Amendment E - Plaza Park (M. Garcia)

Extracted text

10764.1 (E)
CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) TO RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___
Seasonally Closing the Plaza to Vehicular Traffic
Mayor and Members of the City Council:
In relation to Resolution No. 2026-___.
This amendment WILL change the caption. __X___
This amendment WILL NOT change the caption. _____
I intend to propose the following amendment(s),
CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__
INTRODUCED BY:
Councilor Patrica Feghali
Councilor Alma Castro
Amendment E –– Mayor Garcia
A RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO COORDINATE WITH THE APPROPRIATE CITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEES, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND STAFF TO 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, TO
DESIGNATE A MINIMUM OF SIX AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT PARKING

10764.1 (E)
SPACES, TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF DESIGNATING A “DROP-OFF/PICK-UP” AREA;
SPECIFYING THAT THE CLOSURES WILL BEGIN ON MEMORIAL DAY IN 2027.
WHEREAS, the Santa Fe Plaza (“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:
Plaza means that inclusive area bounded on the north by the north curbline of Palace
Avenue running in front of the Palace of the Governors, and on all other sides by the facades of the
buildings, excluding portals, or property lines lying to the east, south and west of the Plaza Park as
outlined in the map prepared by the city, labeled "Plaza Park Map."
Plaza Park means that inclusive area bounded by the inside back of the curb surrounding
the Plaza as outlined in the map prepared by the city, labeled "Plaza Park Map."
WHEREAS, the Plaza belongs to all of Santa Fe and is home to many annual events that draw
residents and visitors to the Plaza and creates social connections, economic development, and funding for
community non-profits, including but not limited to the eight major events authorized by SFCC 1987,
Section 23-5.2(A)(1)(a-h); and
WHEREAS, many cities are reducing vehicular traffic as a way to preserve and protect historic
areas as well as enhance pedestrian safety; and
WHEREAS, the City has limited vehicular access to the streets around the Plaza Park over the
years by closing Palace Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and Old Santa Fe trail for various reasons and as
described in Resolution Nos. 2014-49, 2014-75, and 2016-80; and

10764.1 (E)
WHEREAS, the City already often closes San Francisco Street during the summer months due to
events, and closing San Francisco Street seasonally would lead to more predictability for drivers and
pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, specifically, Resolution No. 2014-49 notes that as a result of a 2003 safety
recommendation from the “Plaza Task Force,” that “Palace Avenue in front of the Palace of the Governors
was closed to vehicular traffic with the exception of loading and unloading and emergency vehicle access”,
and then the resolution goes on to authorize a “[c]ontinuation of the closure of Palace Avenue”; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2016-80 amended Resolution No. 2014-75 to extend the established
time period for vehicular traffic restriction around Plaza Park on Lincoln Avenue and Old Santa Fe Trail to
Memorial Day through October 31 “or such later date determined by the city manager…; and
WHEREAS, Lincoln Avenue has not reopened to vehicles after the summer closure for several
years, to the benefit of pedestrians and visitors to the Plaza; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2020-24 established a framework for evaluating the temporary
closure of streets to vehicular traffic during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which only applied to the year
2020 and is no longer relevant; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to create continued enhancement of pedestrian safety and enjoyment of
the Plaza area, the Governing Body wishes to further reduce vehicular traffic on the plaza.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY
OF SANTA FE that the streets around Plaza Park shall be closed to vehicular traffic, except for bicycles
and other human-powered, non-electric devices, from Memorial Day to October 31 or such later date
determined by the city manager, annually.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager shall direct coordinate appropriate City
advisory committees (including groups such as the Public Safety Committee and the Mayor’s Committee
on Disability), community groups, and staff to take the appropriate steps 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

10764.1 (E)
permanently; and
2) Amend Resolution 2016-80 to establish that Lincoln Avenue along Plaza Park shall
remain closed to vehicular traffic permanently; and
2) 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
3) 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
4) Designate cruise nights which will permit all four streets surrounding the Plaza to be
open to vehicular traffic during the designated cruise nights.
Designate a minimum of six Americans with Disabilities (“ADA”) parking spaces
within 100 feet of the Plaza; and
5) Assess the feasibility of designating a “drop-off/pick-up” area that is accessible for
ADA purposes; and
6) Identify dates on which through-traffic will be permitted, which shall include
weekends whenever possible, and, no later than April 1st, 2027, and by April 1st every
year thereafter, the City shall publicize these dates.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all closures are consistent with all SFCC 1987 requirements
for obstructions and loading zones as well as with adopted International Fire Code regulations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the closures of the streets surrounding Plaza Park will begin
on Memorial Day in 2027.

10764.1 (E)
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
MICHAEL J. GARCIA, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________
MARCOS D. MARTÍNEZ, CITY ATTORNEY
ADOPTED:
NOT ADOPTED: _______________
DATE: ________________________
ATTEST:
________________________________
GERALYN F. CARDENAS, CITY CLERKMarcos D. Martinez (Jul 29, 2026 15:59:23 MDT)
Marcos D. Martinez

Amendment E - M. Garcia
Interim Agreement Report 2026-07-29
Created: 2026-07-29
By: INDIRA innadasen-gladstone@santafenm.gov (innadasen-gladstone@santafenm.gov)
Status: Out for Signature
Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAN4EGkXCvf8AFY0argHV9vZyvNnZts4ly
Documents: Amendment E - M. Garcia.docx (5 pages)
Agreement History
Agreement history is the list of the events that have impacted the status of the agreement prior to the final signature. A final audit report will
be generated when the agreement is complete.
"Amendment E - M. Garcia" History
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