Planners hope this Los Lunas Rail Runner stop will soon see a lot more customers

The village of Los Lunas is teaming up with the Rail Runner commuter train to attract new businesses and housing.

Los Lunas and the New Mexico Rail Runner spent 18 months on the plan. It was finally adopted last week by the village council.

Los Lunas officials said the stop could become a hub for the town, connecting it with the rest of New Mexico.

Round-trip tickets from Albuquerque to Los Lunas will cost $3. Village leaders say the low fair could make the area a popular tourist destination.

The state government gave an $800,000 grant to the Mid-Region Council of Governments—the organization that oversees Rail Runner operations. A portion of the grant will be used for things like crosswalks, sidewalks and bike paths.

Lawrence Rael, of the New Mexico Rail Runner, said they left it up to the village to plan what the area would look like.

"But the village needs to set the structure by zoning the property correctly and providing the vision for what they'd like to see this area look like in the future,” Rael said.

The station area plan includes an urban, downtown look, with condos, coffee shops, and restaurants. But village leaders are taking it one step at a time when it comes to attracting developers.

Residents said they want their village to maintain a balance between the old and new.

“As long as they keep the rural setting of Los Lunas the way it's always been throughout the years -- and I grew up here -- I don't think there's a problem," one resident said.

The New Mexico Rail Runner says the station plan will emphasize safety, with good lighting and crosswalks at the station and any businesses that decide to locate there.

The plan will take several years to compete.