Hull details what to look for in 2024

RIO RANCHO — After his five-minute State of the City video played on the big screen at Premiere Cinema 14 the morning of Nov. 2 at the NAIOP Rio Rancho Roundtable, he spent time explaining some details as to what the two dozen attendees had just seen, as well as take a short look ahead into 2024.

It was his 10th State of the City address for Hull, first elected mayor in 2014, with him saying, “We’ve come a long way.

“There were no road projects in 2014,” he said, knowing the importance of good roads for residents. “We’ve invested over $100 million on roads in Rio Rancho over the last eight years. … We still have plenty that need to be fixed.”

Among near-future road projects, he said, Quantum, Vortex, Laser and Northern are “all on the hit list here” for improvements; Northern Blvd. improvements were awaiting the completion of the state highway reconstruction of NM 528 from Crestview to Northern.

Of the 36 road projects completed in recent years, he said, waterline improvements were also added, where needed, with “no corresponding debt.”

Hull made sure to spread credit around to his staff, the city council, the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, Sandoval County and a few others.

“I’m not saying we crossed the finish line,” he noted, “but as you know, when it comes to fixing roads and infrastructure, there’s a starting line, but there is no finish line.”

Although he’s not up for re-election until 2026, Hull wanted folks to get a heads up about more general obligation bonds he hopes residents will be in favor of, again without an increase in taxes.

If the trio of GO bonds are approved, $10.6 million will be headed to roadway improvements, namely reconstruction and water utilities on Lema Road (Western Hills Drive to Chessman Drive), 19th Avenue (10th Street to Cherry Road) and reconstruction on Safelite Blvd. (US 550 to Enchanted Hills Blvd.); $4.1 million is targeted for public safety, including 17 new police vehicles; and $1.2 million will head to quality-of-life facilities projects.

Since he took office, Hull said RRPD now has about 145 sworn officers and the fire/rescue department is up to 125, with a fire training complex and Fire Station 8 on the facilities master plan.

“We make sure we support our first responders,” Hull said.

Operating efficiently as a city, Hull said, “There are less (administrative) people on the fourth floor today than when I took office” and “shows we are keeping government in check.”

Also on March 5, city council seats in districts 1 (Jim Owen), 4 (Paul Wymer) and 6 (Nicole List) come up for election.

In response to a question about the Unser Gateway projects expected, Hull said the rise in interest rates led developers to tap the brakes, but the Market Street Albertsons, Furniture Row and a new Blake’s Lotaburger haven’t been forgotten.

Hull said that massive vacant land north of Rust Medical Center is seeing progress when it comes to being “graded, bladed and compacted with infrastructure going in.”

“It’s an exciting time in Rio Rancho,” Hull said, anticipating more projects in the City Center area, highlighted in recent years by Campus Park, which will soon be expanded, as will the new Broadmoor Senior Center, soon due for Phase 2 expansion.

Financially, he said, the city has strong reserves with a permanent fund.

Hull also hopes for some retail development in that area, plus a localized workforce to meet such needs — with more affordable housing in the city for senior citizens, entry-level workers and young families.

Also getting close to becoming a reality, with rights-of-way being acquired, are two lanes of roadway in each direction between Cherry Road, where two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes begin, and Paseo del Volcan, from which multiple lanes proceed between it and King Blvd.

Long-awaited improvements to Northern Blvd., a 1.5-mile stretch from NM 528 to Rockaway Blvd., consisting of reconstruction and waterline replacement, and costing $7.49 million, has had its contract recently awarded, “and about to take off,” Hull said.

And in proximity to the Enchanted Hills neighborhood, Hull was optimistic about The Block at Enchanted Hills, innovative shopping in what were once shipping containers.

Hull said the recent growth in the Mariposa neighborhood has led to a “critical amount of traffic there.”

An even “brighter” highlight will be the replacement of more than 1,200 streetlights replaced with LED bulbs.

“We have the greatest city in the Southwest right now; that was our goal when we got started, and we definitely have the greatest city in the state of New Mexico,” he said.

Hull’s State of the City video may be viewed at rrnm.gov.