Important Dates
June 2008
Warehouse 21 Grand Opening
September 2, 2008
Farmers Market Grand Opening
Friday, September 12, 2008
REI Grand Opening
Saturday, September 13. 2008
Railyard Grand Opening
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
First train from Albuquerque arrives
Introduction
The Santa Fe community came together to plan the future of The Santa Fe Railyard. The result is
The Santa Fe Railyard Master Plan that includes:
"green" live-work lofts, studios, art galleries, performance spaces, a new
movie theater, restaurants, a permanent Farmers Market and commercial/retail
space. All this is complimented by 13 acres of
sustainable public park and plaza. The park funding and development was
managed by the
Trust for Public Land. This creative and vibrant neighborhood
has attracted so many new galleries, it is becoming known as the new "Canyon
Road" of Santa Fe.
The
Santa Fe Depot at The Santa Fe Railyard will be the final Santa Fe
stop for the Rail Runner Express train.
Walking the Railyard Park
Pedestrians and cyclists can enter the Railyard complex, as does the
train, at the southwest corner of Cerrillos Road and St. Francis along the
Santa Fe
Rail Trail. The Rail Trail is a city-long pedestrian and cycling path along
the railroad tracks that begins on the south side of Santa Fe. More
precisely, the entrance is at the corner of Alarid and Cerrillos, with
La Choza Restaurant on the left. Alarid Street flanks the Railyard Park
on the west side briefly before the park curves to the northeast.
Most notable when entering the park is the Acequia Madre (Mother Ditch) that
runs along the south side of the park. The Acequia Madre is hundreds of
years old and has served to irrigate crops in the surrounding area.
Bordering the sides of the Acequia Madre are newly planted grasses and walls
made of stone enmeshed in wire called gambions. Further along the Rail Trail path is another
arroyo, the Acequia Nina. This new acequia is lined with stone and runs
perpendicular to the Acequia Madre. Both acequias provide irrigation for the
park gardens. Other walking
paths run parallel to the railroad tracks and Rail Trail. These paths are
framed on each side with old railroad tracks with fine gravel placed under
foot. Relics of the railroad era past have been placed along the paths as
well as a series of large wooden blocks that serve as benches. Most of the
Railyard Park is xeriscaped with rock, gravel, native grasses and drought
tolerant trees. These paths are interconnected with step-like side paths.
The outdoor performance area is a grassy area that serves as comfortable
seating for spectators. The children's play area close to the performance
space also has grass as well as playground equipment, a climbing area and
a prominent fountain made of red stone boulders and concrete. Beyond the
performance space to the north is the beginning of a street named Camino de
la Familia. This street runs along the railroad tracks on the west side of
the park, intersects Paseo De Peralta, and eventually ends behind Borders
Books at Sanbusco Marketplace. The Artyard Lofts and
Warehouse 21, an arts
center for youths, can be found at this end of Camino de la Familia. Just on
the other side of the railroad tracks is Site Santa Fe and the northeast end
of the Railyard Park. Site Santa is a converted warehouse that
showcases its ongoing biennials of avant-garde works contributed by some of
the world's most recognized artists. On the east side of
Site Santa Fe is
the northeast entrance to the park. The beginning of the path here is
covered by a long post and beam trellis designed to be covered in vines.
This trellis leads to yet another gathering place, the circular ramada. This
is a garden area with lots of vegetation, stone work and swings.
Walking the Railyard Plaza
Paseo De Peralta divides the Railyard Park from the Railyard Plaza. A good
place to cross Paseo de Peralta
from the Railyard Park is at the railroad tracks. This south side plaza area
is a corridor with the railroad tracks in the center and commercial
structures on each side. Most notable is a large shade portal with blue
lights topping the posts and the large water reclamation tower further down
the tracks. Next to the portal is the new
Farmers Market building. Vendors
set up shop in the Farmers Market building as well as outside the building
and under the portal.
