This article originally appeared in the Hobbs News-Sun.
By Lorena Chavarria, Executive Director, Downtown Improvement Association of Hobbs
We can all agree that there are many advantages to having a thriving downtown community in a city. Our downtown area has the potential to serve as a community gathering place, a spot to meet for coffee or lunch to discuss business ideas and a space that acts as the heart and hub for our community.
Fortunately for Hobbs, our local leaders have decided to go all in to support the vision of a thriving downtown area by establishing a new organization that will advocate for and coordinate downtown revitalization efforts. The Downtown Improvement Association of Hobbs, also known as DIA Hobbs, aims to launch a coordinated plan to take action and improve downtown Hobbs. As the organization’s executive director, I am thrilled to partner with local stakeholders to ensure we work together to do all we can to make our vision for a vibrant and successful downtown a reality.
One of our first action items is finding ways to ensure downtown continues to offer meaningful and entertaining family events for our community. DIA Hobbs is committed to not only supporting existing events such as Hobbs August Nites, Fiestas de Septiembre, and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony as well as adding new events to the calendar to make downtown a destination all year long. Ideas we are currently exploring are hosting a downtown Halloween event and a Dia de los Muertos celebration complete with a community ofrenda to honor loved ones.
We know having a visually appealing backdrop for life downtown is also important and to improve the aesthetic of the area, DIA Hobbs is looking to partner with local artists to create murals that will bring color and life to the area. By placing murals, mosaics, and other installations, we can provide pops of art that will greet visitors as they explore downtown Hobbs. Downtown businesses are encouraged to think of DIA Hobbs as a collaborative partner to brainstorm plans and find unique ways to improve their curb appeal. We look to work with building owners by offering ways to collaborate and improve exterior facades while honoring this historical integrity of our downtown buildings.
Restaurants, coffee shops, and retail boutiques also breathe life and activity into downtown districts. Because of this, DIA Hobbs is dedicated to pouring our efforts into recruiting businesses to operate in Downtown Hobbs. By also recruiting businesses to office out of the downtown area, we can help to create a built-in customer base for downtown businesses.
Of course, the most important of these downtown initiatives is ensuring the area is safe for our families. With studies indicating that well-lit areas can reduce crime by up to 20%, plans are in the works to increase lighting on streets and in parking areas. Improving and increasing outdoor lighting allows businesses to remain open later and allows visiting patrons to feel safe navigating our downtown area. Moving forward, we are developing ways to add signage and architectural features to help guide downtown visitors and will continue working in coordination with the City of Hobbs to make improvements to Shipp Street Plaza.
At the end of the day, Downtown Hobbs belongs to our entire community. I look forward to gathering and celebrating the unique culture and sense of belonging that only Hobbs can provide. Let’s work together to create a space that our friends, family, and neighbors will enjoy for generations to come.
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Lorena Chavarria is the Executive Director of the Downtown Improvement Association of Hobbs, an initiative supported by the JF Maddox Foundation.
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