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BELEN—As the saying goes, “A name is just a name,” but for one group in the Hub City, it means a lot.
What was once referred to at the Belen MainStreet Partnership, a local nonprofit whose main goal is to preserve and enhance Belen’s downtown, is now called the Belen Historic Downtown Partnership.
While the name might have changed, the mission has not, said BHDP President Jay Peters.
The Belen Historic Downtown Partnership’s district, which is the focus area for the organization’s activities, is from Reinken Avenue on the north to Becker Avenue on the south, and from Main Street on the west to First Street on the east, including Castillo Avenue.
Peters said with the former name, residents and business owners were confused, saying the organization’s former name was a bit deceiving. They have been looking to change the name for about four to five years.
“We’ve always talked about it because the name was a little deceiving because they thought we should be concentrating on Main Street,” Peters said. “But what they didn’t realize was it was just the name of the national MainStreet program.”
They were also confused why the organization was acquiring grants and focusing on revamping the downtown area, which the majority isn’t on Main Street.
“We’re a National MainStreet Program, and that’s why MainStreet has been in our name, but as we have visited the downtown businesses, they too were confused why it was in the name if only a portion of our district was on Main Street,” said BHDP Executive Director Rhona Espinoza.
She explained the entire program was to focus on small town endeavors, and the name just got people confused. Espinoza said they are happy to be able to change the name and make sure all those involved are included in the district.
While there are plans to expand and redefine the district in the near future, Espinoza said the board doesn’t want it “too big,” saying they want to keep it manageable.
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“We’ve kept it simple, making sure we and others have access to the district by other forms of transportation, such as the trains,” Peters said.
Espinoza said Belen first became part of the program in 2009, and was first certified in 2012.
The BHDP is currently working on a $1.7 million capital outlay grant for the second phase of its Great Blocks on MainStreet Project in downtown Belen. Some of the work to be done will include widening of First Street, new sidewalks, a new entry to the Belen Harvey House Museum, park benches, shade structures, landscaping, drainage improvements and lighting.
In 2020, BMSP, in partnership with the city, received a nearly $700,000 grant for infrastructure improvements on Becker Avenue between First and Second streets.
The organization has also obtained other grants from other organizations and businesses to work on the Old City Hall, the El Corazon de Belen Garden Park, COVID relief, facade grants, wayfinding signs and more.
Along with working along side with the city to complete these projects, the BHDP is continuing working with the Belen Arts and Cultural District, which is working on getting accredited itself. Espinoza said once they receive that designation, the district will be able to apply for different grants to enhance the district.
“We have great support from the city,” Espinoza said. “They’ve been there with us and for us.”
“This is probably the best council that has supported us,” Peters said.
Espinoza said the state and national organizations were cooperative with the local board’s decision to change its name. Peters said there are a lot of other programs in the state that don’t use the MainStreet name.
“We looked at all the names, and we changed it to what’s best for us,” Peters said.
“New Mexico MainStreet has just been wonderful, and they’re very helpful,” Espinoza said. “In February, I just got recognized for being the longest standing MainStreet director in the state. I celebrated 13 years in February.”
