Regular Governing Body Meeting - Second Wednesday — Wed, Jul 8, 2026 · 9.i CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2026-____. (Councilor Patricia Feghali and Councilor Alma Castro) A Resolution Amending Resolution Nos. 2014-49 and 2016-80 to Close the Streets Surrounding Plaza Park Annually from Memorial Day to October 31st or Later and to Close Lincoln Avenue and Palace Avenue, Next to Plaza Park Permanently. (Sam Burnett, Public Works Director; jsburnett@santafenm.gov) Committee Review: Governing Body (Introduced): 06/24/2026 Public Works and Utilities Committee: 06/29/2026 Quality of Life Committee: 07/01/2026 Finance Committee: 07/06/2026 Governing Body: 07/08/2026
10764.1 1 CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__2 INTRODUCED BY:3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Councilor Patricia Feghali Councilor Alma Castro A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NOS. 2014-49 AND 2016-80 TO CLOSE THE STREETS SURROUNDING PLAZA PARK ANNUALLY FROM MEMORIAL DAY TO OCTOBER 31ST OR LATER AND TO CLOSE LINCOLN AVENUE AND PALACE AVENUE, NEXT TO PLAZA PARK, PERMANENTLY. WHEREAS, the Santa Fe Plaza ) has been the commercial, social, and political center of Santa Fe since 1610; and WHEREAS, the Plaza is a destination for many visitors interested in Santa Fe history and culture; and WHEREAS, SFCC 1987, Section 23-5 regulates the use of the Plaza, Plaza Park and Plaza periphery; and WHEREAS, SFCC 1987, Section 23-5.1 (S), (T), and (W) defines the Plaza and the Plaza Park area as follows:22 Plaza means that inclusive area bounded on the north by the north curbline of23 Palace Avenue running in front of the Palace of the Governors, and on all other sides by24 the facades of the buildings, excluding portals, or property lines lying to the east, south and25 10764.1 2 west of the Plaza Park as outlined in the map prepared by the city, labeled "Plaza Park1 Map."2 Plaza Park means that inclusive area bounded by the inside back of the curb3 surrounding the Plaza as outlined in the map prepared by the city, labeled "Plaza Park4 Map."5 WHEREAS, the Plaza belongs to all of Santa Fe and is home to many annual events that6 draw residents and visitors to the Plaza and creates social connections, economic development, and7 funding for community non-profits, including but not limited to the eight major events authorized8 by SFCC 1987, Section 23-5.2(A)(1)(a-h); and9 WHEREAS, many cities are reducing vehicular traffic as a way to preserve and protect10 historic areas as well as enhance pedestrian safety; and11 WHEREAS, the City has limited vehicular access to the streets around the Plaza Park over12 the years by closing Palace Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and Old Santa Fe trail for various reasons13 and as described in Resolution Nos. 2014-49, 2014-75, and 2016-80; and14 WHEREAS, the City already often closes San Francisco Street during the summer months15 due to events, and closing San Francisco Street seasonally would lead to more predictability for16 drivers and pedestrians; and17 WHEREAS, specifically, Resolution No. 2014-49 notes that as a result of a 2003 safety18 , Palace Avenue in front of the Palace of the19 Governors was closed to vehicular traffic with the exception of loading and unloading and20 , and then the resolution goes on to authorize a [c]ontinuation of the21 closure of Palace Avenue22 WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2016-80 amended Resolution No. 2014-75 to extend23 the established time period for vehicular traffic restriction around Plaza Park on Lincoln Avenue24 and Old Santa Fe Trail to determined by the25 10764.1 3 city manage ; and1 WHEREAS, Lincoln Avenue has not reopened to vehicles after the summer closure for2 several years, to the benefit of pedestrians and visitors to the Plaza; and3 WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2020-24 established a framework for evaluating the4 temporary closure of streets to vehicular traffic during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which only5 applied to the year 2020 and is no longer relevant; and6 WHEREAS, in an effort to create continued enhancement of pedestrian safety and7 enjoyment of the Plaza area, the Governing Body wishes to further reduce vehicular traffic on the8 plaza.9 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE10 CITY OF SANTA FE that the streets around Plaza Park shall be closed to vehicular traffic, except11 for bicycles and other human-powered, non-electric devices, from Memorial Day to October 31 or12 such later date determined by the city manager, annually.13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager shall direct appropriate staff to14 take the appropriate steps to effectuate the following actions:15 1) Amend Resolution 2014- of16 Palace Avenue along Plaza Park and establish that it shall remain closed to17 vehicular traffic permanently; and18 2) Amend Resolution 2016-80 to establish that Lincoln Avenue along Plaza Park19 shall remain closed to vehicular traffic permanently; and20 3) Amend Resolution 2016-80 to establish that the restriction of vehicular traffic21 around Plaza Park, including San Francisco Street, shall occur annually from22 Memorial Day to October 31st or such later date determined by the city23 manager; and24 4) Designate Palace Avenue between Lincoln Avenue and Washington Avenue25 10764.1 4 exclusively as a loading and unloading zone for Plaza vendors and Palace of1 the Governors vendors, and prohibit vehicular traffic, pedicab operations,2 walking tours, and bicycle tours from operating within this area; and3 5) Designate cruise nights which will permit all four streets surrounding the Plaza4 to be open to vehicular traffic during the designated cruise nights.5 PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this ______day of ___________, 2026.6 7 8 ____________________________9 MICHAEL J. GARCIA, MAYOR10 11 ATTEST:12 13 ________________________________14 GERALYN F. CARDENAS, CITY CLERK15 16 APPROVED AS TO FORM:17 18 _________________________________19 MARCOS D. MARTÍNEZ, CITY ATTORNEY20 21 22 23 24 Legislation/2026/Resolutions/Seasonally Closing the Plaza to Vehicular Traffic25