West Old Town FAQ’s
Blurb to the West Old Town community members and placeholder for questions or input ahead of the town hall
Site Plans & Renderings
What’s next?
The next segment moving toward construction is in West Old Town. This section will eventually help connect the Bosque Trail to Rio Grande with a safe walking and biking path. Work on Hollywood Alley is expected to begin this summer/fall, with BioPark sidewalk work planned for the fall. The Rail Trail will continue to grow in phases, one segment at a time.
General
How will the proposed trail impact the safety of children which are currently using the proposed trail location to access Reginald Chavez Elementary School and what route is proposed for said children if the trail is located at the proposed location?
Once open, the trail can provide a safer off-street route for students and families who choose to walk or bike in the area. Today, the alley is gated and is not an open public route. The completed trail would give people a separate path away from cars, which is especially helpful in a neighborhood with narrow streets and limited shoulders. As design moves forward, the City will continue looking at safe crossings, visibility, and routes that work for families.
Safety and Crime
How many additional users are projected?
Based on the completed Sawmill segment, the City expects a modest number of users at first, roughly 20 to 50 people per day during the first year. Use may grow over time as more Rail Trail segments are completed and connected.
Will Rio Grande, Hollywood, or Edna be altered?
Rio Grande will have a HAWK signal installed at the intersection of Hollywood and Rio Grande. This type of signal helps people walking and biking cross more safely. Edna is not expected to be altered.
Are traffic impact studies complete?
Yes. A traffic study has been completed for the HAWK signal at Rio Grande. Traffic impact studies were not required for the BioPark-area sidewalk upgrades or Hollywood Alley because those improvements are for walking and biking, not vehicle traffic.
Traffic and Parking
I hear the Rail Trail will go through the West Old Town neighborhood. What is the plan for that? No other segment will go so close to homes.
The City acquired a vacant, roughly 1/3-mile-long parcel between Hollywood and Edna for this segment. The plan is to create a separated walking and biking path within the alley, with landscaping and design features that fit the character of West Old Town. The trail is intended to make walking and biking safer by giving people an option away from narrow residential streets. The design will also consider privacy, fencing, landscaping, and neighborhood history, including nearby acequias and traditional building styles. Community feedback will help shape the final details.
Will adjacent homeowners lose privacy?
Privacy is a top priority. The City expects to use tools such as fencing, trees, landscaping, and screening to protect nearby homes. In some areas, privacy may improve because added screening on City property can provide more separation than what exists today.
Will fencing be installed at city expense?
Yes, where it is needed. The City has reviewed existing fencing conditions along the Hollywood alley. Private fences will not be replaced, but the City may add fencing or screening on City property to improve privacy and comfort for neighboring homes.
How close is the trail to existing homes?
The alley is more than 40 feet wide in many areas, and the path is planned to wind through the space instead of running in a straight line along property lines. The goal is to keep the path generally centered where possible and use landscaping or screening to create a comfortable buffer.
Could lighting shine into homes?
Lighting will be designed to follow City rules and avoid shining directly into homes. The goal is to make the trail feel safe and visible while respecting nearby residents.
Will property values be affected?
Public parks, trails, and open spaces often support neighborhood value when they are well-designed and well-maintained. The City’s goal is to create a public space that improves safety, adds shade and landscaping, and becomes an amenity for West Old Town residents.
Will property owners on Edna Ave. and Hollywood Ave. have direct access to the trail?
The City wants to respect each property owner’s privacy. If a property owner prefers no direct access, that can be maintained. If a property owner wants to discuss a gate or access point to the trail, the City is open to having that conversation as design moves forward.
Property Impacts
What is the total project cost?
The estimated cost for the route from the BioPark to Rio Grande is approximately $3 million to $5 million.
Financial
What alternative locations were studied and why were they rejected?
The City worked with a consultant in 2023 to study other possible routes. Mountain Road was considered, but it would take the trail too far away from Old Town and the BioPark. Hollywood Avenue was considered, but the street is narrow and could create more conflicts with local traffic. Soto Avenue was considered, but it would require people biking to travel near Central and through an active parking lot, and the City could not secure all the right-of-way needed. The Hollywood Alley route was selected because it creates a more separated, comfortable path for people walking and biking.
The proposed location is currently zoned residential. Are there any plans to rezone the proposed trail location to other than residential?
No. There are no current plans to rezone the property. The proposed trail use is allowed under the existing zoning, so a rezoning process is not needed at this time.
Alternatives