New Mexico MainStreet’s Great Blocks on MainStreet program is like “a façade squad on steroids,” said former NMMS director Rich Williams. It’s a redevelopment and placemaking program targeting significant public infrastructure deficiencies within New Mexico’s historic and downtown cores. The goal of the program is to increase economic activity, attract business investment, revitalize the creative economy, and improve safety & pedestrian accessibility. Projects are included on the locally-adopted Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan (MRA), and demonstrate strong local support & partnerships. These projects require intensive planning & design work to improve public infrastructure while preserving local history, engaging local businesses, and improving pedestrian & street environments.
Great Blocks is funded by the NMMS program, as well as local & federal funding. In Dec. 2017, NMMS received a $35,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund Great Blocks projects in Belen, Las Vegas, Raton, and Tucumcari.
Raton was the pilot project for the Great Blocks on MainStreet program starting in 2015. This catalytic project is located in Raton’s historic downtown district on First Street between Park & Cook Avenues. Raton MainStreet worked closely with the City of Raton as well as property and business owners in the district to complete the project.
This project was completed in the Summer of 2021 and accomplished:
- façade improvements
- wayfinding signage
- lighting improvements
- street & pedestrian enhancements such as new street surfaces, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, crosswalks, trees, benches, parking enhancements, and safety features
- public art installations
In addition, the City of Raton and Raton’s City Commission funded several related projects in the same vicinity which complimented the Great Blocks project, making a bigger impact!
These projects include:
- The City of Raton Multi-Modal Transportation project
- South First Street’s waterline infrastructure replacement
- South First Street’s area street resurfacing
The end result is a “beautiful and historically significant area to the grandeur and vibrancy that it once had,” said Raton City Manager Scott Berry. First Street now provides a grand gateway to the downtown district. Across from the Raton Amtrak station, the Old Pass Gallery and the new multi-modal transportation center, this dramatic entry invites visitors to explore the many attractions of the MainStreet and Arts and Culture district. Wide, pleasant sidewalks with shade trees, attractive benches, landscaping, and public art combine with wayfinding signs to encourage strolling, shopping, socializing and gathering at community events.
In Sept. 2021, the Raton Commission issued a Proclamation and video to express their appreciation of New Mexico MainStreet’s commitment to the downtown revitalization efforts in Raton, including the Great Blocks project and other initiatives as well.
“The Proclamation and video from the Raton Commission highlight our partnership on Raton’s Great Blocks project. The Great Blocks on MainStreet program has been supported in one way or another by all of NMMS’s staff and revitalization specialists. One of my first assignments when joining NMMS was to sit on the review committee for the inaugural Great Blocks application. This has always been one of my favorite programs so it’s nice to see Raton’s completion and others coming to fruition. I am very proud of the ongoing Great Blocks projects and appreciate all the work you all have and continue to put into them. The proclamation and video is a very generous show of support and appreciation for all the hard work and support of the NMMS Team (current and emeritus),” said NMMD Director Daniel Gutierrez.
In an outstanding video, by Holloway Video, Raton sent the following message:
“Raton MainStreet would like to thank New Mexico MainStreet for the Great Blocks Project. Their generous support has started a rejuvenation of Raton’s downtown First Street and is helping the city come alive once again!”
“This project has been in the works for five years. The goal is to revitalize the public areas and to attract new businesses to our empty storefronts and once bustling downtown district. Because of this project, the whole entire community of Raton is benefiting. On the Fourth of July we had our very first event since the project was completed and I got so many compliments about what we have done down here. It was so cool to see people coming to the area and loving everything we’ve done. Thank you, New Mexico MainStreet for making us your first Great Blocks community,” said Raton MainStreet Executive Director Brenda Ferri.
“The city of Raton has prioritized revitalization of the historic railroad district in Raton. We’ve completed eight phases of project and the highlight is the Great Blocks Project. That’s a partnership between New Mexico MainStreet, Raton MainStreet, and the City of Raton. The railroad depot in Raton is the important transportation piece on the SW chief line of Amtrak. A lot of people get on and off the train, and we see the traveling public coming to new businesses – there’s more life in the historic railroad district. I want to express appreciation from the City of Raton to New Mexico MainStreet for your support of the Raton Great Blocks Project and all of the improvements in our downtown revitalization program,” said Raton City Manager Scott Berry.
Raton is “small town America” at its finest. It is a comfortable place to live where residents and visitors can escape the “hustle and bustle” of more hectic lifestyles, to be greeted by heartfelt smiles and friendly hellos while strolling downtown, a place where neighbors truly care for each other and offer hospitality to visitors without hesitation. Raton has a deep sense of shared values and community pride, a keen appreciation of its historical and cultural heritage, and also provides the best of modern conveniences. Life in Raton makes you want to be part of this thriving community where businesses prosper and economic opportunities abound.
~ Raton MainStreet