The streetscape for Central Avenue between 15th and 20th Street is making significant progress. A MainStreet Capital Outlay grant for $70,000 was received by Los Alamos MainStreet at the beginning of 2014 from the state program to help with design elements – benches, trash and recycle receptacles, bike racks, and new LED fixtures for pedestrian and street lights.
You may have noticed there were three different colored light poles along Central – black, green and silver. To help unify design and give our streets a cohesive look, the black Victorian pedestrian lamps were painted silver and the green street lights were also painted silver.
The new LED light fixtures were specifically chosen for their mid-century modern design. A subcommittee from the MainStreet Futures Committee looked at historic light fixtures from the 40’s and 50’s and closely matched the design, then the benches were selected from the same time period.
Most of the benches have been installed. Trash and recycle bins are being placed. Recycle bins were added for sustainability. Bike racks and new LED lights should be in place by the end of January.
This design will be replicated as a standard for future projects by the county. Los Alamos’ history is important and should be celebrated. To choose streetscape design to match and highlight our unique history is a good way to go.