RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – A once-prized and long-closed golf course in the heart of Rio Rancho may finally be primed for a makeover. Developers are unveiling new plans to fill what was Club Rio Rancho with new homes, shops, offices, and more.
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Nearly a decade after it closed, it could be a major redevelopment in the backyards of hundreds of Rio Rancho homes. “I’m very sensitive to it because we back up to it, if it’s gonna be open space, plant some nice plants, cut down the dead trees, do something,” said a resident near the property. Neighbors are reacting to the new master plan outlined for more than 280 acres of the former club Rio Rancho. The old golf course and country club were shut down in 2016. A few years ago, developers behind Mesa Del Sol bought the property with the idea of rejuvenating the area.
Developers are now requesting city approval for a series of changes to the property, including a plan to divvy up the golf course into multiple new developments for hundreds of multifamily houses and town homes, a business park, and a shopping center. The north end of the property would also be refreshed, but kept as open space. Some neighbors said that while it’s early, they’re worried about traffic and maintenance. “You’ll have people walking all over the place, which it’s suppose to do. You’ll have people not keeping after their dogs, it’ll have to be raked from time to time, trash picked up. Whose gonna do that?” said a resident in the north area…