The City of Gallup agreed on a design option for the Coal Avenue Commons Construction Project Sept. 25 that will feature a plaza street.
Stanley Henderson, public works director for the City of Gallup, said the city worked with GallupARTS, the Business Improvement District, Gallup MainStreet and the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments on a plan to transform Coal Avenue, from First to Third streets, into an event street.
Henderson said the city held public meetings to stimulate downtown development and revitalization in a process dubbed “creative placemaking.”
He said three conceptual design options were formulated from the creative placemaking process. Visuals and images of each design are available online at the City of Gallup website.
Howard Kaplan, project manager of the consultant team from Wilson & Company, was present at an Aug. 22 community workshop at Gallup Cultural Center, during which the three conceptual designs were presented.
At the workshop, Kaplan referred to Coal Avenue Commons as a “very exciting project.”
George Radnovich, senior landscape principal of Sites Southwest, said the revised street would be easier to navigate and more visually appealing.
“We can help the community become more beautiful,” he said. “[Through this process], we will make Downtown more vibrant.”
A key focus of the discussion was the use of removable or retractable bollards versus large parked vehicles to block-off the street for public safety during events. The council felt the former would be easier to work with.
The winning design, featuring a Plaza Street, was chosen by the council at the Sept. 25 regular meeting.
“When it’s done, that’s going to be a great attraction to the downtown area,” Dist. 2 Councilor Allan Landavazo said.
The rest of the council agreed the plan provides a great opportunity for Gallup.
“It is an opportunity for the community to come out and help develop Downtown to the way they want it to be,” said Dist. 4 Councilor Fran Palochak.
The item was approved with a 4-0-0 vote at the Sept. 25 regular meeting.
By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent
