REI plans to open a store at the Santa Fe Railyard Project in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2007. There are currently 7,000 active members living Santa Fe, who have shopped online at REI.com or at REI's store in Albuquerque. The store will bring 60 full and part-time jobs.
The Railyard project is a community vision that began with the city and the Trust for Public Lands purchasing a 50-acre rail yard in the city center in 1995. It will include a park, cultural museum, a farmer's market and mostly locally owned retail shops.
Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation has approved REI as a tenant in the retail portion of the project. REI has entered into lease negotiations with the Railyard Company, the developer, to lease approximately 28,000 square feet of retail space. The developer will not be seeking an amendment to the master plan to build the store.
“We have heard the community concern that an accommodation for increased height would represent a significant change to the vision laid out in the master plan,” said Doug Schmidt, REI Regional Retail Director. “We are working with the Railyard Company on an alternative design that works within that vision.”
“We are honored to be invited to be part of this special community project,” Schmidt said. “We think it aligns well with REI's commitment to community and parks.”
