and municipal funds, is nearing completion. The facility’s location capitalizes on the region’s natural beauty. “This will be a space where people can have events with excellent views of the Franklin Mountains in El Paso and with beautiful sunsets and also the Rio branches just in the valley below,” Mayor Perea shares. Connectivity is another key focus, with investments in a Rio Grande River trail aimed at linking Sunland Park with El Paso and connecting various city amenities. “We’re trying to connect the sports complex with the entertainment district that we’re working on and the communities across the Rio Grande,” says Mayor Perea. “We are making small investments at our capacity to make sure that everything is connected to a unified and synergistic future.” ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT Sunland Park’s entertainment district is taking shape with several major developments now underway. A recent groundbreaking ceremony for the Independent Nation marks the first of multiple entertainment venues planned for the area, signaling the start of an ambitious transformation of this sector of the city. The district builds upon existing attractions, including a racetrack, casino, and a small amusement park that has recently changed ownership. “The amusement park was recently purchased by Traders Village out of Texas. This will be their first investment in New Mexico, and this will be an expansion of the amusement park as well,” Mayor Perea says.The area also benefits from established draws like Mount Cristo Rey, which “draws over 30,000 pilgrims every year.” The Rio Grande, flowing through the heart of the city, presents untapped potential for the entertainment district.“We have water running through the middle of our city and we haven’t capitalized on that. And whenever there’s water, there’s a lot of things that you could do with that,” Mayor Perea points out. Plans are already in motion to maximize this natural asset CONTACT Cesar R. Molina, AIA, LEED AP BD + C President and Primary contact 101 Maguey Ct, Suite 2, Sunland Park, NM 88063 Tel. 915-533-8482 nine-degrees.com cesarm@nine-degrees.com Nine Degrees Architecture + Construction Nine Degrees is a local design and construction practice providing regional municipal, institutional and commercial project development services. 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 02
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