The Las Cruces City Council has been briefed on the future of opioid settlement funds and an urban revitalization project during a recent work session. The City anticipates an influx of $9.8 million through 2038 from the National Opioid Settlement, a result of legal actions against pharmaceutical companies tied to the opioid crisis. On top of that, Las Cruces is awaiting to learn the amount it will receive from the $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma settlement, which was publicized on June 16.
During the session, Chief Administrative Officer Barbara Bencomo clarified that the city plans to utilize the opioid settlement funds with a few core principles in mind, namely saving lives, employing evidence-based strategies, investing in youth prevention, focusing on racial equity, and establishing a transparent process. The Opioid Settlement Advisory Council has outlined detailed recommendations for how these funds should be managed, as detailed by the City of Las Cruces.
Further updates were provided on the El Paseo Road and South Solano Drive Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA). An MRA specifically addresses localities with blighted conditions, paving the way for boosted economic activity and improved living standards. Sites Southwest presented a draft of their plan for the El Paseo-Solano MRA, a project initiated in April 2024 that incorporates public feedback and suggestions gathered in collaboration with city staff. This ambitious plan is set to enhance safety, mobility, and economic prosperity along the concerned corridors.