East of the Farmers Market is the Railyard Galleries complex. The Railyard Galleries compliments Site Santa Fe located across the street on Paseo de Peralta and they add distinction along Guadalupe Street. These buildings are comprised of colorful red stucco, steel, corrugate metal and glass. The entrance from Guadalupe Street suggests a one-story structure. But walking around to the west side that faces the Farmers Market reveals a grand entrance to a two-story structure with even more glass, steel and wood. There is also a white sculptural element that looks somewhat like a sail. Across from the large portal, on the other side of the railroad tracks, are a series of existing buildings that have been incorporated into the plaza area. These include The Box Gallery, The Railyard Performance Space, Museo de Cultural and Santa Fe Clay. Although they border the railroad tracks, they are entered via Paseo de Peralta and Camino de La Familia.
The water reclamation tower is located at the north end of the portal where the corridor opens into a large courtyard area with light sculptures and benches. Here, Alcaldesa Street crosses the railroad tracks and connects to Market Street. Located on Market Street is Market Station, a commercial development containing shops and eateries. At present, it is still under development, but its first tenant, REI Santa Fe, opened its doors in September 2008. More businesses are opening soon: Flying Star Café, Bin 132 and The Maya Railyard 12 Cinema. There is underground parking north of REI and more to come upon completion of the Maya Railyard 12.
Across the railroad tracks from Market Station is another existing structure called The Gross Kelley Warehouse Building. The Gross Kelley Warehouse houses several businesses including Santa Fe Railyard Restaurant & Saloon, Casa Nova and The Station Coffee House and they are accessed from Guadalupe Street. Bordering The Gross Kelley Warehouse on the north is Manhattan Street. It provides access from Guadalupe Street, crosses the railroad tracks and intersects Camino de La Familia. On the east side of the tracks north of Manhattan is Tomasita’s Restaurant. The Santa Fe Depot is also found here. It is shared by the Railrunner Express line from Albuquerque (final stop) and for the Santa Fe Southern Railroad line that takes visitors to Lamy. Across the tracks from here is the Outside Magazine offices and Sanbusco Market Place.
To round out the north end of the Santa Fe Railyard at Montezuma and Guadalupe is The New Mexico Film Office, and interesting mural at the old Joseph F. Halpin Records Center and some additional shops and restaurants along Guadalupe, including the Zia Diner and Cowgirl BBQ.
Community Opportunities
The Farmer’s Market is a popular place to meet friends and neighbors, buy
locally grown produce and to just wander. On a recent fall Saturday, the
Farmers Market was teaming with activity both inside and out. The bike racks
were full and there were those who pulled children’s wagons full of newly
purchased food. The Farmers Market is open Tuesday and Saturday mornings.
The indoor space can be leased for events. It was recently used to host the
performance of the ska band The English Beat. The Farmer’s Market was also
where Governor Bill Richardson welcomed the first train from Albuquerque
into The Santa Fe Railyard. Despite the fact that
there was a winter storm on December 17, 2008, the Farmers Market building
was packed with people and the excitement high when Richardson and all the
other dignitaries stepped off the train and entered The Farmers Market. As
Richardson spoke, the
Railrunner Train, with its bright red roadrunner logo
contrasting against the white falling snow, served as his backdrop through
the windows.
There are several dedicated performance spaces in the Santa Fe Railyard: The
Railyard Park outdoor performance space,
The Railyard Performance Center,
Museo Cultural.
Warehouse 21 is an art center
for youths. It provides an educational, entrepreneurial and presentational
outlet for performing, media and visual arts for young people. Check
individual websites for upcoming events.
Santa Fe Clay offers on-going classes and workshops for both adults and
youth in the art of ceramics.
Living/working in and around the Santa Fe Railyard
The Artyard Lofts provides live/work units within the Railyard. It is
nearing completion and its occupants will become the Railyard’s first residents. Other opportunities exist in the exiting neighborhoods along
the perimeter that are within walking/biking distance to the Santa Fe
Railyard. They include the historic Guadalupe, South Capitol and the Baca
neighborhoods.
