Capital Outlay Public Infrastructure Projects and Great Blocks on MainStreet

NMMS Capital Outlay Projects

NMMS’s Public Infrastructure Capital Outlay program leverages economic redevelopment within targeted public investment areas. This critical source of funding results in physical improvements and rehabilitation, business creation and expansions, job creation, and revitalization within accredited MainStreet districts.

Public Infrastructure investment is important because:

Commercial centers with severe safety and infrastructure issues deter private reinvestment.
Visible improvements build confidence in business owners.
Projects:
- Create employment opportunities
- Strengthen the local economy
- Create vibrant destinations
- Improve pedestrian safety
- Incentivize commercial property improvements

NMMS works with its communities to identify projects, utilizing technical assistance from NMMS Revitalization Specialists. The projects are developed with local government partners, the community, and the private sector to enhance the economic vitality of downtown and catalyze private investment.

Projects are based on an adopted Master Plan, Cultural Economic Development Plan, or Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan. Projects must demonstrate impact on the local economy, build on existing assets, improve the appearance & functionality of the district, create connectors, and engage local property & business owners.

Projects awarded funding each year is contingent on the Legislature’s annual appropriation to NMMS’s Capital Outlay Program. Capital Outlay funds are used to leverage/match other local, state, corporate, and foundation dollars to fully-fund projects.

Within three years of completion, the community benefits from public infrastructure improvements with:

60% increase in pedestrian traffic and business expansions.
95% increase in new business openings.
80% increase in attendance at downtown events,
70% decrease in vacant buildings.

Eligible Public Infrastructure Projects:

Planning:
- Cultural Economic Development Plan for designated New Mexico Arts & Cultural District Start-Ups.
Streets:
- Storm sewer and drainage projects; water, electric, and sewer utilities; broadband; and pedestrian night lighting (and accompanying conduit and electrical cabling.)
Pedestrian Safety:
- Including sidewalks, curb extensions, road diets, pedestrian crossings and medians; traffic calming, traffic parking configuration, context sensitive solution projects; and complete streets projects.
Street amenities:
- Wayfinding systems; benches; trash receptacles; tree canopy; and landscape buffers (including watering systems consistent with drought tolerant plantings that are consistent with the historic context of the project area, and if in an historic designated district, consistent with the appropriate period of significance as designated in the district nomination.)
Placemaking:
- Town centers, town squares and plazas; public and farmers’ markets; outdoor performance spaces and amphitheaters (placemaking projects must be able to demonstrate support for economic growth, property renovation, business development, and job creation within the district.)
Great Blocks on MainStreet Projects with completed construction documents.

Capital Outlay Recipients

See all New Mexico MainStreet Capital Outlay recipients.

Publications

News

Contact Info:

Daniel Gutierrez, Director
(505) 629-5270
Lucas Pedraza, Project Coordinator
(505) 412-3963

Great Blocks on MainStreet

Great Blocks on Mainstreet projects are innovative and intensive design/economic vitality infrastructure projects. These projects are designed to dramatically upgrade a core three-block commercial area within a MainStreet District through the creative implementation of urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and creative economy projects. Great Blocks is meant to catalyze the target area by providing, through this grant, much needed public infrastructure upgrades that will result in private sector reinvestment in buildings and businesses.

Raton

Announced: 2015
Completed: 2021 (Phases 1-3)

Raton was the first Great Blocks Project pilot project and and is located in Raton’s historic downtown district on First Street between Park & Cook Avenues. This project 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

Las Vegas

Announced: 2015, 2022
To Be Completed: 2022-2023 (Phases 1-2)

The Las Vegas Great Blocks groundbreaking for phase 1-2 took place in March 2022. This project will renovate the Historic Las Vegas Railroad District by improving pedestrian access and public infrastructure, and direct traffic to the businesses in the district.

Tucumcari

Announced: 2015
To Be Completed: 2022 (Phases 1-2)

Tucumcari’s project includes two blocks on Second St. between Main and Aber and two blocks on Main Street between 1st and 3rd Streets. Improvements include sidewalk replacement, lighting, water drainage, benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, artwork, and landscaping.

Belen

Announced: 2015
Completed: 2021 (Phase 1)

Belen was funded in part by a USDA Grant in 2015. Phase 1 of their First and Becker St. Pedestrian Improvement project was completed in 2021. This project includes pedestrian safety and engineering improvements, streetscape enhancements, wayfinding systems, public art installations, and more.

Alamogordo

Announced: 2022

This project will improve the infrastructure of the 800-900 blocks of New York Ave. and focus on major improvements like replacing water and sewer lines, updating utilities, repairing sidewalks and creating more accessible parking. These updates will increase overall foot traffic in the district, and will have a positive impact on the local economy through increased local spending, in addition to creating jobs during construction.