Highway 160 through Blanca is also Main Street. Many of the large trees along the street were planted in the early days of the Town about 1910. The street is currently getting a face lift.. The Blanca Beautification Committee, a standing committee of the Town made up of citizen volunteers, has received two grants for new sidewalks and decorative lighting along the two main blocks of the downtown and two blocks north on Broadway.Plans include flowering trees, benches and flower boxes. The grants were approved in 2004. Construction began on May 22, 2008.
The Beautification Committee sponsored the first Blanca Harvest Festival on October 23, 2004. The Festival featured vendors, food, entertainment and contests. The proceeds from the vendors fees went into a special fund to be used as matching funds for grants. Festivals were also held in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Planning for the 2008 festival is ongoing. The committee is also researching other fund raising activities to complete the project.
The first step in the construction is the demolition of the old sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Costilla County Road and Bridge Crew lead by Larry Gomez is donating their time as "in kind" work on the project to demolish the sidewalks and haul away the rubble.
A bobcat equipped with a jack hammer breaks up the old sidewalk.
There go the old sidewalks!
Now we know the project has really started!
© Jean Butler 2004-2008