The City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation and The Trust for Public Land are pleased to announce that plans are being finalized for a Sept. 13 and 14 community grand opening to launch the revitalized 50-acre Railyard.
Santa Feans of all ages are invited to celebrate the long-awaited completion of the city’s new arts-and-culture corridor, and social, commercial, and residential district in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. This free public grand opening will feature two days of live local and regional music, great food and special activities for the entire family. While specific events are still being confirmed, tentative plans for the weekend include a free movie in the new Railyard Park, children’s art making, lowrider cars and bikes, corvettes, live music performances, the arrival of the Rail Runner Express, and on Sunday, free short train rides on the Santa Fe Southern Railway. An official ribbon cutting and multi-faith blessing round out the festivities. An official schedule will be issued closer to the event dates.
During the grand opening guests will be encouraged to explore the entire stretch of the new Railyard — from the beautiful 10-acre Railyard Park at the Railyard’s south end, through the central Railyard Plaza and Market Station, to the historic depot and other highlights at the project’s north end. Railyard retailers and nonprofits, including the Santa Fe Farmers Market, Warehouse 21, El Museo Cultural and SITE Santa Fe, will be open for business, many with special activities. Plans for free bus service and other special transportation options to the event are also in the works
“This is an exciting time as plans are made for the grand opening of the Santa Fe Railyard,” says Mayor David Coss. “On September 13 and 14 we will celebrate a vibrant new gathering place that will connect east, west, north and south, a community dream 20 years in the making.”
“The debut of Santa Fe’s new central park, plaza, and walk-bike trails at the Railyard will provide Santa Feans with healthy new options for enjoying time and activity with family and friends,” adds Jenny Parks, state director of the New Mexico office of The Trust for Public Land (TPL), which is developing the 12-acre Railyard Park and Plaza on the city’s behalf. “The Railyard will add so much to our community’s quality of life. Our staff and volunteers are so eager to see Santa Feans enjoy these special places.”
Richard Czoski, executive director of the private, nonprofit Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation (SFRCC), adds, “SFRCC has supervised the construction and property lease management of the newly revitalized Railyard District over the last six years to its current balanced mix of community non-profits, locally owned businesses and live/work residential spaces, and regional/national businesses. We are honored that the City has entrusted our organization with the future management of the Railyard lease properties and beautiful new public spaces. We welcome all Santa Feans to come enjoy their Railyard.”
The Railyard grand opening realizes the success of a longtime community dream to transform the historic Santa Fe Railyard into a unique melding of commercial, residential and nonprofit entities featuring 12 acres of beautiful parklands and public gathering spaces. The new Railyard will offer all ages such diverse activities as biking, dining, movies, art exhibits, the Farmers Market, public performances and more. With the historic train depot designated as a stop for the new Rail Runner Express, and the longtime hub of the Santa Fe Southern Railway, the area also will be a center of transportation, business, and tourism for the entire state.
The revitalized Railyard is the result of a vibrant public-private partnership between the City of Santa Fe, which owns the site, TPL, SFRCC, various on-site nonprofit entities, and countless public and private donors that have invested an estimated $125 million in the project. Hundreds of community members, various City Mayors, City Councilors, staff, and other public officials have also worked together to make the Railyard revitalization a reality
