By Ray Powell
January 9, 2006

OP ED

In New Mexico, the answer is yes. And the Journal’s New Year’s Day front-page story on Mesa del Sol (MDS) is proof that, collectively, we’re beginning to have a better idea of how to use it. It was an optimistic way to begin the new year.

However, the article did not mention some of MDS’s history, which is important to keep in mind because of what it teaches in terms of the use of our state trust lands, of which MDS is a part.

Revenue from state trust lands (nine million acres of surface rights and 13 million acres of subsurface rights) are used to fund New Mexico’s public and special schools, universities and children’s hospitals. As the former Commissioner of Public Lands, my office had the opportunity to develop a plan for the MDS area’s use. The area had previously been scheduled for sale, but fortunately, the deal fell through.

Encompassing 20 square miles, it is one of the largest development projects in a metropolitan area in North America. The area is comparable in size to the Northeast Heights. We recognized that a land parcel so close to metropolitan Albuquerque had the potential to increase dramatically in value. It also had the potential to establish a new standard for land use and provide a huge economic boost for the entire state.

Our Mesa del Sol plan won national awards, including one from the President's Council on Sustainability. Our strategic plan of “jobs first”, to reduce sprawl and create economic opportunity for the region, is being implemented by the master developer that I chose - ForestCity Covington. Our vision of a sustainable energy mesa is coming to fruition. The first tenant at the business park is a company that is a national leader in solar energy technology. In addition, I established La Semilla, a 3,000 acre nature preserve next to the master planned community and within the city limits of Albuquerque. I believe that this is the largest nature preserve within a metropolitan area in the world and will give our residents a wonderful place to celebrate and learn about nature. In addition, it insures an appropriate buffer for mission growth at Kirtland Air Force Base.

We also wanted to see the beneficiaries of state trust lands receive the benefit of the increase in value the land would experience, not just pocket the purchase price of the raw land. This was accomplished by partnering with the private developer to make sure that the Trust shared in the increase in value of the development. In addition, it also ensured that the local community could greatly influence the type of development that occurred and thus optimize this extraordinary opportunity.

Now, Mesa del Sol is rapidly becoming a reality and the project will generate BILLIONS of dollars for New Mexico's schools over the 50-75 year life of the project. The point is that this model can be used repeatedly throughout New Mexico as a way of retaining the economic upside of our state trust lands for the benefit of our educational system while helping our communities prosper. It also shows that by working together, the public and private sectors can create a plan that benefits both.

New Mexico will continue to be a state where those seeking a calmer, less expensive lifestyle will relocate. These refugees from sprawl and traffic will bring high tech expertise and home equity with them. Because this growth is inevitable, we’re faced with finding ways for our communities to expand, without allowing that growth to ruin the health of our lands and diminish the quality of life we treasure here, or recklessly misuse our precious water resources, without which none of us can survive.

With its xeriscape landscaping, pedestrian-friendly byways, alternative energy use, public transportation, and high-density housing combined with generous open space and good schools, Mesa del Sol presents the model of how all of New Mexico’s municipalities can welcome low-impact businesses, as well as new residents, without making the cities of our state into poor copies of Phoenix and Las Vegas. And the bold decision to not just sell our land to new occupants, but negotiate a basis for retaining an interest in it, provides an ongoing means to funding the school systems that will bring our children, and theirs, the education, job skills and awareness they need to prosper in the future.