Los Alamos Creative District
A portion of downtown Los Alamos was designated a New Mexico Arts and Culture District by the state of New Mexico in 2009. It’s one of five in the state and the focus is to share the unique creative heritage of Los Alamos with residents and visitors. The development of the Los Alamos Creative District is intended to serve as a catalyst for supporting restaurant, retail, service, and hospitality businesses within the downtown area. A great deal of information and documentation about the early history of this initiative is available on our blog at laccd.blogspot.com. This blog is longer maintained but may be useful for historic perspective.
A collection of related documents is available for viewing online at the LACD Library:
Request information:
Next Big Idea Slide show:
Events, performances, arts, and activities slide show:
Los Alamos Science slideshow:
Los Alamos Recreation Slideshow:
Los Alamos History Slideshow:
Los Alamos Nature Slideshow:
Los Alamos Setting Slideshow:
Los Alamos People Slideshow:
Vision for the District
The vision statement in the plan answers the question, “What does success look like for the Creative District?”
The Los Alamos Creative District is the intersection of culture and science—a particle collider of ideas and innovation, showcasing the unique talents and intellectual power of the Los Alamos’ community. The Creative District invites the community and the world to participate in exploring the arts, science, technology, history, the natural environment and outdoor recreation. It draws residents and visitors of all ages to downtown Los Alamos with a compelling blend of cultural programs, retail, restaurants, services, residential living, urban design, and architecture. Its creative vitality generates economic prosperity through new jobs and revenues, and its impact is felt far beyond its physical boundaries.
Los Alamos Creative District Steering Committee
Los Alamos Creative District Steering Committee
The creative district steering committee is composed of representatives from:
Los Alamos MainStreet is the organizer of the initiative.
Los Alamos Creative District Steering Committee
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Kevin Holsapple at
661-4806 or kevin@losalamos.org.
- Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
- Los Alamos Arts Council
- Los Alamos Historical Society
- Los Alamos County
- Los Alamos Public Library
- The Historical Districts Advisory Board
- Bradbury Science Museum
- Fuller Lodge Art Center
- Interested property owners and businesses.
Los Alamos MainStreet is the organizer of the initiative.
Los Alamos Creative District Steering Committee
- Corrie Hannavan, Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation (coordinator)
- Nancy Bartlit, Historic Statues Master Plan Committee Chair, Fuller Lodge Historic Districts Advisory Board
- Nona Bowman, Los Alamos Concert Association Board
- Linda Deck, Bradbury Science Museum
- Suzette Fox, Los Alamos MainStreet
- Russ Gordon, Gordon's Concerts
- Marlane Hamilton, Los Alamos Arts Council
- Kevin Holsapple, Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation
- Barbara Judy, Bandelier National Monument
- Charlie Kalogeros-Chattan, Los Alamos County Library System
- Katy Korkos, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce
- Carolyn Mangeng, Los Alamos Master Gardeners
- Heather McClenahan, Los Alamos Historical Museum
- Carol Meine, Los Alamos County Library System
- Ken Nebel, Fuller Lodge Art Center
- Martha Perkins, Los Alamos County Community Development Department
- Lisa Rosendorf, LANL Communication and Government Affairs
- Kelly Stewart, Los Alamos County
- Jim Trump, Union Development Corporation, Build New Mexico
- Holger Waschinski, New Mexico Dance Theater
- Ron Wilkins, Fuller Lodge Historic Districts Advisory Board & Historical Society Board
- Karen Wray, Karen Wray Fine Art
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Kevin Holsapple at
661-4806 or kevin@losalamos.org.
What are people in the community saying about the Creative District?
What are people in the community saying about the Creative District?
“…what arts and cultural districts do…they promote downtown revitalization which is always good – there is never anything bad about that. And it helps promote the resident’s – the county and the District’s residents – own pride and patronage of the town’s offerings. So it is not just for outsiders coming in. It is really for all of us. It is a win-win.”– Linda Deck, Chairman, Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board; Director, Bradbury Science Museum
“…we all realize that the Creative District represents not only an attraction for others but a substantial quality of life improvement for the local people…who we are as a community – we are passionate about our cultural institutions and I think we define ourselves by our cultural institutions…so I hope that we can see the approval of this plan.” – Katy Korkos, Member Services Coordinator, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce
Los Alamos Creative District Plan
Welcoming the world to experience Los Alamos’ unique creativity
Did you know that that one of New Mexico’s six Arts & Culture Districts (ACD) is designated right here within downtown Los Alamos? The designation was made in 2009 and keeping it depends on Los Alamos County adopting a plan to guide the development of the district. The proposed plan will be discussed by the County Council at their work session on Tuesday, July 26th in White Rock. A decision on County adoption of the plan is anticipated a few weeks later.
What is at stake? The State designation brings with it tax advantages for historic properties within the district, a commitment to develop State resources within the economic development, tourism, cultural affairs, and historic preservation departments to assist the ACD’s, and the ability to use provisions of the State’s Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) to aid in implementation of the district. In other words, retaining the designation will provide a greater range of tools and resources to be put into play to enhance cultural and downtown vitality.
