Alamogordo Main Street outlines downtown upgrades, grants and events as Main Street Makeover nears completion

Nolan Ojeda, executive director of Alamogordo Main Street, told the City Commission on Tuesday that downtown redevelopment projects, grants and volunteer efforts have combined to drive private investment and programming as the Main Street Makeover enters its final stages. “We are elbow deep in the Main Street Makeover… I cannot sing the praises of the city, the senior project manager, and the contractors,” Ojeda said. The civic nonprofit described work completed this year and plans for FY26: façade grants for local businesses, a Side Street Art mural program, a Main Street Makeover that affected 32 businesses on two blocks, and a Science Discovery grant from Main Street America to map the community’s science assets. Ojeda said the organization and its partners secured about $60,000 from Otero County for a hardship/value-added grant program that provided an average of nearly $6,000 to each participating business that completed training classes. Why it matters: the presentation framed downtown improvements as both place-making and economic development. Ojeda reported more than $1 million in private investment in downtown properties and said the city performed approximately $1.8 million in utility work on the makeover corridor; he also noted more than $70,000 in consultant services from New Mexico Main Street and other grant-supported technical assistance. Supporting details: Main Street staff said Side Street Art produced murals and will hold a Community Choice voting and grand-opening event on Aug. 15; the Science Discovery grant will produce an asset map and offers up to a $20,000 implementation grant later this year. The nonprofit has fundraised about $10,000 for the Side Street Art grand opening and raised $30,000 to match façade improvements that will cover roughly $60,000 of building-front upgrades across 13–15 properties. Commissioners and the mayor responded with praise and questions about ongoing events and business openings downtown; Mayor Payne and several commissioners credited volunteer hours and local leadership. Ojeda highlighted volunteer hours and the Mary Means Leadership Award given to Claudia Loya, the first New Mexican recipient. “We put Christmas on Main Street on with a budget of $4,500,” Ojeda said, noting larger-scale events are planned as the street reopens. Looking ahead: Main Street asked the commission and city staff to continue partnering on sidewalk reopening, event support and promotion. Ojeda said the 900 block sidewalks should re-open soon and noted ongoing fundraising for a promotional commercial and grand-opening events after construction is finished.