We of the Don Canuto Neighborhood Association, comprised of more than 200 members, believe that the design, usage and density of the proposed development are wholly unsuitable to the character of our 165-year-old neighborhood, which abuts 1010 Marquez Place. The empty field there has perpetually been used by local residents as a footpath between homes and the business district surrounding Don Diego Avenue. No structures have ever been built on the field. Our goal is to prevent any development of this land so that it can be maintained as a greenbelt. Should Mr. Wiviott withdraw his purchase offer for the property, the owner of the land has agreed to consider our association's offer to purchase. We are committed to seeking and securing funding to designate the field for park use by our community. It has been suggested that, in lieu of open space, the Lofts would be the best alternative for 1010 Marquez Place. Although our association believes the Lofts development is a good concept, works well at its present Cerrillos Road location and could work in another location, a similar project in our neighborhood would be detrimental. This development would not be a site-appropriate buffer between nearby residential and commercial zones. The proposed development lot is zoned commercial, and the Lofts project would contain approximately 20 businesses at minimum with a potential total-use maximum of 38 businesses or more. There will be no future stability on the distribution of residential and commercial space. Every Loft can be rented or sold at any time by individual owners, creating a perpetually fluctuating and uncertain usage for the entire development. What is certain is that at all times this project would bring unwanted traffic and parking into an already densely compact, overburdened urban area.

For example, Don Diego Avenue was once a residential street and has, due to commercial development, become a busy connector thoroughfare adversely affecting many of the intersections in the area. The small neighborhood north of Marquez Place (including Don Canuto Street, Calle Grillo, Calle Lucero, Calle Torreador, Pueblo Drive and Buena Vista Street) could suffer the same fate, as well as other residential streets connecting to Don Diego Avenue. Many children live and play on these small residential streets. Cars entering and exiting the development could funnel through these residential streets to avoid the already high traffic streets south of the proposed development site.

By even the most conservative estimates, on a daily basis during the business week more than 15,000 vehicles circulate throughout the area bordered by Cerrillos Road, St. Francis Drive, Cordova Road and Don Diego Avenue. There are more than 125 businesses in this area. These cars specifically come to the area and park to visit area businesses. This does not take into account traffic passing through the area on its way to other destinations.

To help buffer the business density, we intend to preserve this lot--the last parcel of a large land conveyance in 1835 that established our neighborhood--as a tranquil, contemplative open space for everyone's enjoyment. Direct descendants of the 1835 land purchaser still live adjacent to the proposed development site. Of foremost concern is the proposed development site's link to our most treasured local landmark--the venerable Guadalupe Cemetery on Early Street. Historical research indicates that this cemetery, now comprising approximately two acres, once accommodated thousands of burials and included the land at 1010 Marquez Place. Human remains have been found by neighboring businesses during construction projects. Mr. Wiviott hired an archeologist, David Snow of Cross-Cultural Research Systems, who completed an archeological survey of the proposed development site at the neighborsț request. Although Mr. Snow reported finding no human remains interred in the proposed development lot, he excavated only three percent of the entire 2.6-acre lot, digging trenches every 10 feet or more across the property. Mr. Wiviott publicly has stated that if the proposed development site is a cemetery, he would not want to build on it. However, there is still no certainty about whether or not human remains are interred in the field.

Our neighborhood is also close to a city-designated historic district, and we are pursuing re-designation of our neighborhood, including the Guadalupe Cemetery, for the same status.

The Guadalupe Cemetery was consecrated in 1886, and several homes in the Don Canuto Street area were built in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Preservation is essential because most of the other original streets in the neighborhood north and west of the proposed development site were demolished decades ago during urban renewal projects. Construction of St. Francis Drive and the commercial expansion of Cerrillos Road played a large part in establishing the surrounding commercial zoning that our neighborhood continues to endure.

An architectural consultant has donated time and designed a plan for a community greenbelt at 1010 Marquez Place. A memorial park would include fruit trees, native landscaping, a community garden, an upgraded walking path and a commemorative fountain honoring the lost graves. Other suggestions are welcome and your participation is highly encouraged.

Please contact us at doncanuto@yahoo.com with your comments. You may also write us at 520 Don Canuto Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. We welcome letters of support.

THE DON CANUTO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
26 May 2000