Heads up, this one is a bit of a long one but we not only wanted to provide you with the outcome of the meeting, but also do a bit of our own research on what they provided. So grab yourself a cup of coffee and sit tight because this update is gonna be juicy. 

Luxury 1 Bedroom Apartments
The breakdown of apartment sizes is as followed:

• 11 Studios
• 94 One Bedroom
• 58 Two Bedrooms
• 2 Three Bedrooms

None of these units will be affordables and the developer has opted to pay the city a fee in lieu of offering any affordable housing.
When asked how this development aids our current housing crisis when the majority of units are 1 bedroom or smaller and none are offered as affordable, the answer provided was

“We are offering luxury apartments so people who can afford them can move into these, opening up affordable apartments elsewhere to those in need”

An interesting stance for a city that has high rent no matter where you live. And if you so choose to feed into this feeble justification, consider that there is no chance any complex will lower their prices, nor do we have any kind of rent control to actually protect those who are struggling with affordability.

And if it’s not clear enough by the small units, this is not intended for families. Its intention is to stick as many people as they can into a small lot so they can charge an exorbitant amount in rent and make as much money as possible. 

GreyStar Property Management has a 1 Star Review on TrustPilot
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.greystar.com

GreyStar Property Management is the chosen management company when the development is completed. I’ll let the reviews speak for themselves but will also point out that there is so much bad press about this company that former tenants even created a website to educate others in the bad management of GreyStar. (https://greystarnightmare.com/)

Have a look at what the CEO himself cares about most: “the bottom line” of course. I would guess this is exactly why they were chosen for this new complex. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9H_ft36OsM)

Addressing the Tierra Contenta Survey
There was a study done with Tierra Content Residents about Tierra Contenta itself as it continues to develop.  

Top Concerns about TC Expansion:

• Vehicle traffic, narrow streets
• Higher densities
• Big families in small houses
• Allowing apartments
• Spoiling view-sheds or existing vegetation, preserving open space
• 65% of TC residents want a grocery store

When asked about these concerns, it was clear that this new development does not take into account or help resolve ANY of these concerns raised by our residents. (https://tierracontenta.org/public-input/)

One-Half of the Full Picture
When viewing plans for the development, it was pointed out by one of the attendees that the half circle entrance faces the other empty lot owned by the same developer. While they would not provide comment on the plans for the next lot, it was speculated that this is only one half the apartments they intend to build. And based on the layout of the main entrance facing the empty lot, it seems likely they fully intend to mirror their first development. So there's a high likely-hood we will actually have double the amount of apartments at this location.

*Sorry we don’t have a photo for you. We are still waiting for the Developer to send us information from the meeting. We will update if/when we get that information.

Expect a lot of Blindingly White Stucco
The developer plans to use a lot of white for the buildings and entrance as well as some other very bright colors. Many attendees were upset as they felt it does not fit the Santa Fe aesthetic to which the only response was:

“there is a very big push to start using white for buildings in Santa Fe” 

Regardless of who is actually “pushing for white” it will certainly be a blinding facility in the sun. What’s also not so clear is how they intend to keep it clean or combat the inevitable blank canvas it will become for those who dabble in graffiti.

Urban Land Institute Case Study
We were provided a research paper from the Urban Land Institute “debunking myths” of Urban development. While there is much to be said about the paper’s questionable validity, it’s worth a read to understand some of the points they are trying to push with this development. But before you jump in, it's important to note who wrote this paper:

• While ULI is considered a non profit organization, their leadership team is full of commercial developers and real estate investment bankers and is funded mainly by their members. (https://uli.org/about-uli/uli-americas-leadership/)
• The ULI Chair's Fund was established by three ULI leaders. The fund’s purpose is to help ULI "respond to new opportunities, innovate and expand programs, and meet challenges. " Note that this has nothing to do on if they are viable solutions.
• The research paper reads very much “pro-build” and only provides sources that push the same point without offering any sources that dispute their wanted results.
• Because this is a generalized paper, there is no research on New Mexico or Santa Fe specific urban building and the effects of which, both good and bad, to have a clear picture about what to expect.
• It’s pretty clear that this organization puts out "solutions" that seem research-based when they are really policy positions that support the agendas of their members. 

But please read through the paper yourself to come to your own conclusions. And if you feel we got anything wrong, send us a message! (https://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/HigherDensity_MythFact.ashx_.pdf)

Contact your Council Members!
(https://santafenm.gov/elected-officials)

It is up to our community to vocalize that this type of development is unacceptable. We should be helping our community and building something our community members can invest in. Not building a cash grab facility that does nothing to aid the housing crisis.

FYI, we've also emailed Mayor Alan Webber but haven't yet received a response. Maybe you'll have better luck. 

Lee Garcia
District 3 Councilor
505-603-2454 (# provided at the meeting)
505-955-6814
lagarcia@santafenm.gov

Pilar Faulkner
District 3 Councilor
505-531-7642 (# provided at the meeting)
505-955-6818
pfhfaulkner@santafenm.gov

Alan Webber
Mayor
505-955-6590
mayor@santafenm.gov