Santa Fe Weather
New in Santa Fe 2008-2009
Santa Fe began a period of change in 2008 that will continue for the next several years, leading to a fresh face on the city and a new portrait of Santa Fe's remarkable history. The Santa Fe Railyard, new Santa Fe Community Convention Center, Palace of the Governors History Museum expansion, and almost two years of events commemorating the city's 400th Anniversary have the city looking forward to its future.
The Santa Fe Railyard opened in mid-September of '08 and started a new chapter in the city's evolution. Part commercial development and part park, the Railyard is sure to become a growing town center. Blending new architecture with old, pairing new businesses with the traditional, and placing a forward-looking plan into a 19th century neighborhood, the Railyard is redefining the Guadalupe Street district. Based on the results from several years of community consensus building, the 50 acre Railyard is a true public project, reflecting the ideas and wishes of thousands of Santa Feans. The surrounding area is anchored by SITE Santa Fe contemporary art museum, Hotel Santa Fe, El Museo Cultural event venue, the Sanbusco Market Center, and the many shops, restaurants, and galleries along Guadalupe. www.sfrailyardcc.org .
In addition, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train will begin service from Albuquerque in December, 2008 terminating in Santa Fe at the train depot in the Railyard. The train is scheduled to run multiple times a day and make several stops on the outskirts of Santa Fe and inside the city before ending the northbound run in the Railyard. The train will be met by shuttle bus service for transportation to other parts of the city. There is also shuttle bus service planned from the Albuquerque airport to a nearby train stop to connect with the train to Santa Fe. Infrastructure is currently being built as train tracks are being laid in the median of I-25 from La Bajada hill to the existing rail line within the city limits. www.nmrailrunner.com/
The Santa Fe Community Convention Center (SFCCC) held its first event in early September, 2008, even as finishing touches to the building were being worked on. The center replaces an old convention building that served admirably after being reinvented from its former life as a high school gymnasium. The SFCCC is two buildings, a community building and the convention center building that make up a highly flexible 72,000 square foot facility. The center was designed to a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification and is the greenest municipal building in the city and one of the most environmentally responsible projects in Santa Fe.
www.santafe.org
The Palace of the Governors is the oldest public building in the country, built in 1610. Joining a 3 story, 96,000 square foot addition to the old adobe structure and working within the confines of a tightly quartered neighborhood has taken some time. The resulting New Mexico History Museum, however, will mean greatly expanded display space for the museum's 17,000 object collection, much of which has been in storage for lack of exhibition area. Few states have the time depth and cultural breadth of New Mexico. Most Americans learn colonial history with the settling of Jamestown or stories of pilgrims. The New Mexico History Museum will position our national history in a broader cultural perspective. The opening of the museum is expected on Memorial Day, 2009. www.palaceofthegovernors.org
As the Second oldest city in the country, Santa Fe is making plans to commemorate its 400th Anniversary. Since questions arose about the city's actual founding date, the celebration will be stretched over two years beginning in 2009. The Spanish Viceroy has been invited to attend. Other events will take place during the following months of '09. Then, starting in 2010, the pace will build culminating in a summer of special anniversary activities to honor the city, its history, cultures, and people. Events and details are still being worked out but should be publishable soon. www.santafe400.net
For Santa Fe press information contact Steve Lewis, 505-473-9002, slewisnm@earthlink.net
The Santa Fe Railyard opened in mid-September of '08 and started a new chapter in the city's evolution. Part commercial development and part park, the Railyard is sure to become a growing town center. Blending new architecture with old, pairing new businesses with the traditional, and placing a forward-looking plan into a 19th century neighborhood, the Railyard is redefining the Guadalupe Street district. Based on the results from several years of community consensus building, the 50 acre Railyard is a true public project, reflecting the ideas and wishes of thousands of Santa Feans. The surrounding area is anchored by SITE Santa Fe contemporary art museum, Hotel Santa Fe, El Museo Cultural event venue, the Sanbusco Market Center, and the many shops, restaurants, and galleries along Guadalupe. www.sfrailyardcc.org .
In addition, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train will begin service from Albuquerque in December, 2008 terminating in Santa Fe at the train depot in the Railyard. The train is scheduled to run multiple times a day and make several stops on the outskirts of Santa Fe and inside the city before ending the northbound run in the Railyard. The train will be met by shuttle bus service for transportation to other parts of the city. There is also shuttle bus service planned from the Albuquerque airport to a nearby train stop to connect with the train to Santa Fe. Infrastructure is currently being built as train tracks are being laid in the median of I-25 from La Bajada hill to the existing rail line within the city limits. www.nmrailrunner.com/
The Santa Fe Community Convention Center (SFCCC) held its first event in early September, 2008, even as finishing touches to the building were being worked on. The center replaces an old convention building that served admirably after being reinvented from its former life as a high school gymnasium. The SFCCC is two buildings, a community building and the convention center building that make up a highly flexible 72,000 square foot facility. The center was designed to a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification and is the greenest municipal building in the city and one of the most environmentally responsible projects in Santa Fe.
www.santafe.org
The Palace of the Governors is the oldest public building in the country, built in 1610. Joining a 3 story, 96,000 square foot addition to the old adobe structure and working within the confines of a tightly quartered neighborhood has taken some time. The resulting New Mexico History Museum, however, will mean greatly expanded display space for the museum's 17,000 object collection, much of which has been in storage for lack of exhibition area. Few states have the time depth and cultural breadth of New Mexico. Most Americans learn colonial history with the settling of Jamestown or stories of pilgrims. The New Mexico History Museum will position our national history in a broader cultural perspective. The opening of the museum is expected on Memorial Day, 2009. www.palaceofthegovernors.org
As the Second oldest city in the country, Santa Fe is making plans to commemorate its 400th Anniversary. Since questions arose about the city's actual founding date, the celebration will be stretched over two years beginning in 2009. The Spanish Viceroy has been invited to attend. Other events will take place during the following months of '09. Then, starting in 2010, the pace will build culminating in a summer of special anniversary activities to honor the city, its history, cultures, and people. Events and details are still being worked out but should be publishable soon. www.santafe400.net
For Santa Fe press information contact Steve Lewis, 505-473-9002, slewisnm@earthlink.net