October 10, 2019

Main Street Complete Streets Construction Project

The Mayor's Table: Construction Update video:

Mayor Duckett and Public Works Director David Sypher provide an update on road construction on this episode of The Mayor's Table.  They explain how road surface conditions are evaluated and scheduled for maintenance, where to find information on all the enhancement projects around the city, public communication efforts and how they are maximizing your tax dollars.  They talk about the bike lane connectivity plan, changes in lane striping, safety and levels of service. Enjoy!   

Complete Streets Construction Update:

• Pedestrian access will be maintained for as long as possible.
• We will announce the sequence of construction once determined.
• We are mindful of each businesses needs.
• All the elements of the design have been analyzed by the foremost authorities through extensive public and stakeholders input over several years.  

The City is on track to publish the bid soon.  The City is adamant about avoiding impact to businesses during the busy season in November and December therefore construction is targeted to begin in early 2020. In preparation there are many other enhancement projects happening this year!  See below for the current list:

2019 Construction Season Update:

• Broadway Ave. & Miller Ave.
• Broadway Ave. & Orchard Ave.
• Broadway Ave. & Behrend Ave.
• Broadway Ave. & Auburn Ave.

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

Coffee with a Cop

On October 2nd, representatives from the Farmington Police Dept visited two coffee shops in Downtown Farmington. Our time at our downtown coffee shops was so much fun, even Spider-Man dropped in!  The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve by removing agendas and allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood.

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS

Weekly Happenings List:

• Wednesday's: Jazz Jam at Civic Center, 7pm-9pm.  Beginning in October the weekly Jazz Jam's will be held at the Civic Center.  This is a FREE event. See schedule for theme nights. THIS IS A JOLT WORTHY EVENT!
• Thursdays: Maker's Market in Orchard Park, 4:30pm to dusk. The Maker's Market features handmade, homemade, or homegrown items. Also features live music and is voted a JOLT-WORTHY EVENT!  Only a few more markets left so don't miss out.
• Saturday's: Three Rivers Tap Room will have local celebrity guest bartender's for the month of October.  

UPCOMING 2019 EVENTS

Upcoming 2019 & 2020 Events List:

• Candlelight: A Celebration of Halloween - Downtown at 115 W. Main, October 5th through Halloween.  Pop up show: Carnival Freakshow - Art, Oddities, and Freaks!
• Autumn Downtown Stroll & Art Walk- Downtown, Friday, October 11th, 5-9pm.  Many business will extend their hours of operation or be host to featured guest artists. 
• Dance Night - Civic Center, October 11, 2019, 7pm-11pm.  Back by popular demand - Dance Night with Breezin'. Get ready to shake off those workweek blues with this fabulous Four Corners group. With toe-tapping rock & country rhythm and a little bit of everything else, this band really hits the mark!  This Friday take the weekend by storm - or a cool breeze! Come out to see Breezin'! Tickets available online or by calling the Civic Center box office at 505.599.1148.
• Celebrate the Arts - Downtown, Artifacts Gallery, October 12, 2019, 7pm-10pm. Arts Gala celebrating the arts programs at San Juan College. Funds raised support the visual and performing arts programs at San Juan College. 
• Free Art Day - Downtown, Hustle Kindness Headquarters, October 12, 2019, 10am-12pm/noon. People of all ages and artistic abilities can create make-and-take art projects. This session will have fall-themed activities. The free art program is focused on eliminating barriers to the arts.
• Fall Navajo Song and Dance - Farmington Indian Center, October 12, 2019, 10am-6pm.  Open to the public and bring your own chairs.
• Children's Hope Foundation Comedy and Dinner - Civic Center, October 12, 2019, 5:30pm-9pm.  This is a fundraiser event (click link for tickets) that raises money to help families, of children who have cancer, disease or other sickness that requires a specialty doctor. Special Guest Comedian Mike Williams. Dinner attire - adults only.
• Fall Dumpster Weekend - Berg Park, October 19, 2019, 8am-3pm. Got trash to dispose of? There are two free opportunities the weekend of October 19 & 20.
• Oktoberfest - Downtown, Civic Center, October 20, 2019, 12pm-5pm.  Come out to Oktober-Fest and celebrate fall!
• Boo-palooza - Downtown, Thursday, October 31, 4pm-6pm.  Contact Michael at 599-8442 IF YOU NEED A CANDY STARTER PACK. VOTED A JOLT WORTHY EVENT! Family friendly Halloween party in Historic Downtown Farmington from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.! Enjoy games, dancing and a live DJ, costume contests and of course trick or treating. This is a Road closure event.
• Discovering Local Artists - Casa Blanca Inn, November 7, 2019, 5:30-8:30pm. Come out to Casa Blanca Inn and Suites, in historic downtown Farmington, located at 505 E. La Plata to see some of the best artists in fashion, jewelry, paintings, portraits and Native American fashion. VOTED A JOLT WORTHY EVENT!  The staff of the Casa Blanca Inn and Suites promises great food, great fun, great art and a great way to kick off the holiday season! 
• Giving Thanks for Our Veterans - Farmington Indian Center, November 8, 2019, 11am-1pm.  The Farmington Indian Center located at 100 W. Elm will host this annual dinner to honor, thank and recognize all veterans and their families for their service to our great country at the Farmington Indian Center.
• Two Hearts Wedding Expo - Civic Center, November 16, 2019 12pm-3pm. Plan your wedding in a day! The Two Hearts Wedding Expo features dozens of local exhibitors. There will be representatives from every size and category of wedding business, from large department stores to local specialty shops. ? IT’S ALL HERE! Fashion, music, tastings, venues and prizes. ? EXPERT ADVICE from the area’s top wedding professionals. ? SAVE TIME by seeing everything that you will need for your wedding under one roof. ? SAVE ON COST with discounts and offers especially for show attendees.
  
