In this Phase of the ‘Downtown Master Plans & Code Update’ project two Downtown Master Plans will be created for White Rock and downtown Los Alamos. These documents will establish a vision to guide the future development of the downtown areas. The plans will address the form and design of the built environment, parking, neighborhood protections, sustainability, and development density. Implementation strategies will be developed that will help inform the Phase 2 code update.

Downtown areas are critical to a community, often considered the geographic heart of a place. With their success, the overall quality of life is improved and residents benefit in multiple ways. Downtowns fulfill a plethora of functions; they provide employment opportunities, a mix of uses, they act as civic, historic and government core, they draw tourists, residents and neighbors to interact and socialize, and for entertainment, and finally they provide a sense of place and identity for the community.  

Los Alamos does not have an adopted downtown master plan. This project will generate a master plan framework for each of the downtown areas that aim to capture the community’s desires and develop strategies to achieve those visions. 

Key goals for the Phase 1 Master Plans as identified by the County include: