Grants MainStreet and City of Grants Awarded $123,000 from Great Blocks Grants Opportunity for Santa Fe Avenue Revitalization

GRANTS, N.M. – In August of 2022, MainStreet communities across New Mexico compiled their applications for the highly competitive Great Blocks grant opportunity from New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS). Now, Grants MainStreet is one of fourteen communities selected to receive $123,000 to help pay for plans and designs for the Santa Fe Avenue (SFA) Revitalization Project. The SFA Revitalization project is slated to effect properties on SFA from Fourth Street to Silver Avenue. Concepts and ideas proposed for this project are as follows:

● Reducing the number of lanes on SFA from two lanes to one lane eastbound and westbound.

● Retrofitting a bike lane to the road

● Widening the sidewalk

● Creating a buffer between the bike lane and shoulder lane

● Making safe and creating additional crosswalks

● Making beautification and amenity improvements (i.e. trash cans, benches, light poles, etc.) The primary reason for making these changes to SFA is to create an inviting and pedestrian friendly downtown. One of the issues plaguing businesses in the MainStreet district is the lack of foot traffic to drive sales for these businesses. Anecdotes from owners and citizens reveal that vehicle traffic is too fast for shoppers and tourists to feel safe parking on the shoulder or walking from shop to shop. Ironically, the alternative for these groups is to use the high-speed interstate (which is riddled with accidents) to drive to Albuquerque or their next stop to do their shopping. If this behavior continues the option to shop in Grants will eventually disappear. We believe this course of action through the Santa Fe Revitalization project is necessary to spark the beginning of change needed for our community. We hope to capture the attention of citizens and tourists alike by creating an atmosphere that is exciting, friendly, and safe.

For more details on the project or to get involved reach out to the executive director of Grants MainStreet project at the information below. It is a wonderful time to be alive in the City of Grants!

About Grants MainStreet Project (GMS)

Grants MainStreet Project, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that works to drive economic development in the City of Grants through its four-point approach: organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality. Through beautification projects, strategic special events, and professional business development, Grants Main-Street Project will be the catalyst that will make Grants great again. Founded in 1996, Grants MainStreet has seen more than two decades of business, and with determined leadership, diligent volunteers, and innovative minds working together they plan to see many more.

Contact

Grants MainStreet Project William Yarborough – Executive Director GMS Email: grantsmainstreet66@ gmail.com www.grantsmainstreetproject. com 523 W. Santa Fe Ave., Grants, NM 87020