The Town of Silver City received $500,000 in state capital improvement funds during this year's state legislative session for ongoing repairs to the Silver City Waterworks Building, established in 1887, which provided the town’s first municipal water supply. Known as the "Rock House,” the building is the only surviving stone building from this era in Silver City, and is being restored as part of the overall development of this historic site, which will serve as a layover station for hikers and bikers along the Continental Divide Trail.Road Improvements, Waterworks Building, and Tour of the Gila Funded
The recent session of the New Mexico State Legislature proved successful for the Town of Silver City and its current list of capital improvement priorities, as the town is slated to receive nearly $2 million for various capital improvement projects.
"As always, we're very grateful to our state legislators for supporting local capital improvement projects that not only improve quality of life and safety for local residents, but also support local economic development," said James Marshall, assistant town manager, who is the town's point person in Santa Fe for the annual legislative session. "Also, much of this capital funding comes directly from Governor Lujan Grisham's office, and we're very grateful to the Governor and, of course, to Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales for his ongoing support."
The largest budget item is $1 million for improvements to Little Walnut Road, including right-of-way acquisitions of land to support the redesign, rebuilding and expansion of this town roadway just north of Chavez Lane to include the addition of bicycle lanes, improved curb and gutter for better drainage as well as ADA-compliant sidewalks, drive pads, signage and striping.
Another $500,000 will support the ongoing renovation of the historic Waterworks building on Little Walnut, also known as the "Rock House." Current plans at the site call for the creation of a layover station for Continental Divide Trail users, offering hikers and bikers camping sites, rest rooms, kitchen facilities and other amenities to be developed over time, which will also be available for use by area residents. The Rock House itself will be developed into a museum, retail and event space, creating economic development opportunities, all while highlighting local history and culture and honoring the building's original product - water.
In late November, Silver City's Southwest New Mexico Arts, Culture and Tourism (swnmACT), a local non-profit organization, received funding from the New Mexico Economic Development Department's Outdoor Recreation Division to construct an education pavilion at the historic site.
Improvements to Ridge Road will expand from Bob White Drive to Fairway Drive, thanks to an additional $200,000 allocation which will be used for paving, drainage improvements, ADA-compliant sidewalks on the east side of the street, drive-pads, signage and striping to include bike lanes.
Other monies allocated to support Silver City's outdoor recreational assets include $150,000 for clean-up and improvements to the San Vicente Trail, and another $82,000 to support and promote the Tour of the Gila bicycle race, scheduled to begin September 29.
For more information visit the Town of Silver City website, www.townofsilvercity.org.