SANTA FE, December 18, 2023 — The City of Santa Fe’s Community Development Department has released the second of two solicitations aimed at attracting potential bidders for the development of a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income, multigenerational neighborhood in the 550-acre Las Estrellas subdivision in north Santa Fe.
The Invitation to Bid (ITB) seeks bids from qualified developers to purchase the seven City-owned tracts—appraised at just over $5 million and totaling 228.5 acres—and to develop market rate, affordable, and senior housing, as well as open and recreational space and retail, office, and other commercial units according to the Las Estrellas master plan.
The ITB follows last week’s release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) intended to incentivize the development of affordable- and moderately-priced homes on Tract 6A, consisting of approximately 19 acres in Las Estrellas.
The deadline for submissions for the ITB is January 22, 2024. A pre-proposal conference is set for December 27, 2023.
"We continue to work with local developers to address our critical community needs. Housing is a priority. So is building neighborhoods where our families can live, work, and thrive. This is another great step forward," said Mayor Alan Webber.
"I want to emphasize that this transformative project wouldn't be possible without the teamwork between our elected leaders and our passionate City staff," said Rich Brown, director of Community Development. "Together, we're shaping Santa Fe to meet the ever-changing needs of our residents, ensuring increased and diverse housing options, vibrant communities, and job opportunities. We're in this together, for the people of the 'City Different.'"
When fully built out, Las Estrellas will be the largest mixed-use development in north Santa Fe, serving the busy Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Los Alamos corridor. Both Las Estrellas projects sit at the intersection of the departments of Land Use, Affordable Housing, and Economic Development, key areas under the umbrella of the Community Development Department. Staff in each of these areas have been charged with addressing Santa Fe’s housing crisis and creating opportunities for innovative, sustainable, inclusive development that contributes to Santa Fe’s economic health and vitality.
More information, including the full solicitations and all related documents, can be downloaded at sfpublicassets.org. Questions can be directed to Asset Development Manager Terry Lease at tjlease@santafenm.gov or to Asset Development Associate Nina Nguyen at nanguyen@santafenm.gov.
City Councilors Renee Villarreal and Michael Garcia worked closely with staff and the project team to shepherd the designation of Tract 6A as earmarked for housing affordability that goes beyond the City’s inclusionary zoning requirements.