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CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__2
INTRODUCED BY:3
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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

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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

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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

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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
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MICHAEL J. GARCIA, MAYOR10
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ATTEST:12
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GERALYN F. CARDENAS, CITY CLERK15
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:17
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MARCOS D. MARTÍNEZ, CITY ATTORNEY20
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Legislation/2026/Resolutions/Seasonally Closing the Plaza to Vehicular Traffic25