Los Alamos Reporter

County: Council To Hear Presentation On RV Park Feasibility Tuesday Evening

Concept map from the feasibility study showing how an RV park might fit along NM 502. Courtesy LAC

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos County commissioned a feasibility study on the County property south of Los Alamos Airport to see if an RV park could work there. County staff will present the study’s findings at Council tomorrow at their regular session starting at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. This presentation is the first step in determining whether this is a project that Council and the community desire.

No formal action—guidance or direction—is being asked of Council as this information is being shared to enable it to be part of the strategic planning conversation next week and consideration of the Comprehensive Plan in December.

The need for a full-service RV park has been discussed and recommended as far back as 2016 when citizen committees identified it as a useful amenity for the newly established Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MPNHP). The idea was incorporated into the 2018 Tourism Strategic Plan. Sites such as DP Road and adjacent to NM502 were discussed, though no specific site was given in the Tourism Strategic Plan. Instead, the tactic was:

“Identify parcels for new RV parks in both Los Alamos and White Rock using criteria established by MPNHP Transportation sub-committee.  Issue an RFP for an operator(s). Identify and facilitate a business to invest, develop, and manage a new, high-quality, full-service RV Park for anticipated increase in tourism” (2018, Tourism Strategic Plan).

At the time, an RV park had been considered to improve our tourism economy. Now, it could also be part of addressing housing shortages and costs as the need for housing construction workers, seasonal firefighters, and seasonal employees frequently comes up. Several housing developments have been built or are planned along DP Road, so the land adjacent to NM502 was analyzed for feasibility. Feasibility studies are a good starting point to ensure a concept is possible, before moving forward with any level of planning and public engagement.