• Turkey Trot and Gobble Wobble - Orchard Park, November 23, 2019, 9am-11am. Join Farmington families for this annual special holiday event! Sign up for the 5K Turkey Trot, 2 Mile Gobble Wobble or just come for the food and fun.  This is a short road closure. 
  
• Small Business Saturday - Downtown, November 30, 2019. All day take part in the Small Business Saturday movement.  Contact Michael at 599-8442 if you will be a participating business.
• Holiday Art Walk & Miracle on Main Street - Downtown, November 30, 2019, 5pm-9pm. VOTED A JOLT WORTHY EVENT!  Celebrate the holiday season, local artisans and local small businesses at the annual Holiday Art Walk! 
• Festival of Trees - Civic Center, December 4 thru 7, 2019. Explore a winter wonderland amidst an indoor forest of artfully decorated Christmas trees at the annual Festival of Trees.
• Christmas Parade - Downtown, December 5, 2019, 5:30pm-6:30pm. Jump start the holiday season with Farmington’s annual Christmas parade. Bundle up for this evening parade of lights, through Historic Downtown Farmington, along Main Street. The 2019 theme is "A Magical Christmas".
• Riverglo - Berg Park, December 6, 2019, 6pm-8pm. Discover Farmington's holiday spirit along the Animas River! Luminarias, carolers and a live nativity transform the river walk trails and Berg Park for this holiday celebration.
  
• Reindeer Romp & North Pole Stroll - Orchard Park, December 21, 2019, 4pm-6:30pm. Farmington gets holiday ready with the Reindeer Romp 5K and the 2 mile North Pole Stroll! This family friendly holiday event is so much more than a Fun Run.  This is a short road closure. 

For more information on Downtown Events:

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. Included in this guide are the upcoming 2019 event dates for downtown.

For these and other activities around town, find a full Gateway events guide here.

