This streetscape plan reimagines the Sawmill District in Albuquerque, New Mexico as a 24/7 cultural, dining, specialty retail, hospitality and entertainment hub. With attractive storefronts, plentiful landscaping, streets and sidewalks, the district is designed to be a rich, open-space network centered on a public plaza. The plan focuses on two public thoroughfares, Bellemah and 20th Street, as well as Crescent Street, a curved and intimate shopping area, with various smaller squares and walks connecting these spaces. Taken together, they will generate a vibrant public realm that will both influence the character of and in turn be defined by the private development to follow.

The primary objective of this streetscape is to create walkable streets that become memorable destinations; multimodal streets that balance the needs of cars and pedestrians; shaded streets that are flexible in their use, accommodating farmers’ markets, street fairs, parades and other special events; a Park Once streetscape with convenient, on-street parking; and prominent locations for public art. Elements such as pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, narrow vehicular travel lanes, safe crosswalks, clear lighting, benches and other street furniture will be key in creating a space that accomplishes these objectives.