April 26, 2019

Main Street Complete Streets Construction Project

Objectives for Main Street Complete Street as determined through extensive community meetings:

Have a Main Street that is SAFE for all citizens and modes of transportation
Respect and embrace the HISTORIC nature of the street and it’s buildings
Restore Main Street as a PLACE of Cultural and Social prominence in the community
Rehabilitate the Main Street to an ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE condition
Create an atmosphere which supports EXCHANGE at all levels

Objectives for engineering of the Main Street Complete Streets construction project:

Replace aging water, electrical, and concrete infrastructure.
Increase pedestrian walkability, safety, and accessibility.
Increase lighting within the corridor.
Slow down traffic with roundabouts and a road diet.
Widen sidewalks and increase connectivity between districts.
Install modern features like wifi and wireless sound system.
Create a destination for locals and tourists.

This project is currently in design and plans can be found at HQ at 119 W. Main.

PLEASE NOTE: We have recommended to City Administration and City Council that the Main Street Complete Street project timeline be extended to January 2020. This is based on several factors, the task of engineering the storm water improvements have proven to be difficult and more time consuming than originally estimated; we are adamant about avoiding construction during our peak holiday season (Nov/Dec); and this allows current and proposed projects in the surrounding area to be completed prior to the work on Main Street. The Main Street Complete Streets project is estimated to last 7-10 months.

2019 Construction Season Update:

STREET CLOSURE: Please be advised BEHREND Ave. between W. Main St. and Arrington St. will be CLOSED Thursday, May 2, 2019 through Friday, May 3, 2019 to allow for manhole installation. Construction Hours: Thurs & Friday - 7am – 6pm
Water line installation continues along San Juan Boulevard from Scott to American. Construction is estimated to complete in September 2019.
ADA ramps and sidewalk improvements continue along Broadway Ave.
Concrete replacement repairs and asphalt patching continues in the alleyways.

Should you have any questions regarding this project, road closures, or street restrictions, please do not hesitate to call Public Works Dept at 505-599-1308 or visit http://www.fmtn.org/633/Projects-and-Construction for all the latest on road projects.

Public Safety in the Downtown Corridor:

Please secure your property and dumpsters and remove any equipment or vehicles that could be used to access building rooftops and double check your doors and gates. Keep your exterior lighting on and place front window lighting on timers. If you have an emergency call 911. Report any other issues to non-emergency dispatch at 505-334-6622.

If you missed the Crime Prevention seminar and would like a complimentary walk thru of your work place, contact Officer Monclova at lmonclova@fmtn.org.

Also, since the approval of the expansion of the Park Ranger program, the six positions were listed on the City's website, and candidates are under evaluation. From this expansion we will be provided two Park Rangers for our existing downtown patrols.

As we enter into our summer season and peak time for visitors, help us keep our alleyways and sidewalks clean by checking them regularly for trash or maintenance. Please report any issues.

Weekly Happenings:

Wednesdays: Jazz Jam has returned to the pocket park behind Studio 116 from 7pm-9pm. FREE!
Thursdays: Maker's Market begins June 6th, 4:30pm to dusk. Vendor permits available now. The Maker's Market features handmade, homemade, or homegrown items. Also features live music and is voted a JOLT-WORTHY EVENT!
Fridays: TGIF begin's June 7th at 11am-1pm and will be held at the Civic Center's front outdoor plaza this season. Dickey's BBQ and The Chile Pod will provide food on alternating Friday's. Live music by Jose Villarreal on June 7th.
Saturdays: Saturday Dances at Bonnie Dallas Activity Center from 7pm to 10pm. Shine your dancing shoes and come on over.

Upcoming 2019 Events:

Summer Downtown Stroll & Artwalk: Downtown, Friday, June 14th, 2019 from 5pm to 9pm. Contact Tara at Artifacts Gallery and Karen at Studio 116 to sign up to host and how to be involved.
LGBT Pride Parade - Downtown, Saturday, June 15th, 2019 from 10am to Noon. This is a short road closure, traffic control will be removed immediately following parade.
Electric Light Parade: Downtown, Thursday, July 4th, 2019 at 9am. Road Closure is usually in place 1.5 hours prior to parade.
4 Corners Rod Run: Downtown, Saturday, July 20th, 2019 from 5pm-10pm.
Connie Mack Parade: from Downtown to Ricketts Park, Thursday, July 25th at 10am. Road Closure is usually in place 1.5 hours prior to parade.
San Juan County Fair Parade: Downtown, Friday August 9th at 6pm. Road Closure is usually in place 1.5 hours prior to parade.
Downtown Off Road Takeover: Downtown, Friday, September 6th from 5pm-10pm. 4x4 Off Road vehicle descend on the Downtown for food and fun and flex ramps. For more information.
NEW - Four Corners Film Festival: Downtown, September 10th-15th. This is a five day festival centering around the Civic Center and Downtown areas. On Saturday evening the 14th, there will be a Block Party on Main Street which requires a small road closure. Click here for more information.

