MainStreet loses grant, gets another

By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — In an action that may turn out to herald a bright new day for downtown Grants, the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Local Government Division canceled a grant for a downtown pavilion.

In response to a Jan. 10, 2007, division request that Grants MainStreet Project submit a downtown master plan and other documents to solidify a $70,000 grant for preliminary work on the Fire and Ice Pavilion, the project provided a copy of an existing Grants comprehensive plan and a declaration of support from the city.

The material did not meet the necessary criteria and the grant was canceled, said Rima Krisst of the Local Government’s Main Streets department.

The denial appeared to be another blow to MainStreet, but may be a stroke of luck instead.

Krisst said that in a March 3 letter to Grants MainStreet, Local Government offered a different Request For Proposals. The new RFP would provide $70,000 to MainStreet to help develop an appropriate Downtown Master Plan, stating clear guidelines and goals for future development along central Santa Fe Avenue.

Krisst said that MainStreet replied on March 20 that the project is interested in the proposal and has the support of the city. Once a downtown plan is created, MainStreet will be able to apply for grants and assistance that require a solid outline.

Developing a master plan would involve the city, citizens meetings, planning and zoning approval and consultations with organizations like the Council of Governments, said City Manager Bob Horacek. The new grant will offer an opportunity for focused community planning over a lengthy period and supply a rallying point for future MainStreet endeavors.