Plan update prompts talk on city's future

Ideas for an update to the City of Tucumcari's comprehensive plan ranged from basic to fanciful, but several residents coalesced around a vision of infrastructure improvements and more trade-skill training that would boost the city's aged housing stock.

Albuquerque-based Sites Southwest oversaw last Monday's discussions and assessment and visioning exercises with about 30 residents at the Tucumcari Convention Center. A future meeting regarding the comprehensive plan update is tentatively set for February.

The city in September entered into a $50,000 agreement with Sites Southwest to update the plan. The plan's last update was in 2012.

Among those who participated in discussions were Quay County manager Daniel Zamora, city manager Paula Chacon, city commissioners Ralph Moya and Mike Cherry, future city commissioner Jerry Lopez and Tucumcari MainStreet director Connie Loveland.

Carlos Gemora of Sites Southwest said at the beginning of the session the plan gives a 20-year vision of the city's future. It is designed to guide decisions, build consensus regarding programs, document needs and offer a map for responsible growth for its infrastructure.

Gemora said Tucumcari's population saw population growth during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the city is beset by a 27% poverty rate and aging houses, many which were built from 1940 to 1959.

Of the threats to the city, residents participating in the session listed drug abuse, drought, crime, poverty, lack of recreational activities, outgoing migration of its youth and apathy.

Among the weaknesses written down were out-of-date regulations and ordinances, aging population and infrastructure, a lack of housing, social services and medical care.

One person wrote, "Seeing Route 66 as a problem, not a benefit."

Another wrote, "Nothing for kids."

One circled the phrase: "Adverse to change."

For strengths of Tucumcari, residents wrote Route 66, proximity to Interstate 40 and U.S. 54, ample groundwater, affordability, two nearby lakes, open space, an arts community, access to high-speed internet and Mesalands Community College.

When asked what residents wanted to see in Tucumcari in 20 years, among the answers were a microbrewery, cycling or hiking trails, more historic preservation of Route 66, a redeveloped Princess Theatre, multi-use zoning in downtown and more affordable housing.

One person wrote: "Make stray dogs a thing of the past."

A few residents also wanted basics such as better roads, reliable water and electricity, student housing for Mesalands and parks for children.

A few suggestions were unlikely - such as a zoo - or archaic, such as wanting a video-rental store.

Randi Eidsmoe said Route 66 often is underappreciated by locals as an economic driver and attraction.

"I'm going to keep banging this bell. We have Route 66; we have the gateway to the Southwest," she said. ""We have something that Clovis doesn't, that Clayton doesn't."

Zamora said Tucumcari's access to high-speed internet via Plateau's upgrades a few years ago often is big plus to prospective residents. He said Santa Fe and Fort Worth do not have as robust internet speeds throughout their cities.

Chacon adamantly voiced her biggest priority for the city.

"It's infrastructure," she said. "We need it for growth."

Late in the sessions, a group of about 15 people around a table that included Loveland and Zamora agreed the city needs to focus its infrastructure around the main corridors of Main Street, First Street and Route 66, plus have Mesalands offer more training in trades such as plumbing and electrical so residents can more readily rehabilitate its aging housing stock.

After the meeting, Gemora observed that much of the discussion centered around quality of life, infrastructure and housing - things that aren't seemingly related to each other.

"If tourism and quality of life is more of a short-term, high-cost and high-reward aspect, housing is a longer-term, lower-costs and lower reward," he said.