More information on Events at the Civic Center:

• Dance Night - October 11, 2019, 7pm-11pm.  Back by popular demand - Dance Night with Breezin'. Get ready to shake off those workweek blues with this fabulous Four Corners group. With toe-tapping rock & country rhythm and a little bit of everything else, this band really hits the mark!  This Friday take the weekend by storm - or a cool breeze! Come out to see Breezin'! Tickets available online or by calling the Civic Center box office at 505.599.1148.
• SpookTacular - October 18, 2019 at 7:30pm. VOTED A JOLT WORTHY EVENT! Spooks, specters, and scaredy-cats contort and cavort through a high-flying circus of scare. Vampires soar, skeletons stagger, and acrobatic cats romp through a humorously haunted bazaar of the bizarre.
• 3 Red Neck Tenors - October 22, 2019, 7:30-9:30pm. The 3 Redneck Tenors are a new breed in the "tenor genre" - their musical comedy featuring classically trained veteran artists is like Duck Dynasty goes to Carnegie Hall - down-home laughs with big city music! These boys have seen it all, sing it all and make us laugh 'till we double over, reminding us that in life, it's not just the destination, it's the journey.
• Ronny Cox - November 8 & 9, 2019 - Join us on November 8th at the Farmington Civic Center to view “Deliverance” with Cox and hear him speak on his experiences filming on location then return the next day to listen to his music and life stories. VOTED A JOLT WORTHY EVENT!
  
• Blue Note Records 80th Birthday Celebration - November 15, 2019, 7:30pm-9pm. This tour will be celebrating Blue Note's 80th Anniversary. Under the watchful eye of its president, Don Was, they will be presenting three new artists in a spectacular celebration of the label and Jazz Music today. Only Blue Note Records, with their unique brand of cool, could assemble such a dynamic evening of talent and music!
• Music of the Night - A Musical Adventure - November 23, 2019, 7:30pm-9pm. VOTED A JOLT WORTHY EVENT!  John D. Smitherman most recently played the role of Raoul in the world premiere of the new musical Return of the Phantom. He has performed the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables in 2014 and 2015 to become part of the elite group that can say they have done "The Big Three" referring to the top three leading man roles in musical theatre; Jekyll & Hyde, Jean Valjean, as well as the Phantom. He has performed well over 100 different roles on the professional opera and theatre stages.
• Dance Night - November 29, 2019, 7pm-11pm. Dance the night away at the Farmington Civic Center with Stillwater Band.
• Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker - December 11, 2019 at 7pm. This Christmas give your family the gift of Moscow Ballet’s Gift of Christmas Great Russian Nutcracker tour! Step into a simpler time filled with sweet dreams and Christmas magic. With world-class artists, over 200 dazzling costumes, stunning sets, towering puppets and soaring birds, don’t miss your chance to ring in the holidays with this acclaimed Christmas extravaganza. The New York Times, “Hot Ticket!” Celebrate the cherished holiday tradition and relive the dream with Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Get tickets for the whole family now!
• A Christmas Carol - December 14, 2019, 7:30pm-9:30pm. A powerful story of redemption, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, has enchanted audiences the world over with its simple message of Holiday joy. Ebenezer Scrooge, that most unrepentant and miserly of fellows, is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own life: Jacob Marley and the Christmas Spirits of Past, Present, and Future.
• M-PACT - December 22, 2019, 7:30pm-9:30pm.  Hailed as “one of the best pop-jazz vocal groups in the world” by the San Francisco Chronicle, m-pact is respected worldwide as a cutting edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Emerging from an age of auto-tune and overproduction, this Los Angeles-based ensemble has cultivated a new generation of ears hungry for the fresh, raw power of nature’s “first instrument” – the human voice. Around the globe, audiences are mesmerized by the thrill of m-pact’s vocal acrobatics, innovative orchestrations, and commanding yet authentic stage presence.

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

Submit your event to the Farmington Convention & Visitor Bureau's calendar: 
https://farmingtonnm.org/events/submit-an-event   This is best and most extensive calendar in the region.  Is your event listed?

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 Guide 

The FCVB is also looking for those interested in advertising in the 2020 Vacation Guide.  Now is your chance to showcase your business to more than 100,000 travelers from across the world! 

