Updating Closure Rules on Plaza for Vehicular Traffic (FIR)

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FISCAL IMPACT REPORT
General Information:
(Check) Bill: Resolution: x
Short Title(s): Updating Closure Rules on Plaza for Vehicular Traffic
Sponsor(s): Councilor Patricia Feghali
Reviewing Department(s): Public Works Department, City Attorney’s Office
Staff Completing FIR: _Barbara Lopez, Public Works Project Manager_ Date: 6/15/2026
Phone: (505) 955-2110
Reviewed by City Attorney: Date:
Reviewed by Finance Director: Date:
Summary:
The attached resolution would amend Resolution Nos. 2014-49 and 2016-80 to close the streets to vehicular
traffic surrounding Plaza Park annually from Memorial Day to October 31st or later. It would also
permanently close Lincoln Avenue and Palace Avenue, next to Plaza Park to vehicular traffic. Specifically,
the resolution directs the City Manager to effectuate the following actions:
1) Amend Resolution 2014-49 to remove the “continuation” of the closure of Palace
Avenue along Plaza Park and establish that it shall remain closed to vehicular traffic
permanently; and
2) Amend Resolution 2016-80 to establish that Lincoln Avenue along Plaza Park shall
remain closed to vehicles permanently; and
3) Amend Resolution 2016-80 to establish that the restriction of vehicular traffic around
Plaza Park, including San Francisco Street, shall occur annually from Memorial Day
to October 31st or such later date determined by the city manager; and
4) Designate Palace Avenue between Lincoln Avenue and Washington Avenue
exclusively as a loading and unloading zone for Plaza vendors and Palace of the
Governors vendors, and prohibit vehicular traffic, pedicab operations, walking tours,
and bicycle tours from operating within this area; and
5) Designate cruise nights which will permit all four streets surrounding the Plaza to be
open to vehicular traffic during the designated cruise nights.
Departments Affected:
Public Works Department, Parks and Open Space Department, Santa Fe Police Department, Parking
Division, and Santa Fe Fire Department
Consequences of Not Enacting Legislation:
If this legislation is not adopted, the requirements contained in Resolution Nos. 2014-49 and 2016-80 would
not be updated, and would remain status quo. Additionally, Palace Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, along
Plaza Park, would not be close permanently to vehicles.
FIR No. 1064.1Marcos D. Martinez (Jun 18, 2026 14:25:39 MDT)
Marcos D. Martinez06/18/2026ANDREA PHILLIPS (Jun 18, 2026 14:59:40 MDT)06/18/2026

Adopted: 01/12/05; revised 8/24/05; 4/17/08; 2
Conflict, Duplication, Companionship, or Relationship to Other Legislation:
This resolution is related to Resolution Nos. 2014-49, 2014-75, 2016-80
Performance and Administrative Implications:
The Santa Fe Police Department would need to deliver and place Meridian Barriers at San Francisco Street
at Don Gaspar Avenue and San Fransico Street at Old Santa Fe Trail. Parks and Open Space maintenance
staff would need to place regulatory signage to notify motorists of the vehicular restrictions associated with
the Plaza closure.
Fiscal Implications:
Implementation of the closure of the Plaza to vehicular traffic would require the installation of traffic control
measures and regulatory signage to ensure public safety, preserve pedestrian access, and maintain orderly
use of the Plaza area. To effectively restrict vehicle access, Meridian Barriers would need to be installed at
San Francisco Street at Don Gaspar Avenue and San Francisco Street at Old Santa Fe Trail. The Meridian
Barriers would be delivered and installed by the Santa Fe Police Department at a cost of $4,896, which
would cover the labor of six officers for the installation. Permanent traffic signs would also need to be
installed at all entrances to Palace Avenue between Lincoln Avenue and Washington Avenue to notify
motorists of the vehicular restrictions. Additional signage would need to be installed to indicate prohibited
commercial walking tours, bicycle tours, and pedicab operations within the designated loading and
unloading zone. The cost of the regulatory and prohibitory signs would be $200, and the cost for parks and
open space maintenance staff to install would be $200.
Fiscal Impact
Check here if no fiscal impact

Expenditures
Expenditure Narrative:
The estimated one-time implementation cost associated with the permanent Plaza closure is $5,296 per year. These expenditures would be
absorbed by existing City of Santa Fe departmental budgets unless otherwise appropriated by the Governing Body. The proposed traffic control
and signage measures are intended to improve pedestrian safety, reduce operational conflicts, protect emergency access routes, and support the
long-term management of the Plaza as a pedestrian-focused public space.
Revenue
Revenue Type FYE 2026 FYE 2027 FYE 2028 Recurring (R) or Non-recurring (NR) Fund
General Fund $ $______ $
Special Revenue $ $ $
CIP $ $ $
Enterprise $ $ $
Internal Service $ $ $
Trust and Agency
Federal
$
$
$
$
$
$
Other $ $ $
Total $ $ $
Revenue Narrative:
Expenditure
Type
FYE 2027 FYE 2028 FYE 2029 Require BAR
(Y/N)
Recurring (R) or Non-
recurring (NR)
Fund 3-Year Total
Cost
Personnel and
Benefits*
$ 5096 $ 5096 $ 5096 No Reoccurring
Capital Outlay $ $ $
Contractual/
Professional Services
$ $ $
Operating $ 200 $ 200 $ 200 $ 600
Total: $ 5296 $ 5296 $ 5296 $ 15888

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