Alamogordo Commission Advances Blight Resolution Process for Patriot Pointe Project; McDonald Clarifies Legal Scope

In a well thought out 6–1 vote, the Alamogordo City Commission approved a resolution signaling its intent to collaborate with Otero County on a potential blight designation to support the Patriot Pointe apartment development.

The vote marks a critical step toward forward to potentially establish a metropolitan redevelopment area, though it does not yet commit the city to the designation nor to a blight designation. 

 Mayor Pro Tem Sharon McDonald’s Clarifying Role

Mayor Pro Tem Sharon McDonald, who is also a candidate for mayor, played a key role in ensuring transparency during the meeting. She requested that City Attorney Darrell Mori publicly clarify the legal implications of the vote. Mori explained that the resolution merely indicates the city’s willingness to explore the blight designation and to work with the county on next steps. “It is up to the county to declare the area as blighted,” Mori stated, adding that public hearings would be required before any formal designation.

McDonald’s inquiry helped distinguish between exploratory intent and legal commitment, easing concerns among commissioners and constituents. Her leadership reflects a broader pattern of civic engagement, as seen in her advocacy for historic neighborhoods like Chihuahuita and her work on infrastructure projects such as Alamogordo MainStreet's New York Avenue Makeover. 

Legal and Financial Safeguards

Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez noted that city staff initially opposed the resolution due to legal and financial uncertainties. She reinforced that after amendments clarified that the county—not the city—would bear the burden of any litigation, staff reversed their position and supported the initiative.

 Patriot Pointe: A Catalyst for Housing, or a Cautionary Tale?

The Patriot Pointe project proposes 114 gated townhome units backed by a $21 million federal loan, with rents expected to be around $950 to $1450 a month.

Supporters argue it will alleviate Alamogordo’s housing shortage, while critics question the long-term impact of tax abatements and out-of-state ownership.

Note: local Chamber of Commerce leadership claimed in a recent statement that they are leading this project and led the charge to secure $21 Million in funding for the project. The fact is the developer came to Alamogordo with a federally guaranteed financing of the project already in place. Proponents of the project were NOT the leaders in securing developer funding, the developer's reputation in past projects secured the federal loan guarantee. 

Statement from District 2 Candidate Evan Christopher Ross (Lambert)

Ross, who viewed the meeting, issued a detailed statement reflecting  support:

“Very interesting what I saw tonight at the Commission meeting. We have a very simple situation with incredibly complex solutions, often solely provided for by private interests outside of our community. That does come at a cost. We have been economically stagnant for at least a decade; while housing costs have become predatory, we have fewer and fewer dollars to even start to call it a cost of living. Most often we are paying folks from out of state that are expecting us to pay off their mortgage and all other costs of owning a home while also giving them a profit for doing so. All of that money is leaving our community. This is yet another problem to be solved. It’ll be good to offload 114 of our housing units to this place, but it doesn’t solve the entire problem. We need to do more.

That said, through this process I have seen an impressive & imaginative use of law to set a precedent that could, if used appropriately: benefit our community immensely moving forward. While I personally do not appreciate another gated community being built, I definitely appreciate the tools being given in legal precedence that would allow us to seek funding for revitalization projects across all of Alamogordo and Otero County. We, the folks here, can use this as a weapon against our socioeconomic crisis.

The commission voted 6-1 in favor and I am also in favor, if only for the opportunity it brings. We just have to take it.”

As Alamogordo city commissioners weigh options for solutions to housing needs and long term community impact, the Patriot Pointe vote marks not just a step toward possible more development —but a test of how far collaboration can go in shaping the city’s future.

📎 Sources

• Alamogordo Town News: Patriot Pointe Vote Coverage

• CitizenPortal.ai: Utility Plans and Development Background

• Sharon McDonald’s Community Projects and Advocacy 

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