On Small Business Saturday, Alamogordo MainStreet and the City of Alamogordo hosted a night of music and celebration for the community to mark the completion of their Great Blocks on MainStreet project, also known as the MainStreet Makeover.
This project revitalized the 800 and 900 blocks of New York Avenue, a $4.7 million investment that includes new utilities (main water and sewer lines), street surface, accessible sidewalks, landscaping with an irrigation system, lighting, benches, trash receptacles, wayfinding, decorative pylons, and artwork. It was supported in part by $2.9 million in New Mexico MainStreet Capital Outlay from the New Mexico Economic Development Department and $1.8 million from the City of Alamogordo.
After a year of construction, this project significantly improved access to local businesses, public safety, appearance, and walkability. New York Avenue is Alamogordo’s central small business district and is home to the city’s favorite local shops and eateries. It’s also the main site for annual holiday events and community gatherings.
“This project is a testament to the Economic Development Department and New Mexico MainStreet’s commitment to working with local communities to stimulate their local economies by creating more beautiful, safe, and functional public spaces that make it easier for people to access local shops and restaurants and gives local businesses and property owners the confidence to invest in their downtown’s economic growth,” said New Mexico MainStreet Director Daniel J. Gutierrez.
Alamogordo MainStreet Board President Claudia Loya added, “What an incredible moment for downtown! On Saturday, we gathered with our community, the Mayor, and our City Project Manager to officially cut the ribbon on the MainStreet Makeover — and honestly, it just felt amazing. New York Avenue is open again, and even though we still have a few small things to wrap up, the energy on the street is already something special. We’re so proud of our business owners for hanging in there, and so grateful to every partner who helped make this transformation happen. Downtown Alamogordo is shining again… and this is just the beginning.”
Alamogordo’s revitalization of New York Avenue also contributed to other substantial investments in the district:
- The city awarded three local LEDA awards to incoming businesses:
- $1 million to RAD Retrocade$1 million to Inkwell Innovation Center
- $1 million to Sands Theater
- Private entities also invested in the district:
- ~$600,000 from the Oppenheimer Gasthaus German restaurant
- ~$2 million from the Pymo Bistro in the historic AVIS building
This public infrastructure project created many positive ripple effects and investments in Alamogordo’s business community for years to come.
In addition to their grand opening event, Alamogordo MainStreet hosted a celebration to honor Board President Claudia Loya who received the Mary Means Leadership Award from Main Street America last spring. The award is the highest honor one can receive from Main Street America. Claudia is the first volunteer and New Mexican to receive this prestigious award. This celebration recognized her visionary leadership and tremendous impact on downtown Alamogordo.
“When I say Claudia cares about your businesses, actual lives, and livelihoods I mean it. She has poured almost every ounce of her free time into making sure this district not only survives but comes out stronger,” Alamogordo MainStreet Executive Director Nolan Ojeda said in his speech at Claudia’s celebration.
New Mexico MainStreet hosted their annual Institute network event in Alamogordo last October, bringing nearly a hundred community economic developers from across the state to the city. This event brought together MainStreet leaders and partners for three days of hands-on learning focused on planning and strategies for successful projects with the Alamogordo MainStreet Great Blocks Project as a learning lab. The event was a tremendous success because of the hospitality and reception from Alamogordo MainStreet and the City of Alamogordo.
Photos courtesy of Leighton Moon. View more photos from this special event.