Los Alamos staff to pursue historic‑sensitive permanent protections for Trinity Drive after summer concerts

Los Alamos County Public Works told the Transportation Board it will remove temporary Jersey barriers at Trinity Drive/Ashley Pond after the summer concert series and will develop design options for more permanent, historically sensitive crowd‑protection features.

The barriers were placed temporarily this summer at the police department’s request to protect concert crowds; Public Works said they were loaned by the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Director Martinez said crews will remove the barriers after the final summer concert, although the barriers may remain for one additional event. "The barriers have were placed there just temporarily to address concerns that the police department expressed about crowd safety," Martinez said.

Board members asked for follow-up. Member Talley said the barriers create pedestrian egress concerns because people can be pinned between a parked car and a Jersey barrier. Several members raised aesthetic concerns for the Ashley Pond historic area and requested options that preserve sightlines and the park’s appearance.

Martinez said staff has asked a design consultant to prepare options such as more open‑feeling bollards and other devices that provide pedestrian escape routes while protecting crowds. Because Ashley Pond is a historic area, Martinez said options will be reviewed first by the county’s Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and then submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office for formal review. Staff intends to present visual options to advisory committees and bring recommendations back to the Transportation Board; Martinez estimated preliminary options could be ready within roughly two to four weeks and suggested October or November for board-level review.

Councilor Hand asked whether the barriers’ removal requires council action. Martinez said the barrier placement was a temporary operational safety response and that routine advisory recommendations from the Transportation Board typically do not require council action; if board members want the council to weigh in, staff can place the subject on a council agenda.

No formal action or vote was taken on the barriers; members requested the topic be added to the October Transportation Board agenda for further discussion and to maintain communication with council and historic‑preservation review bodies.