Los Alamos MainStreet has led the process of applying for the designation, forming a steering committee of stakeholders, and meeting a series of requirements of the State program leading up to developing the plan for the district. A wide variety of organizations have partnered with the initiative including the County itself. A nationally prominent consultant that specializes in cultural planning, the Cutural + Planning Group of San Diego guided the development of the plan under the direction of the steering committee. The consultant was hired using State grant funding obtained by Los Alamos MainStreet. The planning process entailed multiple public meetings and input gathering sessions over the past year and a half. You can read the plan and supporting materials on the web at www.creativenm.org
The plan establishes goals, strategies, and an implementation in six key areas: programming (ongoing activities and events that reflect the cultural identity of the community); branding and marketing; physical development and facilities; economic development; management; and funding. The initial boundary for the district was the subject of considerable discussion. To receive State endorsement of the plan, it was critical to link the boundary to clear strategies for implementing a cultural district. Without this, the State indicated they would not be willing to accept the plan. The State has fully endorsed the plan that is proceeding for adoption by the County Council. The plan includes the idea that success within the designated boundaries could lead to enlarging the district at a later date if there were a reason to do so.
Cultural districts are being implemented throughout the country and are a proven method of increasing tourism traffic and revenues, while simultaneously supporting local economic and cultural development. Districts create a stronger argument for coming downtown, by promoting a stronger mix of local businesses, cultural activities, visitor amenities, and successful urban design. Districts enhance the attraction of a walkable downtown area, so they serve residents as well as visitors, and generate greater synergy among the unique elements of a place.
Los Alamos MainStreet is anticipated by the plan as the lead implementing organization and the manager of the district process. Los Alamos County would be the source of funding to begin the implementation process. Longer term funding sources would be a proposed downtown tax increment development district (TIDD) and a proposed elective 1/16 GRT increment. TIDD resources would be used for physical and facilities improvements. The GRT increment would be used for programming, marketing, and support of cultural organizations. The TIDD would require no change to tax rates or impose any additional tax burden on local individual taxpayers. The GRT increment could only be established by a successful general referendum indicating support for the initiative.
Want to know more? You can read the plan and other supporting documents and materials at www.creativenm.org. Contact a member of the steering committee that you know, or coordinator Corrie Hannavan, 661-4807, corrie@losalamos.org for more information.
Did you know that that one of New Mexico’s six Arts & Culture Districts (ACD) is designated right here within downtown Los Alamos? The designation was made in 2009 and keeping it depends on Los Alamos County adopting a plan to guide the development of the district. The proposed plan will be discussed by the County Council at their work session on Tuesday, July 26th in White Rock. A decision on County adoption of the plan is anticipated a few weeks later.
What is at stake? The State designation brings with it tax advantages for historic properties within the district, a commitment to develop State resources within the economic development, tourism, cultural affairs, and historic preservation departments to assist the ACD’s, and the ability to use provisions of the State’s Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) to aid in implementation of the district. In other words, retaining the designation will provide a greater range of tools and resources to be put into play to enhance cultural and downtown vitality.
Los Alamos MainStreet has led the process of applying for the designation, forming a steering committee of stakeholders, and meeting a series of requirements of the State program leading up to developing the plan for the district. A wide variety of organizations have partnered with the initiative including the County itself. A nationally prominent consultant that specializes in cultural planning, the Cutural + Planning Group of San Diego guided the development of the plan under the direction of the steering committee. The consultant was hired using State grant funding obtained by Los Alamos MainStreet. The planning process entailed multiple public meetings and input gathering sessions over the past year and a half. You can read the plan and supporting materials on the web at www.creativenm.org
The plan establishes goals, strategies, and an implementation in six key areas: programming (ongoing activities and events that reflect the cultural identity of the community); branding and marketing; physical development and facilities; economic development; management; and funding. The initial boundary for the district was the subject of considerable discussion. To receive State endorsement of the plan, it was critical to link the boundary to clear strategies for implementing a cultural district. Without this, the State indicated they would not be willing to accept the plan. The State has fully endorsed the plan that is proceeding for adoption by the County Council. The plan includes the idea that success within the designated boundaries could lead to enlarging the district at a later date if there were a reason to do so.
Cultural districts are being implemented throughout the country and are a proven method of increasing tourism traffic and revenues, while simultaneously supporting local economic and cultural development. Districts create a stronger argument for coming downtown, by promoting a stronger mix of local businesses, cultural activities, visitor amenities, and successful urban design. Districts enhance the attraction of a walkable downtown area, so they serve residents as well as visitors, and generate greater synergy among the unique elements of a place.
Los Alamos MainStreet is anticipated by the plan as the lead implementing organization and the manager of the district process. Los Alamos County would be the source of funding to begin the implementation process. Longer term funding sources would be a proposed downtown tax increment development district (TIDD) and a proposed elective 1/16 GRT increment. TIDD resources would be used for physical and facilities improvements. The GRT increment would be used for programming, marketing, and support of cultural organizations. The TIDD would require no change to tax rates or impose any additional tax burden on local individual taxpayers. The GRT increment could only be established by a successful general referendum indicating support for the initiative.
Want to know more? You can read the plan and other supporting documents and materials at www.creativenm.org. Contact a member of the steering committee that you know, or coordinator Corrie Hannavan, 661-4807, corrie@losalamos.org for more information.