SENATE MEMORIAL 23

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

A MEMORIAL

CELEBRATING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF NEW MEXICO MAIN STREET ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION PROJECTS IN TRADITIONAL TOWN CENTERS, COURTHOUSE SQUARES AND VILLAGE PLAZAS AND REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE AUGUST 14, 2010 "NEW MEXICO MAIN STREET DAY".

     WHEREAS, in the late 1970s, the national trust for historic preservation developed the main street four-point approach to commercial district revitalization, a comprehensive strategy that encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation; and

     WHEREAS, in 1984, former Lieutenant Governor Mike Runnels applied to the national trust for historic preservation to establish, license and accredit New Mexico as a state coordinating program in the national main street network; and

      WHEREAS, in 1985, the New Mexico legislature created and funded the main street program in the economic development department to assist local communities to implement this strategy; and

     WHEREAS, Sections 3-60B-1 through 3-60B-4 NMSA 1978 identify that "the purpose of the Main Street Act is to provide for the revitalization of central business districts in New Mexico communities based on the preservation and rehabilitation of existing structures of unique historical and architectural character and the development of progressive marketing and management techniques as an economic development strategy for local governments"; and

     WHEREAS, Gallup, Las Vegas, Raton, Silver City and Socorro, New Mexico, were the first five communities to become main street community affiliates, followed by Aztec, Bernalillo, Carlsbad, Clovis, Deming, Taos and Tucumcari in 1986 and by Roswell and Ruidoso in 1987; and

     WHEREAS, over the past twenty-five years, thirty-three New Mexico communities have been officially affiliated as local main street projects within the New Mexico main street state coordinating program with remarkable economic results; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico main street communities have rehabilitated historic railroad depots, libraries, hotels, museums and neighborhoods in downtowns throughout New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, since the program began, more than nine thousand jobs and close to three thousand new businesses have been created in New Mexico's main street programs; and

     WHEREAS, in 2007, an initiative of Governor Bill Richardson called the New Mexico arts and cultural district program was established to enhance economic development by placing an emphasis on the indigenous arts and culture of each district administered by the New Mexico main street program; and

     WHEREAS, the downtown districts of Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Raton, Silver City and Taos are currently participating in that initiative; and

     WHEREAS, during their twenty-five-year history, New Mexico main street communities have proven themselves as dynamic revitalization engines in the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that twenty-five years of New Mexico main street economic revitalization projects in traditional town centers, courthouse squares and village plazas be celebrated; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to declare August 14, 2010 "New Mexico Main Street Day", and that the economic development department recognize this day and this anniversary with a symposium; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the main street communities of New Mexico be recognized and applauded for their excellent community economic development work through the main street four-point approach; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the economic development department be encouraged to continue its financial and technical support of the main street program in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and the secretary of economic development.

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