Updated July 2010
We have many projects in the works. Please read the brief summaries below, and contact Rebecca at the MainStreet office, 575.746.1117, mainstreet@pvtn.net, if you have any questions or comments on any project.
Veterans Memorial Park Renovation
Out of our great respect for the veterans and our country, AMS would like to assist the City of Artesia and the local veterans in creating a design that will enhance the image of the park, allowing it to be utilized more frequently by the community. Artesia MainStreet looks forward to working with the veterans and the American Legion on creating a design that will enhance the park visually. Included in this design is a magnificent bronze statue called “Freedom’s Fire”. This statue, in addition to the improvements made in memory of our veterans will greatly enhance Memorial Park. We would also install permanent flag holders to aid the veterans in setting up the annual flag memorial to fallen veterans. We are currently in the fundraising stage, and if you are interested in donating, please contact the AMS office: 575.746.1117.
(Freedom’s Fire: Currently located in Heritage Plaza, soon to be on permanent display in Memorial Park)
FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Artesia MainStreet has created a program that will provide a grant for a downtown business owner to apply toward improvements such as signage and awnings. In addition to the grant, the program will provide a 0% interest loan to the building owner that must be matched dollar for dollar, to apply toward improvements as well. The life of the loan will be 25 months, and payment will be forgiven each month that the building owner continues to own and maintain the building. As of July 2010, two buildings downtown have received “facelifts” with many more under consideration.
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CENTRAL PARK RENOVATION & RESTORATION
In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Works in Progress Administration, AMS has decided to restore our historic downtown park. AMS has met with the City of Artesia to discuss the need for preservation and restoration of Central Park, and are both currently working together to develop scope of work for the project. AMS is currently contacting landscape architects to develop proposals for the project design. To date AMS has raised over $1,000 for future renovations to Central Park. November 10 and 11 Artesia MainStreet, Inc., in partnership with the City of Artesia, hosted a series of “Charrettes”, design planning meetings (pictured below), concerning Artesia’s Central Park. The feedback provided by local citizens guides the overall design and feeling of Central Park. Please direct questions or comments to the MainStreet office.
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ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
A residential area south of Main Street in Artesia is being nominated to the State Register of Cultural Properties and to the National Register of Historic Places. The historic district is roughly bound by West Main Street on the north, West Missouri Avenue on the south, South Second Street on the east, and South Tenth Street on the west. It is comprised of 300 resources, of which 206 are considered contributing to the historic significance of the district.
The Artesia Residential Historic District nomination was a result of recommendations from a comprehensive architectural survey, conducted by Heather Barrett and Elmo Baca between 2005 and 2007. The survey included both commercial and residential resources, and was funded by the Greater Artesia Economic Development Commission—a rare investment for a community. The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division awarded Artesia MainStreet a $6,000 grant in the spring of 2008 to assist in funding the nomination. Ms. Barrett completed the work on the nomination.
Property owners included in the district will be receiving a letter from the Historic Preservation Division. There are no restrictions placed on property owners as a result of this designation. State tax credits are available to interested owners of contributing resources for rehabilitation work, such as exterior painting, a new roof, and upgrades to electrical systems.
DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN
Artesia MainStreet has received the final report for the continuation of our downtown revitalization efforts from GC Engineering. AMS is working with our partnering organizations, The City of Artesia and Chamber of Commerce, to identify MainStreet’s role in downtown revitalization in the next ten years. In conjunction with our partner’s AMS has created a subcommittee to review all planning information from the consultants and our partners to assist in the overall planning for AMS’s next ten years, as well as the future of downtown Artesia. AMS plans to work with the City on adopting a downtown master plan within the upcoming year.
CITY HALL PLANNING PROJECT
During the Master Plan Update, AMS determined that maintaining City offices in the downtown area was a crucial element to a vibrant downtown, even though the current trend for communities is to relocate out of downtown. Over the last year, AMS has been working closely with the City of Artesia on developing a long-term development plan for their offices in the downtown area. AMS has recently contracted with architect, Jose Zelaya, to complete “Artesia City Hall Campus Study.” Mr. Zelaya will also be working with Scott Verhines and GC Engineering to complete the eight month study. The project will consist of an urban design study, conceptual design and schematic design of a potential “campus.” Each design phase will consist of analyzing the entire downtown area, and stakeholder input in creating a downtown campus environment. Information to be utilized in the study will be the City of Artesia’s Space Needs Analysis Survey, and a parking utilization study which is currently underway. AMS recently started the project with a “kick-off” meeting on August 11, 2008 with area stakeholders, to determine their vision for downtown. The architect and engineers are currently working on developing a design for the layout of the “campus” and will be presenting preliminary designs within the upcoming months. Upon acceptance by the City of Artesia for the layout design, Jose Zelaya, will then begin designing all buildings and any additions to the campus concept, with final deliverables consisting of schematic drawings for the entire campus revitalization. The project was recently awarded funding by the 2009 New Mexico MainStreet Special Appropriation Funding, in the amount of $130,000, and designs are expected to be complete by spring 2009.
JOYCE-PRUIT BUILDING ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT
Artesia MainStreet has completed the architectural assessment of the historic Joyce-Pruit Building. Architect Jose Zelaya identified three potential uses for the building which include upstairs apartments, as well as retail and office space downstairs. Zelaya’s recommendations have been reviewed by the property owner, and AMS is currently in negotiation with the owner and potential investors to move the project development forward.
SECOND & TEXAS STREET IMPROVEMENT
Phase I of Second & Texas is currently underway. Phase II is currently being researched for final design, phasing, and construction costs. AMS has received $110,000 in Capitol Outlay, and $40,000 from the legislature to assist in the final design of phase II. AMS is coordinating this project with the recent development of the “City Hall Campus Project.” The City of Artesia currently lists the 2nd & Texas Project as a priority on their ICIP (Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan) listing, and we hope to continue working with the city to secure funding for the projects completion within the near future.
FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Implementation of the FIP is well underway, working closely with the FIP committee, Design Committee and the AMS Management Committee. The program currently has fourteen applicants, all of which are within the design or beginning construction phases.
THE DERRICK FLOOR "WALL OF FAME"
Artesia MainStreet has brought together the original “oilfield committee,” all of who were involved in making the Derrick Floor a success, to continue the overall master plan of the Derrick Floor Site. The original plan involves creating a memorial wall to honor all of our area oilfield pioneers. The committee has recently contracted with historian, Ellen Hopkins, to assist the committee in determining all key individuals who should be recognized in the project. Also hired to assist with the project is a graphic designer who was recommended by Ellen Hopkins, Mr. John Etheridge, from Odessa, Texas who will assist with designing of the “wall of fame.” The committee expects to have a design concept for the “wall” in the fall 2008.
CATTLE DRIVE "WALKING" TRAIL
The design committee is currently working on creating a project, similar to the honorary brick program, which will showcase area cattle brands around downtown. The walking trail would consist of 12’X12’ blocks with at 6’X6’ brass brand in the center, representing our farming and ranching pioneers of the Pecos Valley. The project would tie into the History In Bronze: Cattle Drive Series monuments. The design committee is currently researching designs and production processes for the project. The committee is expected to launch the program in 2009.
FIRST STREET IMPROVEMENTS & THE "CORES OF ARTESIA" GATEWAY PROJECT
The “Cores of Artesia” project is currently on hold, due to the acquisition of the northern site properties from Burlington-Northern. AMS is currently in negotiations with the railroad company to acquire the property not only for the site location, but for the overall area north of Richey (east side) to help create a landscaping “gateway” to welcome visitors to Artesia.