Highlights from the Week of October 11, 2021
There's a lot going on in the City Different!
BC Pool, Airport, Train Depot Projects Greenlighted
ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT the Governing Body voted to move forward with several eagerly anticipated capital improvement projects. Noteworthy among them were the decisions to rebuild the Bicentennial Pool, to expand the Santa Fe Regional Airport, and to renovate the Train Depot in the Railyard.
 
Bicentennial Pool was closed last summer on account of major leaks in the plumbing and pool shell. At the Governing Body meeting, Facilities Division Director Sam Burnett presented options that included rebuilding the pool in time for next summer season and assessing the need for a second outdoor aquatic center in Santa Fe. City Councilors decided to move forward immediately on pool repairs, at a cost of $2.3 million.
 
Also approved was a $21.5 million expansion of the airport terminal and parking lot, which will result in increased capacity for airlines and travelers. Public Works Division Director Regina Wheeler called the airport "an important economic engine for the city and region."
 
The expansion project is scheduled to take one year and the airport will continue full-service operations throughout the construction.

The Governing Body also approved a contract for the historic renovation of the Train Depot, which Burnett expects to be complete next July. Its future use remains to be determined.
MAYOR'S NOTE:
All Things
Great and Small
We’re doing big things these days—and important small things too! Wednesday night three big projects were approved: Bicentennial Pool, the Airport and the Train Depot. We also pushed forward on a series of big public works projects: A new fire station, a new central library, and significant upgrades to streets, roads, trails, and parks. And a new Public Service Building might be in the works.

On top of those big wins, we’re breaking ground today at the MRC for a major solar project that will add 2.75 megawatts of renewable to our energy portfolio—a project that will save more than $750,000 in utility costs every year. This project brings us that much closer to our goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
 
And then a small project that sends a big message: In the last six weeks, we’ve collected 750 abandoned shopping carts and returned them to retailers! Another quality of life project for a cleaner Santa Fe.
 
Getting things done, big and small, to deliver on the promise of Santa Fe’s future. That’s what we do, together.
Take the Survey, Make Your Priorities Known
Please be sure to complete the three-question CHART online survey. This is key to sharing your voice about what's important to you and how you see the city moving forward. The bilingual survey is the first step in collecting important information, and will be offered via other collection methods as well. Project activities (coming soon!) will also revolve around the survey questions.
The Leak Detective
Water Resource Specialist Bob Wood has been notifying customers of continuous leaks flagged by our Automatic Meter System. Recently, one residential account with a continuous flow of 460 gallons per hour (GPH) stopped the leak within 24 hours of notification, and one commercial account with a continuous flow of 2242 GPH corrected the leak within 2 hours of notification! Stopping these leaks prevented a combined loss of almost 65,000 gallons of water per day. Monitor your own meter for leaks using the FREE EyeOnWater tool.
Blue Bus Riding Free
The Mountain Trail “Blue Bus” is a favorite way for locals and visitors alike to access Ten Thousand Waves, fall colors, the Winsor Trail, Ski Santa Fe, and the Santa Fe National Forest. Previously $5 each way, the fare was waived at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the North Central Regional Transit District board is poised to vote to eliminate the fare permanently.
   If you have any comments to share with the NCRTD prior to the vote, you may submit them here. You can also attend a virtual board meeting November 9. 
Irish Song and Celebration at Southside Library
What exactly is a Samhain Halloween Concert? Whatever it is, it includes poetry, songs, stories, and folklore in celebration of the ancient Celtic New Year. Celebrate with a concert by the group Four Shillings Short Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the Southside Library. This is an outdoor event and masks are required. Bring your lawn chairs! More info on SFPL's website.
Share this email with your networks!
City of Santa Fe | santafenm.gov