The City of Grants is grappling with a major construction project on Santa Fe Avenue that has raised concerns among business owners, and led to the cancellation of the annual Holiday Light Parade. Grants Mayor Erik Garcia and William Yarborough, the Executive Director of Grants MainStreet Project Inc., discussed the ongoing situation.
The construction project on Santa Fe Avenue has become a focal point of anger among business owners in the downtown area. Mayor Erik Garcia explained that this $10 million project is essential to modernize the city's water and sewer systems. It addresses critical infrastructure issues, particularly those related to past problems with water pumps and sewer lines. Garcia emphasized the urgency of the project, which has been in the works for several years, noting that delays in obtaining funding and approvals have hindered progress.
“New water and sewer systems are essential for Grants' future,” Garcia said, “This $10 million project addresses critical infrastructure issues, ensuring a more reliable and efficient system for our community.”
Garcia said that the decision to start construction involves a collaborative effort between the city manager, engineers like Wilson and Company, and contractors. This comprehensive approach ensures that all necessary approvals and signatures are obtained before the project begins. He highlighted the challenges of coordinating such largescale government projects, explaining that gathering the approvals to start construction is a process that sometimes takes months. Garcia said that if the city does not start construction in December, it could be forced to wait until February.
The parade caused the cancellation of Grants' annual Holiday Light Parade, an electric light parade on Santa Fe Ave. where children are greeted by Santa; the decision has been met with online anger. William Yarborough, Executive Director of Grants MainStreet Project Inc., explained this decision. He said the parade's cancellation for this year is a response to the construction's impact on the traditional parade route. The construction directly intersects with the parade route, making it impossible to hold the event without severe disruptions.
Yarborough said that the parade route plays a crucial role in the identity of Grants MainStreet district. He said the organization is dedicated to revitalizing the Main-Street district, supporting small businesses, and facilitating property redevelopment. The parade served as a means of drawing attention to the district and encouraging economic activity.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by local businesses during the parade, including early closures, Yarborough pointed out that the event traditionally brought foot traffic to the downtown area, benefiting both participating and non-participating businesses alike. The cancellation was a measure to mitigate the negative impact of this construction on small businesses. Yarborough explained that businesses in the MainStreet district are the constituents of Grants MainStreet Project Inc., and the board does not want to draw shoppers away from the district, particularly during the crucial holiday shopping season.
Garcia acknowledged the struggles faced by business owners in the construction’s path, saying that this is a time for business owners to, “think outside the box” and suggested that they keep their stores open longer.
Regarding the future of the parade, Yarborough expressed optimism about its eventual return. He noted that the cancellation was a response to the unique circumstances posed by the construction project. GMS had originally planned to combine the parade with a new event, the 'cookie crawl,' aimed at supporting local businesses. The cookie crawl will continue as GMS’ way of trying to drum up business for the locally owned shops in their district.
The Grants City Council organized a special meeting to discuss the construction project the night of November 21, the meeting began after press deadline. Look to next week’s edition of the Cibola Citizen for details on that meeting.