|
|
City of Santa Fe Weekly Wrap
|
|
Highlights from the Week of March 28, 2022 |
|
There's a lot going on in the City Different!
|
|
Airport Expansion Project
Takes Off
|
NOBODY LOVES a good groundbreaking ceremony more than Mayor Pro Tem Signe Lindell.
"Let's throw dirt!" the Councilor cried to her shovel-ready colleagues after a tour of the Santa Fe Regional Airport on Wednesday. (That's her in the yellow jacket.)
Airport Manager Mark Baca had described the parking lot and terminal expansion project that's underway and scheduled for completion in January. Elected officials, City staff, contractors, and media heard him explain the $21.5 million project.
City Manager John Blair said the event was held in part to express gratitude to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and State Legislators for helping to move Santa Fe deeper into the 21st century by allocating $11 million for the upgrades.
"This is a breath of fresh air," said State Senator Nancy Rodriquez. "We stand ready to help make this a state-of-the-art airport."
Councilor Chris Rivera, Chair of the Airport Advisory
Board, recalled first being there in the 1970s. "Forty years later, it's the same building," he said. The expansion is necessary to catch up with demand. Usage peaked in 2019 with 283,238 total arrivals and departures, dropped to 98,479 in 2020, rebounded to 190,456 last year, and is around 50,000 for the first three months of this year.
The airport is an important economic driver not just for Santa Fe but for northern New Mexico, Councilor Rivera added. He thanked many parties who are playing a part in the project, including Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez for dedicating $1.6 million of Federal funding, which will go toward the cost of designing the next $20-million worth of improvements.
The current upgrades include 700 new parking places, a cellphone waiting lane, better traffic circulation, a new arrival/departure gate, expanded seating, new concessions, restrooms, and baggage facilities. Details and illustrations of designs for the Airport Terminal and Parking Lot Expansion Project can be found by following this link.
|
|
MAYOR'S NOTE:
This Way to
the Future
|
There’s an old saying: “If you don’t like change, you’ll probably hate being irrelevant.” We’re finding ways to change that are both true to who we are and also ensure that we not only won’t be irrelevant—we’ll be leading the way into the future.
One example is the Creative Experience Conference that took place last weekend. A gathering of innovators and entrepreneurs, the conference highlighted the new economic reality: Giving people experiences is the ultimate business offering. Of course, Santa Fe has had an experience-based economy for ever. But now, when you add technology, storytelling, and our sense of place, you get the future of business.
Another example: Our commitment to the Southside, where the Teen Center is under construction, a powerful work of art was just dedicated at the Southside Library, we’re investing in Wi-Fi and, coming soon, a new city-wide broadband offering. Investing in new facilities, in technology, and, most of all, in people and families is the path to a future of opportunity.
A third example: The ground-breaking at the Airport. We have an airport that is historic; it looks and feels true to Santa Fe. And it needs to change, so it can grow and we can create good jobs for our kids and grandkids. It will always be our Airport. It’ll just be a better airport with better customer experiences.
There’s another old saying: “The future is already here. It’s just unevenly distributed.” A lot of it is distributed, right here in Santa Fe, where we’re creating the future in real time.
|
|
|
|
Sustainability "Scavenger Hunt" |
|
SFCC Scholarships for Veterans and Their Families |
This week the City dedicated scholarship money to area military veterans and their families to attend Santa Fe Community College. The grant will be matched by the SFCC Foundation. “Veterans have given so much to protect and serve our country," says Youth and Family Services Director Julie Sanchez. "In return, the City wants to support their educational goals and those of their families.” Find details here.
|
|
Female Firefighters
of the Future
|
Fire Captain Brittany Snyder did some community outreach at Capital High School with a group of students in the Female Empowerment Club – an appropriate event during Women's History Month. Students participated as honorary Cadets and learned about the fire service, the multiple paths that a career can take with Santa Fe Fire Department, and learned some life-saving skills. |
|
|
|
|
Please join the City and Hope UC for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at Ragle Park.
Some of our big work vehicles will be on display, the Community Engagement Department will have a coloring table, the Library and Fire Marshal's office will have info booths, and Sparky the Firedog will be there, too. The Food Depot will have bins for food donations. Then, Little League will hold Opening Ceremonies at 1:00 p.m.!
|
|
Share this email with your networks! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
