Balancing the Past and Possibility

Published November 22nd, 2024 at 4:08 pm, Last Updated November 27th, 2024 at 9:30 am

Nestled in the heart of Corrales, nonprofit Corrales MainStreet serves as a community hub, blending the village’s historic rural charm with modern aspirations. 

Founded in 1996, Corrales MainStreet is part of the New Mexico MainStreet program, an initiative of the New Mexico Economic Development Department that fosters economic vitality while preserving cultural and historic resources. 

“MainStreet programs are a national trust rooted in historic preservation,” said Angela Gutierrez, the executive director of Corrales MainStreet. “In many ways, the most recent concerns are something that are safeguarded by the work that a MainStreet program is doing. It’s historic preservation first. It’s the effort to make sure that those things stay what they originally were and what everyone wants.”

Operating independently under a service contract with the village, Corrales MainStreet supports small businesses, encourages community engagement and preserves the village’s unique heritage. This system allows Corrales MainStreet to seek projects and fundraising activities that the village may be restricted from due to legal constraints, such as the anti-donation clause.

According to Gutierrez, Corrales MainStreet fills the role typically held by a chamber of commerce in the village. While chambers of commerce function as membership-driven organizations, Corrales MainStreet does not require business memberships. Instead, it focuses on building broader community partnerships. 

Corrales MainStreet is also represented on the Sandoval County Tourism Alliance board, a position the organization rejoins annually. It works with all businesses within its geographical boundary, encompassing the commercial zone or mixed-use zone, from the Village Mercantile to the Old Church.

Corrales MainStreet is a volunteer-driven organization with only two paid staff members — Gutierrez and Assistant Director Jessi Penrod. The board is hands-on, actively participating in events like ribbon cuttings, while the executive board, including the treasurer and secretary, ensures smooth operations.

The nonprofit depends heavily on the dedication and expertise of its volunteer board members and community members who contribute their time. Volunteers play a crucial role in driving community involvement, which is essential to the organization’s success.

“Corrales is really rich with volunteers and people that are generous with their time,” Gutierrez said.

From spearheading initiatives that enhance public spaces to advocating for economic opportunities, the organization serves as a unifying force, ensuring that progress respects the traditions and values that define Corrales.

“The way I’ve seen the work [of Corrales MainStreet], is to bring all the organizations together and try to communicate with each other, so we are all able to help and promote each other because there are a lot of great organizations in Corrales that do a lot of things,” Gutierrez said. “Historically, I think it felt like everyone’s sort of doing their own thing and maybe not necessarily coordinating as much as we could have.”

According to Gutierrez, Corrales MainStreet aims to be a responsive resource for the community, welcoming ideas and collaboration with residents and organizations to bring projects to life. With a focus on communication and accessibility, the organization encourages Corraleños to ask questions, stay informed about activities and rely on Corrales MainStreet as a central contact point and information hub for village matters.

Projects

Corrales MainStreet is currently partnering with Corrales Horse and Mule People (CHAMP), the Sandoval Equestrian Advisory Council and the Pedestrian and Equestrian Commission on a safety initiative to address increased traffic and promote responsible tourism, Gutierrez said. 

The project involves creating videos, social media campaigns and signage with consistent messaging about respecting the village’s rural setting, specifically slowing down for horses and pedestrians. Feedback from the village government and fire department will ensure its success.

The idea came about, Gutierrez said, from Patty Flanagan, the CHAMP president. Flanagan emphasized the need for a unified safety message across all outreach materials to promote awareness effectively. 

Another project Corrales MainStreet is involved with is the newly created Corrales Farm Cooperative (CFC), a nonprofit formed by local farmers to address agricultural challenges, particularly the unreliable water supply worsened by climate change and inefficient management. 

“Corrales Farmer Cooperative came out of an effort to try to figure out if there’s any solution to the siphon, then obviously the property tax assessment,” Gutierrez said. “There have been multiple things that are making farming more difficult than normal.”

The cooperative will be an advocate for better water access, educating the public and collaborating with various groups like the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.  The organization will seek funding for sustainable agriculture projects and also work to create a produce storage facility.

Corrales MainStreet and the farmer co-op are also exploring the idea of creating a community commercial kitchen for local farmers and growers. Gutierrez said MainStreet is talking with the Town of Bernalillo about turning the old Roosevelt School into a large commercial kitchen. This facility would give Sandoval County farmers the ability to make specialty goods from their harvests in a certified facility.

Corrales is also debating a proposed creation of an Arts and Cultural District. The state designation is intended to support areas rich in cultural and artistic assets and has sparked extensive discussions at council meetings and lively debates within online community groups.

According to Gutierrez, the designation could provide access to funding opportunities, double tax credits for historic properties and increase tourism.

The district would encompass the existing commercial zone and include the Old Church and Casa San Ysidro, highlighting their cultural and historical significance.

She said Corrales has developed a cultural economic development plan to help secure authorization for an Arts and Cultural District.

Once the village’s comprehensive plan is completed and approved, and any potential conflicts or concerns regarding the cultural plan are addressed, the village will submit its application to the New Mexico Arts Council for final approval.

Some Corrales residents have expressed concerns that the proposed Arts and Cultural District could lead to overdevelopment and alter the village’s character. Critics fear the designation might be used as a tool to promote growth.

Gutierrez said the authorization does not bypass existing planning or zoning processes. Proposed developments would still require community input, administrative review and adherence to village ordinances. She added the cultural plan serves as a resource to support the creative economy, not a directive for specific projects.

Getting Involved 

Corraleños with questions or concerns can reach out via email at visitcorrales@gmail.com, call 505-350-3955, or visit in person at 4324 Corrales Road.