public benefits through Development Agreements

No prohibition on “Retail Uses” as exists in LEDA (>10,000 pop)

“3-60A-48. Liberal Interpretation: The Metropolitan Redevelopment Code shall be liberally construed to carry out its purposes.” Gives municipality discretion on how to best leverage MRA district opportunities.

The governing municipality, in this case, the City of Santa Fe, has full discretion on which of these incentives the City uses and prioritizes to implement the MRA Plan. These decisions will be made during the planning process with public engagement and in collaboration with City departments and elected officials.

Is Midtown an Eligible MRA Area

The State of New Mexico’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Act is designed to improve the economic growth, health, and well-being of an area identified as an area in need of redevelopment, which is defined by one or more characteristics of a blighted area, as follows:

• Deteriorated or deteriorating structures
• Defective or inadequate street layout
• Faulty lot layout in relation to size adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness
• Deterioration of site or other improvements
• Tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair market value of the land
• Diversity, defective, or unusual conditions of title and ownership
• Improper subdivision
• Lack of adequate housing facilities in the area
• Out-of-date or impracticable planning and platting, resulting in low levels of redevelopment, including commercial or industrial development

Many of these characteristics are applicable to the City-owned Midtown Site and some to surrounding areas within the Midtown District.  These will be described in the MRA Designation Report and addressed in the MRA Plan.

Click here to download MRA general information presentation (PDF)

MRA general information narrative (PDF) coming soon

Click here to download the MRA Designation Report (PDF)

MRA Plan (Available Q4 2025) coming soon