Colorado begins awarding new Revitalizing Main Streets grants from additional state stimulus funding

Courier photo Alamosa one of four SLV cities to receive Revitalizing Main Streets grants.

SLV in line for nearly $400,000 in grants

STATEWIDE —The Colorado Department of Transportation continues to award Revitalizing Main Streets grants to help communities improve their roadways and community infrastructure, supporting strong economic activity and public safety. The Revitalizing Main Streets grant program began last summer in an effort to mitigate the negative economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis. The continuation and expansion of this program was made possible through a $30 million allocation from the state legislature in March 2021 and those funds are currently available for local government competition, with significant anticipated demand. Importantly, the passage of SB-260 would further extend this highly successful program beyond the current grant cycle.

Among the recipients were the San Luis Valley’s own; Alamosa, Crestone, La Jara and Manassa.

Alamosa is due $249, 999 from the grant cycle. The money is allotted to go toward the project of five parklets along Main Street, rectangular flashing beacons for pedestrian safety and the final $149,999 will go towards creating approximately 11 feet of outdoor space on Main Street to allow for outdoor dining and retail.

Crestone is scheduled to receive $50,000 for installing covered seating areas in town park for eating and encouraging other outdoor activities.

La Jara will use their $50,000 for upgrading a portion of existing sidewalk in downtown as well as placing new benches with COVID prevention sanitation stations and installing 4 planters along main street.

The fourth and final valley recipient, Manassa, will use their $50,000 on a Bike and Walk project constructing a bike path for a half-mile along 1st Street connecting Manassa to M-Hill trail.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to support our community and attract even more business to our fun downtown areas through creative and practical transportation-related safety projects,” said Governor Jared Polis. “As we recover from the pandemic and work to build back Colorado even stronger, this investment will create meaningful and lasting improvements along our beloved main streets.”

Since the program’s inception, 84 projects have been awarded from the program’s original set of funding and an additional six projects have now been awarded from the $30 million in stimulus funding announced on March 19 - bringing the total Revitalizing Main Streets grant awards to 90 projects statewide and growing. Awarded projects span the entire state, from Denver and Boulder to Hugo and Limon to Frisco and Rifle.

“Expanding this program helps communities of all sizes across the state of Colorado implement projects catered toward all modes of transportation to enhance safety, improve the local environment, and support economic vitality,” said said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “These partnerships between CDOT and local governments are vital as we work together to help downtown areas stay dynamic and vibrant.”