The American Planning Association (APA) announced October 2, that Canyon Road in Santa Fe has been designated as one of 10 Great Streets for 2007 through APA’s Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.

“We are honored that Canyon Road has received this recognition,” Santa Fe Mayor David Coss said. “In the last century, Canyon Road has transitioned from a traditional Santa Fe neighborhood to a world-renowned center for artists and art lovers,” he added.

Mayor Coss continued, “The real beauty of Canyon Road is that while the commercial aspect has evolved, the neighborhood has maintained much of its original character and human scale under the protection of the city’s historic preservation law. Adding to the visual ambience of the low-scale abode buildings, the adjoining streets bear the names of the Hispanic families who lived on Canyon Road before the homes were converted to galleries. Canyon Road is a look back in time and truly a great American street.”

APA selected Canyon Road as a Great Street because of its creative planning, zoning and preservation programs that have preserved, and at the same time nurtured, Santa Fe’s culturally rich artistic community.
“We’re excited to designate Canyon Road as one of our 2007 Great Streets,” said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. “It’s impressive that this road goes back more than 400 years. Santa Fe is to be commended for all it has done to ensure that Canyon Road continues to anchor the city’s internationally famous art row,” he said.

Shoulder to shoulder with restaurants and bars where one can find world-class Spanish classical guitar, flamenco, and jazz, the combination keeps Canyon Road lively and unique. While persons living along Canyon Road, like many parts of Santa Fe, face challenges connected with housing affordability, the Road’s galleries and other businesses are a vital component of Santa Fe’s art-based economy that provides some 2,500 jobs and $54 million in annual tax revenues.

The nine other APA Great Streets for 2007 include: Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia; Delmar Loop, University City, Missouri; Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts; Monument Avenue, Richmond, Virginia; North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois; Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida; 125th Street, Harlem, New York City; South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah; and St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana; For more information about these streets, and the list of APA’s 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2007, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces.