Love’s to expand operations in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, NM – Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores will expand its operations in Las Cruces, New Mexico, after the City Council approved at its June 6, 2022, meeting, the sale of a 12.74-acre municipal property located in the Industrial and Innovation Park to the company.

According to the City Council, the transaction was for $474,538, and the property is located just west of the truck stop at the intersection of Crawford Boulevard and Robert Larson Boulevard.

The property was appraised by a local appraiser in June 2021. The appraisal concluded at a value of $454,500 or $35,678 per acre. The City’s Bureau of Land and Real Estate conducted a second appraisal in May 2022 awarding a value of $456,000 or $35,800 per acre.

The Cabildo indicated that the sale aligns with the City’s strategic plan objectives, and economic development plans and Elevate Las Cruces program. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sales will go to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

A representative of Love’s told the City Council that the truck stop will be demolished and rebuilt on its expanded property. Upon completion of the work, the bus station will provide more than 60 jobs, with 75 percent of those expected to be full-time positions and 25 percent part-time.

In addition to the expanded facility, a dog park will also be built at the new truck stop, the company representative said. Love’s intends to develop the property as an expansion of its existing operation located directly east of the property.

The ordinance has been prepared in accordance with LCMC 1997, section 2-1312. The timeline for the sale of the land will occur on a mutually agreeable date between 45 days after adoption and within 30 days of the end of the Inspection Period.

Source: MEXICONOW Staff