Pick up your copy of the Merchant's Guide to Downtown Events from Michael at HQ at 119 W. Main. This a great resource for merchants, it has plenty of ideas on how to make the most of downtown events.

Find a full Gateway events guide: https://issuu.com/fmtn2/docs/gateways-summer-2019/56

Do you have an event you want to tell the 4 Corners about?

Submit your event to our Convention & Visitor Bureau calendar:
https://farmingtonnm.org/events/submit-an-event

Did you know? Memberships to the FCVB start at $50/year. This is a great way to get your business listed on one of the top performing websites in our community.

2019 Vacation Guides are out! Pick up a free copy at HQ or order a box through the FCVB, 1-800-448-1240.

Want to know the benefits of being a member of the Chamber of Commerce?

100 W. Broadway | 505-325-0279 | chamber@gofarmington.com | www.gofarmington.com

Small Business Resources:

We have been busy promoting our downtown businesses and events through our Instagram or Facebook Page; Downtown Farmington: A MainStreet project. Please like and follow our page for cross promotion opportunities and to add your event to our calendar. You can also tag us or invite us to your event to bring it to our attention. Don't forget to submit events to the Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau as well for a larger audience. Additionally, remember to help out your neighboring businesses by leaving a 5 star review on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and other social media outlets. We are beginning to see out of town and international visitors to the downtown area. Are you ready? Need ideas? See Michael for more information.

Business Resiliency Project (BRP):

Registration will be through our Facebook page or Eventbrite link and all classes are FREE. Registration is highly recommended for a headcount.

*All classes are held at HQ at 119 W. Main at 8AM on dates listed below unless otherwise noted. Mark your calendars!

May 8, 2019 - Developing Commercial Properties in the Downtown Area This is a Wednesday evening seminar held at Civic Center at 5:30pm. Join us for an informative evening and Q&A with our panel of experts. Refreshments will be provided. See flyer below for more information.
May 20, 2019 - Email Marketing & Desktop Publishing with Judy Castleberry.

Other upcoming topics may include Customer Service, Market Research, Business Credit, Marketing Plans, and Business Plans. If you have a specific need for a training in an area not listed here, please contact us.

Dear Downtown Business Owner, the Main Street Complete Streets construction project will be here before you know it! Don't let it sneak up on you. Are you ready? Are you in the strongest position possible to weather the impact? Don't wait to create positive changes. We want to walk along side you, come out the other side better for it, and help you celebrate the long-awaited changes. - Sincerely, the MainStreet program, the project team, and BRP resources partners.

Developing Commercial Properties in Downtown Area

New Mexico MainStreet Program:

Downtown Farmington: A MainStreet Project is part of the New Mexico MainStreet Program (NMMS). New Mexico MainStreet develops local capacity to engage people, rebuild places and grow the entrepreneurial, creative and business environment resulting in economically thriving downtowns, greater business and employment opportunities and a higher quality of life.
https://www.nmmainstreet.org/

Do you have an improvement or idea or educational need that qualifies to be a recipient of this program? Contact Michael Bulloch, your NMMS Director, at 505-599-8442.

Arts and Cultural District:

Want to get involved? You do not need to be a committee member to be involved or to attend the meetings. Contact the Executive Director, Michael Bulloch at 505-599-8442.

Stakeholder meetings:

Next meeting will be April 29, 2019 at 10am.*

Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency meetings:

NEW DATE: Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 at 4pm.*
Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 at 4pm.*

Now that there is an updated MRA plan, the board is prioritizing the projects identified within the plan. Join in on this discussion and help shape our three districts.

*All meetings are held at HQ at 119 W. Main unless otherwise noted. All meetings are open to the public.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Opportunities to volunteer are available. This is a way to help out along side your fellow downtown neighbor. Contact Michael for more information.

Help out artists with upcoming mural installations.
Labor for future grant funded projects in the downtown area.
Our local non-profits can always use a hand! Contact Hustle Kindness Headquarters or The ARC of San Juan County.
Mayor's Volunteer Program - an opportunity to put your knowledge, talent, and energy toward improving the quality of life in our community.

Our Goal:

The purpose of this newsletter is to be transparent and open about our plans for this large-scale infrastructure investment with the downtown stakeholders. We recognize the potential for economic growth that could result from a project of this magnitude, but also the challenges that come. Additional details on any of the above referenced items are on file at HQ at 119 W. Main or on our website. Feedback is always welcome and participation is always encouraged!

Contact Us:

Michael Bulloch
Downtown Coordinator & Executive Director for MainStreet Program and Arts & Cultural District

119 W. Main Street
505-599-8442 office
505-716-6057 cell
mbulloch@fmtn.org

Sherry M. Roach
Project Coordinator
119 W. Main Street
505-599-8443 office
505-427-1512 cell
shroach@fmtn.org