NEWS RELEASE 8/7/2026 10:00 a.m.: Railroad Avenue Dedication Celebrates Art, History and Revitalization of Historic District
- asalas843
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Community members gathered Saturday evening to celebrate art, history and renewed investment in Las Vegas’ Historic Railroad District. The event also served as a dedication of Railroad Avenue following recent improvements to the roadway, sidewalks, curb and gutter, streetlights and surrounding public spaces.
The celebration highlighted more than public art—it represented a renewed vision for the district focused on preserving history, supporting local businesses, enhancing the beauty of the area and increasing pedestrian activity.
Following an afternoon rain, residents and visitors gathered near the corner of Railroad Avenue and Lincoln Street for an evening featuring music, community remarks and artwork created by New Mexico Highlands University students projected onto nearby buildings. The celebration featured a special performance by Alma de Norte Mariachi, with vocals from 2026 Reina de Las Vegas Marisa Archuleta, adding to the evening’s celebration of local talent, culture and community pride.
David Rogers, who assists MainStreet de Las Vegas with grant management and serves on the Las Vegas Arts Council Steering Committee, opened the evening’s remarks. He explained that the event marked the completion of a grant-funded project involving NMHU students who developed branding concepts for the Arts and Cultural District, created videos highlighting local artists and makers, and produced promotional materials to showcase the community’s creative talent.
The students also designed banners for the district’s new solar-powered streetlights, recognizing Railroad Avenue’s transportation history with images of the Super Chief and the first train to travel through the district. The banners were unveiled during the event and shared with the community for the first time.
Mayor David Romero welcomed the crowd and recognized former Mayor Louie Trujillo, who currently serves as President of the MainStreet de Las Vegas Board, for his continued support of the community and efforts to expand Art in Public Places. “Railroad Avenue is an important part of the history and identity of Las Vegas, and these improvements represent a renewed vision for the district,” Romero said. “By investing in our infrastructure, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for public art, we are bringing new energy and foot traffic to this historic area.”
City Councilman Benito Pacheco, who also serves as an administrator at New Mexico Highlands University, emphasized the importance of the event in bringing people together. “This is a great event, not just for Highlands and not just for Las Vegas, but for everyone who is here,” Pacheco stated. “As you look around, many of us see neighbors and friends we have known for years, but there are also new faces meeting each other for the first time. That is what we need as a community to thrive.”
The project began through a successful grant application supported by the City of Las Vegas. Trujillo expressed appreciation to Mayor Romero, the City Council, community partners and organizations that helped bring the project to life, recognizing the City of Las Vegas as MainStreet de Las Vegas’ largest funder and thanking the Las Vegas Community Foundation and other partners for their support. The continued partnership between the City of Las Vegas, MainStreet de Las Vegas and New Mexico Highlands University demonstrates the impact of collaboration by supporting local talent, strengthening public spaces and creating opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.
“This is a great event celebrating the revitalization of the Railroad District,” said Councilor Marvin Martinez. “The investment we are making in our community shows what is possible for our town. We appreciate the continued support and encourage everyone to keep coming into the community and being part of the progress happening here. We will continue working to support our community.”
The arrival of the railroad played a significant role in the growth and development of Las Vegas, establishing Railroad Avenue as a center of commerce and shaping the community’s identity. The district’s historic buildings continue to reflect the vision of the merchants who arrived by train and helped build the community.
“Las Vegas would not be here if it wasn’t for Railroad Avenue,” Trujillo stated. “The railroad came in and brought merchants, businesses, and the beautiful buildings that still stand today—many of which were built by the merchants who arrived by train.”
Trujillo also shared his excitement about bringing projected public art to Las Vegas, noting that similar displays have gained popularity in cities such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Throughout the evening, nearby buildings became large-scale canvases featuring artwork, photography, creative designs and drone footage showcasing Las Vegas’ architecture, landscape and history.
The Railroad Avenue dedication brought together the community’s past, present and future—honoring the historic role of the railroad while celebrating new investment, creativity and collaboration. Through infrastructure improvements, public art, community partnerships and support for local businesses, Railroad Avenue continues to evolve as a place where history is preserved, connections are strengthened and new opportunities are created for residents and visitors.