About
Los Alamos MainStreet is the only County-wide state-accredited New Mexico MainStreet program, serving businesses and the community in both Los Alamos and neighboring White Rock. Our goal is to create a thriving economy by being a partner and advocate for local businesses in our district; driving promotions, programming and events that bring more locals and visitors to our downtown; and partnering with the Bradbury Science Museum, Los Alamos Creative District, Los Alamos Historical Society, Pajarito Environmental Education Center and other organizations to simultaneously preserve our historic and scientific heritage, and revitalize and diversify our local economy.
How We Serve Downtown
Our 4-Point Approach
The Los Alamos MainStreet program promotes a community-driven process that brings stakeholders from all sectors together, inviting them to be proactive participants in the revitalization process. Collaboration is needed to identify key strategies, known as Transformation Strategies, that provide a clear sense of priorities and direction for revitalization efforts. These strategies align with the four key areas Main Streets have been using as a guiding framework for more than 35 years: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality. Los Alamos MainStreet uses The Main Street Four-Point Approach® as the foundation for developing transformative economic development.
Organization
Promotion
Design
Economic Restructuring
Establishing consensus and cooperation among the various groups that have a stake in the downtown district.
Communicating our downtown’s unique characteristics, traditions, and history to shoppers, potential business and visitors.
Instilling good maintenance practices in the downtown, enhancing the district’s physical appearance.
Building a commercial district that responds to the needs of today’s consumers while preserving historic character.
Our Mission
The Los Alamos MainStreet, a program of Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation, is building a vibrant community through a thriving economy. We leverage public and private sector investment to achieve sustainable economic development. We drive economic progress by providing services to businesses using a broad portfolio of programs and initiatives. We balance sound economic considerations with social and environmental concerns as we serve the business community, create and retain jobs, and diversify the economy.
Los Alamos has the only Creative District in the state of New Mexico. The development of the Creative District serves as a catalyst for supporting and developing service, restaurant, retail, and hospitality businesses within the proposed district. Its focus is to improve the community’s capacity for economic benefit from visitation/tourism. Staple events include the Tuesdays at the Square Summer Entertainment Series, as well as regular creative offerings such as cabaret shows and special events like the shadow-cast production of "Rocky Horror Picture Show."
​2016 Great American Main Street Awards Winner
Los Alamos MainStreet was selected as a winner of the 2016 Great American Main Street Awards, chosen by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Los Alamos MainStreet was picked as “One to Watch,” for being a neighborhood making progress toward revitalizing its downtown district.
A statement issued by Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National Main Street Center, reads, “The 2016 GAMSA winners have succeeded in making their towns an exciting place to live, work, play and visit through implementing our historic preservation-based methodology for downtown revitalization. “In each locality, the local Main Street organization has collaborated with residents, business owners and other local partners to revitalize their district by promoting the assets that makes that community special.”
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The awards were presented May 23 at the center’s 2016 Main Street Now Conference in Milwaukee. A national jury composed of former award winners, community development professionals and government representatives involved in historic preservation and community revitalization chose winners. Criteria include “strength of the Main Street in creating an exciting place to live, work, play and visit, commitment to historic preservation, implementation of model partnerships and demonstrated success of the center’s approach to revitalizing downtown corridors.
Mainstreet Futures
MainStreet Futures Committee is a forum for coordination of downtown business interests, downtown property owners, and local government. Meetings are the second Monday of each month.
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The purpose of this group is to identify and promote new and varied uses for underutilized commercial buildings; identify new market opportunities for the downtown; identify and promote initiatives that enhance the prospects of success for new and existing businesses as well as prospects for development/redevelopment consistent with the approved downtown plan; identify and promote opportunities to physically improve public areas, buildings, and businesses downtown; provide input and advice to promotional activities of the MainStreet program; and, be a sounding board for downtown priorities and advocacy.
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Committee Members
George Marsden (President), Jacquelyn Connolly (Executive Director, Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District), Alison Watkins, Alice Holtzclaw, Lauren McDaniel, Sandy Jones, David Izraelevitz, Janice Krish, Shanna Sasser, Jill Lang, David Reagor, Suzie Havemann, Melanee Hand, Eva Jacobson, Juan Rael, Kristen O'Hara, Philip Kunsberg, Nancy Barlit, Patrick Duran, Liz Martineau.
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