New Mexico State Fair Commissioners wanted to honor the legacy of the state’s governors. Original thoughts included Governor’s Day at Expo New Mexico, but they decided they wanted to commemorate the many who have held the state’s highest office.
Commissioners turned to the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning for suggestions.
Avenue of the Governors, formerly Main Street at Expo New Mexico, was an idea that came out of a second semester first year graduate landscape architecture studio class taught by Joni Palmer, visiting assistant professor in landscape architecture.
On Thursday, Sept. 2, at 9 a.m. an official ceremony and ribbon cutting will be held at Expo New Mexico. Five of the six former governors will be honored. Also being recognized will be Palmer and her students.
Bennie Aragon, coordinator of special projects for Expo New Mexico, approached Alf Simon, director of the landscape architecture program, about the idea.
“They liked the idea of a commemoration, not a memorial or object, but rather a space,” Simon said.
The students conducted a 10-day charrette, or brainstorming session, and the three most viable ideas were put forward.
“Bennie was very enthusiastic about it. He pushed forward the idea to change the street name. The State Fair Commission passed it by unanimous vote in May. He also set forth to have the dedication on opening day,” Palmer said.
Fred Peralta, Expo manager, and Rodger Beimer, deputy manager, were also supportive of the students’ ideas. “It was Fred’s idea to include the students in the official ceremony,” Aragon said.
“We initially thought about hiring an architect, but Governor Richardson has set his agenda on education. We all liked the idea of students being involved in the project. We are very satisfied with their work. They’ve done a great job. We all feel the project is more meaningful because it came from them. We anticipate them being involved in other aspects of this project down the road,” Aragon said.
The students from the landscape architecture 502 studio were: Michael Chavez, John Cipoletti, Matthew Cohen, John Finley, Naoko Fujii, Shafee Jones-Wilson, Brett Milligan, Genieve Sanchez, Roxanne Smith and Elise Welch.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920