DID YOU KNOW? The FCVB works strategically to market Farmington as an overnight destination. This includes Downtown Farmington.  For example, in the 2019 vacation guide three of the five featured adventures: Get Cultured, Get Artsy, and Get Hoppy, are of downtown merchants or attractions! They have been attracting visitors to Farmington via displays at the Durango-La Plata County Airport for a example. They also market in Albuquerque and Phoenix airports as well. Included in their campaigns are billboards and radio commercials, magazine ads and geo-targeted online buys.  Contact the FCVB for more detailed information on their strategic marketing campaigns and marketing opportunities.  

AND.....

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

Marketing and Public Relations

The City, the MainStreet program, and other partners use many avenues to promote our downtown; the collective business community, events and activities.  We will continue these efforts between now and start of construction.  This is a short list of those avenues.

• Press Releases
• Mayor's Table videos
• Open Houses
• Advertising - ex: banners, window signage and flyers
• Downtown Newsletter 
• Web Map
• Public Service Announcements
• Community Calendars
• Postcards
• Social media
• Radio
• Website
• Gateway magazine
• Event Booths
• Speaking Engagements

In the News!

The Municipal article profiling Farmington NM revitalization efforts and economic transformation efforts: click here

Daily Times photos on the newly formed Four Corners Musical Theatre Company's rehearsals for "The Musical of Musicals: the Musical!": click here

In case you missed it!

The Four Corners Film Festival was a hit!  See all of the photos from the festival, the fashion show, and VIP events on the Film Four Corners' Facebook page.

Gateway to the Imagination - A National Juried Art Show: Patrick Hazen and Richard Kynast, both local artists, received the Northwest New Mexico Arts Council Choice Awards.  Congratulations to Patrick and Richard!  This exhibit from fine artists from across the country will feature paintings, watercolors, sculptures, photographs, and mixed media and will be up at the Farmington Museum until November 30th. 

Electrical Vehicle Charger coming to Downtown!  On Tuesday evening, the City Council approved up to five public dual port electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations to be installed around town, one is to be located in the downtown area. 

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

Are you ready?

Dear Downtown Business Owner,

Business Resiliency Project (BRP) SURVEY CLOSED:

Other Small Business Resources:

• Spruce Up your Fall Marketing Plan.  SBDC partnered with Google on this one.  Join Google and Constant Contact for our annual holiday livestream on October 16th at 10am to 11:30pm. Prior to this workshop, visit Google.com/smallbusiness to create an action plan for your small business. Bring it with you to this livestream as we dive into three ways to reach customers, just in time for the holiday shopping rush. Topics include: business listings, online advertising, and email marketing.

WELCOME TO DOWNTOWN!

Shhhhh!  We cannot announce them yet, but we have several new business opening up soon in the downtown district, keep an eye out for the grand openings for these exciting businesses!

Downtown Farmington Awarded Grant Funds

Downtown Farmington: A MainStreet project has applied to the New Mexico MainStreet program and received grant money from the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance in the amount of $7,000 toward a pocket park behind 305 & 307 W. Main, named the Hidden Garden. Conceptual plans can be found at HQ. Look for this new development coming soon!  

Join the Movement 

If you are looking to get involved in the exciting things happening in Farmington, be sure to attend the monthly Farmington Action Team Meetings!  This is an excellent opportunity to network, help local causes or find help for your event or cause.  The Complete Streets HQ is excited to host the next Action Team Meeting.  See you at HQ!

October 25, 2019
Action Team Meeting 
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Main Street Complete Streets Headquarters

Stakeholder meetings: 

Next meeting will be October 14, 2019 at 9am (new time).*  Topics include:

• Public Relations and Marketing for Downtown.  Those that are interested in group marketing opportunities should attend this meeting.
• Construction updates

Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) meetings:

• Tuesday, October 15th, 2019 at 4pm.  Agenda items include:
  • River Trail development update
  • Local vendor at local event discussion
  • Main Street Construction project update
  • Downtown Farmington update
• Tuesday, November 19th, 2019 at 4pm.*

*All meetings are held at HQ at 119 W. Main unless otherwise noted.  Public is encouraged to attend.

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.
• Build stage at The HeartSpace behind Studio 116.  Need assistance placing pavers for stage area.
• Labor for future grant funded projects in the downtown area.  See grant projects list above. 
• 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!