The City of Las Vegas and MainStreet de Las Vegas broke ground on the first two phases of their four phase Great Blocks public infrastructure project on March 2, 2022! Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes and New Mexico MainStreet Director Daniel Gutierrez joined Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo, MainStreet de Las Vegas Board President Reina Fernandez, and former President Cindy Collins to provide remarks at this momentous celebration.
Great Blocks projects dramatically upgrade two to three blocks of a commercial area. The Great Blocks project in Las Vegas will renovate the Historic Las Vegas Railroad District by improving pedestrian access and public infrastructure, and direct traffic to the businesses in the district. Seven years in the making and with the help of four Capital Outlay awards, this project will position Lincoln Street as an event and tourism hub. The project compliments other renovations in the vicinity such as the Castaneda Hotel & Bar, the 1898 Rawlins building, Buena Vida Physical Therapy and Wellness, the historic Wells Fargo Building, and Rough Rider Antiques among others.
Capital Outlay Awards MainStreet de Las Vegas received:
- $352,000 in 2021
- $400,000 in 2019
- $150,000 in 2018
- $70,000 in 2016 (planning grant)
In the 2022 Legislative Session, New Mexico MainStreet received $10 million to continue this important work – the largest amount New Mexico MainStreet has ever received from a Session! New Mexicans recognize how important these projects are because they make the streets safe and accessible for pedestrians, support businesses and private investment, upgrade public utilities, and beautify the district.
Phase I & II project goals:
- Complete two corners of this project
- Set the stage for Lincoln Street as an event hub
- Position Lincoln with two pedestrian-friendly intersections, one at each end
- Intersections will be the gateway to the train station and Castaneda Hotel
- Drainage improvements at the intersection of Lincoln and Railroad
- Landscaping and shade trees
- Benches
- Wide sidewalks and raised pedestrian crossings
- Gateway signage
Learn more:
- Read the press release
- Watch the video on Facebook
- View the conceptual plan