Coal Avenue Commons Michael Bulloch

COAL AVENUE COMMONS:

LOOKING TO THE PAST TO BUILD THE FUTURE.

AAt one time, everything was in or near Coal Avenue downtown, designed to be the social and commercial hub for residents and surrounding ranches, farms, or tribal lands. The emphasis of the district was on providing access to one-stop shopping for daily needs. Post-World War II, suburban development favoring shopping malls, and single- use zoning have driven resources away from downtowns as vital community centers.

The devaluing of downtowns occurred as advanced engineering was getting faster- moving motorized automobiles produced more quickly and efficiently. As downtowns prioritized cars the inevitable result was deterring people from stopping to shop, walk, bike, and socialize. Historically, in most Southwestern towns, everyone shared the public right-of-way with very wide sidewalks. However, many of today’s downtowns prioritize automobile travel, serving the few rather than the many, killing a street’s overall sense of place and diminishing its value for allusers.

Numerous organizations and communities are working to restore the historic functions of their downtowns and reestablish them as the centers of towns and cities. Nationally, every dollar a community uses to support its downtown leverages an average of $18 in new investment, making historic downtowns one of the most successful economic development strategies in America (www.nmmainstreet. org). Cities and towns across the country are realizing their historic commercial districts have lost their sense of place. They have all come to the conclusion that in order for these districts to continue to be an economic driver in their community, a change needs to occur. When used for economic development, placemaking seeks to help a community attract and retain talented workers and the businesses that employthem.

Gallup is looking to the future by taking a lesson from the past

with Coal Avenue Commons, a revitalization placemaking project that when finished will bring a renewed sense of place to historic downtown Gallup. This placemaking project is taking an area relegated to being used as a hallway and shifting it into a social living room. It will enable pedestrians, and bicyclists to easily and safely navigate through downtown with ample space while making it possible to easily host street festivals and other community celebrations. The decorative paver patterns in the street, in addition to being attractive, will encourage drivers to slow down and pay attention to their surroundings. Moving street trees further away from building facades will not only help the trees live longer and healthier lives, but it will also be easier to see signage on the buildings. The addition of wider sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, and having places where shoppers can sit and rest, will make it much more enjoyable and safer for customers to stop, walk, and explore downtown. All of this will encourage more people to experience the amazing businesses that are located on CoalAvenue.

You’re probably thinking this is all well and good, but what about right now, what about the businesses that are in the construction zone? That is a great question, and thisis where you come in. Downtown businesses are open for business and would love for you to come in and visit them. As citizens of Gallup, everyone should be supporting locally owned and operated businesses, and this is even more important for those businesses located downtown, especially those in the area where construction is happening. You can also support them in other ways by giving businesses a good review on Facebook, Google, or Yelp. Tell your friends and family; there is no better advertising than word of mouth. This is your chance to support the businesses that support Gallup all year long.

Additionally, if you own a business or property in or around downtown, think about supporting your tenants and neighbors. Give them positive reviews and try partnering up with other businesses to help promote downtown Gallup as a community. If another business gives you a positive review or shops with you, then return the favor, if your neighbor does well, then you will too.

Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District is doing their part to help as well. Keep an eye out for the short video series titled “Dig into Downtown – Stories”. This video series will showcase the many amazing businesses in the historic downtown area throughout the year. You can find them on GMSACD’s YouTube channel, Facebook, and Instagram. So be sure to follow for all the newest videos. In partnership with the City of Gallup, Gallup MainStreet is also conducting a digital analysis of local businesses to assess their digital footprint, making it easier for customers to find them and for them to promote themselves.

The thing to remember is that we are all in this together, and a positive outlook goes a long way to making a slightly uncomfortable situation bearable. Downtown Gallup is a magical place and with everyone’s help, we can build its future together.

Michael Bulloch is currently working with Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District on several projects related to construction mitigation and communication. He spent 6 years as the MainStreet Director in Farmington, NM but has been involved in their MainStreet program since 1997 serving on their board of directors from 1998 to 2000 and serving on many committees during the interim. He has owned a downtown business in Farmington, for 18 years. An artist as well, Michael also created these digital watercolors featuring people, businesses, and construction on Coal Avenue. See more of his work at bullochgallery.com orfacebook.com/michaelbullochwatercolors.

As the parks are Closed we ask that you Stay Home, and Stay Safe. We look forward to see you when we reopen.

All Navajo Tribal Parks Remain Closed Per Public Health Order No. 2020-21.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

435-727-5870 P.O. Box 360289 Monument Valley, UT 84536

Four Corners Monument

928-206-2540 P.O. Box 861 Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514

Canyon de Chelly Campground

928-674-2106 P.O. Box 2520 Window Rock, AZ 86515

All the Navajo Tribal Parks are Closed Until Further Notice Due to the Declaration of Emergency Resolution CEM-20-03-11 issued on March 11, 2020. Bowl Canyon Camp Assayi 928-871-6647 Which states, “all Navajo Tribal Parks and Facilities shall be closed to all public access effective March 14, 2020 and continue until further notice. More Information: www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19 PO Box 2520 Window Rock , AZ 86515Little Colorado River Tribal Park 928-679-2303 P.O. Box 459 Cameron, AZ 86020 Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park (Antelope Canyon) 928-645-0268 337 N. Navajo Drive Page, AZ 86040

“TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND MANAGE TRIBAL PARKS; MONUMENTS AND RECREATION AREAS FOR THE PERPETUAL ENJOYMENT AND BENEFIT OF THE NAVAJO NATION...”

Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department

P.O. Box 2520 • Window Rock, Arizona 86515 • (928) 871-6647

be connected navajonationparks.org

Will provide breakfast & lunch to any child 1- 18 years of age. Meals may be picked up at any Grab-N-Go location between 7:30-1:00 as well as any of the meal delivery bus stops.