| To develop Downtown Portales into a beautiful, restored and rejuvenated historic area that invites and encourages the development of current and future business through professional and cultural endeavors.
Our purpose is to encourage, promote and
stimulate the preservation of historic downtown Portales and in doing so;
educating the public about the unique development, architectural heritage,
and historical value; encouraging preservation of the area and its structures;
combating the economic causes of community deterioration; and promoting
community pride and civic interest in historic downtown Portales. |
(click image to see larger) |
The Portales Visioning Plan (above right)
explores urban design ideas to provide alternative solutions to enhance
the vitality of the downtown. By capitalizing on Portales assets the plan
seeks to improve traffic safety, provide a safer pedestrian environment
and overall improvements on the image of the city. This in return will
attract investment, retain population and consequently improve the quality
of life for the Portales residents. A set of strategies and design
projects were set to satisfy these goals:
|
| Vehicular
and Pedestrian Traffic Study |
Although vehicular traffic is usually
welcome in downtowns, fast, heavy traffic can be hazardous in pedestrian
areas. This component of the plan studies a balance between pedestrian
and vehicular traffic. The study proposes a secondary pedestrian network
utilizing the city’s alleys and linked to the streets grid by pedestrian
catchments areas located close to parking lots. This network will also
connect major open public and private spaces. A comprehensive parking plan
is also proposed for the downtown, utilizing current vacant lots and also
the streets.
|
| Courthouse
Square Redesign |
 A
handsome art deco courthouse building anchors the historic downtown Portales,
while parking lots have taken the original square. This plan restores a
portion of the square to capitalize on the civic character of the courthouse
square and serves as an anchor for the pedestrian network in the downtown.
The return of walkways, greenery and the orderly placed trees will visually
unify the space. The plan maintains a larger portion of the square for
parking amenities.
|
| Revitalization
of the Railroad District |
The history of Portales really unfolds
with the introduction of the Railroad in the late1800’s. Over time, the
shifting needs and values have in many cases turned the railroad areas
into industrial sites that lock behind their gates assets like the train
depots. This project seeks to relocate the existing historic depot now
vacant and create a viable commercial space. The new building location
would celebrate the once prominent axial location of the depot centered
at the end of mainstreet. A few sensible modifications to the building
would provide a passage to a public commercial court and amphitheater to
attract retail and entertainment.
|
| Engaging
City |
| The success of downtown Portales may rely
on visitors slowing down and spending more time in the city. To capture
the visitors attention this design exercise combines traffic calming devises,
pedestrian amenities and public art work along the major arteries in an
effort to create a more engaging environment for the driver at the same
time creating a safer pedestrian setting for those on foot. These
corridors are anchored by the major public and civic spaces and culminated
by art pieces in the major intersections acting as gateways for the city.
A second component of this design studies the character and location of
a pedestrian pathway between ENMU and downtown. This pathway leads students
to downtown through an acquainted neighborhood and a Historic walking museum. |