The City of Raton and Raton MainStreet have begun construction of the downtown Great Blocks project. This project is designed to beautify the district as a core piece of economic revitalization aimed to spawn economic reinvestment into commercial property. The project focuses on streetscape vitality, placemaking, creative economy, safety and pedestrian accessibility.
Phase 1 of the project will focus on the intersection of the Cook Avenue and 1st Street intersection adding bump-outs to calm traffic in the pedestrian-heavy multi-model area. Additionally, sidewalk improvements will be made and historic lighting will be added which will be consistent with the existing lighting in the downtown district.
The project began 2015, New Mexico Mainstreet (NMMS) provided Great Blocks on MainStreet design services to Raton MainStreet and the City of Raton to plan a catalyst of $1.03 million investment in public infrastructure improvements along historic First Street. Since the original design services, Raton MainStreet, the City of Raton and NMMS worked collaboratively to raise $320K in state capital outlay funds (earmarked for infrastructure improvements) combined with a $90K in city investment which made it possible for Phase 1 construction to begin.
“We are very excited to be the first community in the state to have received Capital Outlay funding from New Mexico Mainstreet for the Great Blocks project. We look forward to helping beautify our downtown district and the economic impact Great Blocks will have,” said Raton MainStreet Executive Director Brenda Ferri. “We hope to make downtown a place people want to meet and this project is a step in the right direction.”
“Downtown revitalization, specifically in the historic railroad district, is an important component of economic recovery and community development in Raton,” said Raton City Manager Scott Berry. “The City of Raton, Raton MainStreet and New Mexico MainStreet have developed a strong and effective partnership that has resulted in completion of several projects in downtown Raton”.
Looking towards the future, the City of Raton has applied for a Federal Transportation Alternatives Program Grant which could help fund the remainder of the project. The City of Raton, Raton MainStreet and NMMS have a long history of completing projects. The $1.4 Million Multi-Model Transportation Center is one example of the work the partnership helped see to fruition. NMMS has repeated their commitment to assisting Raton MainStreet and the City of Raton in completing the entirety of the Great Blocks Project.
