Kiera Hay

A controversial measure prohibiting tables or booths on the Plaza grass was approved Monday by the city’s Public Works Committee, but with a bevy of conditions that took away some of the proposal’s sting.

Among other things, the committee agreed to postpone implementation until 2011 and to create a roundtable to study the issue.

“We have to look at this as a balancing act,” noted Councilor Chris Calvert, who, along with committee chair Patti Bushee, is sponsoring the proposal. The sentiment was echoed by other councilors.

Several local groups that use the grassy areas for events, including representatives of Spanish Market, Indian Market, Fiesta, Girls Inc....

The crowds of people hopping aboard the Rail Runner to Santa Fe also appear to be taking advantage of local connecting transit services.

Transfer ridership on Santa Fe Trails spiked to 1,921 passenger trips in January, an astronomical increase from the 282 seen just two months prior.

During the first 10 months of 2008, Santa Fe Trails averaged 381 transfers — bus riders who transferred to a city bus from another transit service, such as state Park and Ride buses — per month, according to the city’s transit division.

In December, when Rail Runner service reached Santa Fe in midmonth, transfers rose to 746. During January, it climbed to 1,921, and “the major...

At the Santa Fe Plaza, “stay off the grass” may soon apply to a lot more than skateboards and soccer balls.

A proposal to prohibit the use of tables or booths on the Plaza’s turf is up for consideration at City Hall, with supporters claiming the measure will help protect the famed gathering spot’s grass, soil and even trees, and create a more enjoyable space for the everyday user.

But a handful of nonprofits that use the Plaza for events are unhappy with the idea, and at least one local outfit believes it stands to lose thousands of dollars if the proposal becomes law. “We are already faced with difficulties due to the harsh economic climate. The change pr...

Anytime now. Maybe.

The latest word is “the end of January” for completion of a long-in-the-works environmental assessment needed for new commercial airline service at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport, according to city aviation officials.

That report — the last major hurdle to flight start-up — is waiting to be approved and released by the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Once the environmental assessment is signed, sealed and delivered, the airlines will make up their minds on whether to start service by 90 to 120 days,” airport manager Jim Montman said Thursday.

Service — nonstop flights from Santa Fe to Los Angel...

A public hearing and City Council vote on whether to implement an across-the-board water rate increase within the city of Santa Fe has been postponed until March.

It’s perhaps just putting off the inevitable, since most city officials and others generally agree that rate increases of some kind are needed to pay for various water infrastructure projects in the pipeline.

First among them is the $215 million Buckman Direct Diversion project, a joint citycounty effort, scheduled for completion in 2011, that will take Santa Fe’s share of San Juan-Chama water from the Rio Grande. Revenue bonds are needed to help pay for the city’s portion of construction costs, and the rat...