Behind the story: How Mesa del Sol has evolved

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The pace of change is accelerating at planned community Mesa del Sol, shown here in a 2013 file photo.

Rachel Sams

Editor-in-Chief- Albuquerque Business First

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This morning, ABF reporter Damon Scott sat down with Manny Barrera and Karl Smith, two of the key players who will be leading Mesa del Sol into its next phases.

Mesa del Sol is a giant 13,000-acre master-planned community that's seen lots of change over the past few years.

Last year, developer Forest City Enterprises sought to shed its stake in Mesa del Sol in a deal that would have given longtime Mesa del Sol executive Michael Daly part ownership with Covington Capital.

But Daly left in March to become chief operating officer of New York City-based Jonathan Rose Cos. and the deal never happened. Later, residential development director David Newell moved on to become division president of RayLee Homes.

The pace of activity at Mesa del Sol has picked up this year. Nova Corp. is moving into the Schott Solar building, vacant since 2012, and Mesa del Sol's Aperture Center has found a buyer.

We'll continue to track what's happening out at Mesa del Sol. For now, if you've got Mesa del Sol on the brain, NAIOP's hosting an event on the future of Albuquerque's master-planned communities tomorrow morning, and Barrera's one of the speakers.

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505.348.8322 | rsams@bizjournals.com