Edgewood, New Mexico

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Edgewood, New Mexico
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Edgewood, New Mexico


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Mexico
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Santa Fe
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 22.6
area_land_km2 = 22.6
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 8.7
area_land_sq_mi = 8.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1893
population_density_km2 = 83.9
population_density_sq_mi = 217.2

timezone = Mountain (MST)
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = -6
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
latd = 35 |latm = 4 |lats = 4 |latNS = N
longd = 106 |longm = 11 |longs = 29 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 87015
area_code = 505
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 35-22380
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
footnotes =

Edgewood is a town in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Albuquerque, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,893 at the 2000 census.

History and Development

Edgewood was founded by a group of southern Santa Fe county residents and landowners. After the incorporation of the town of the town in 1999, large areas of land were annexed. Efforts by the Town government to avoid annexing properties whose owners did not wish to be brought within the Town Boundaries resulted in a checkerboard pattern of incorporated and unincorporated properties, one of the issues to be resolved in the Town's Comprehensive Plan. [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/mountain/579654mtnview07-19-07.htm] One controversial annexation greatly enlarged the municipal boundaries and was the source of vigorous public debate. Despite two appeals and one lawsuit, the annexation was upheld. [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/565257mtvnews01-10-02.htm] [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/605527mtvnews02-21-02.htm] [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/651325mtvnews04-11-02.htm] [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/657409mtvnews04-18-02.htm]

Plans to bring a Wal-Mart to the community were opposed by some residents, and opposition included two lawsuits by Edgewood residents (one lawsuit alleged violations of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act). Both suits were dismissed. [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/440431mtnview03-09-06.htm] In 2007, the Wal-Mart was awarded a liquor licence prior to its opening in March 2008. The Wal-Mart, located approximately 0.4 miles from the Interstate 40 interchange, opened in 2008. [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/mountain/588619mtnview08-23-07.htm] ["Wal-Mart On Its Way to Edgewood" Stacey Boyne, "Mountain View Telegraph" December 15, 2005. [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/mountain/416922mtnview12-15-05.htm] ]

Issues associated with development have, as with many growing communities, sparked spirited public debate. Some residents feel that the "rural character" or "small town atmosphere" have been compromised by growth as residents and enterprises spread outward from nearby Albuquerque, 20 miles away. Others feel that Albuquerque's proximity - 20 miles away along a busy interstate highway - makes growth inevitable.

Culture

Edgewood, New Mexico has a variety of cultural and entertainment events, such as festivals. Wildlife West Nature Park, a nature park and enhanced zoo which includes one of the State's best mid-size outdoor entertainment venues, hosts the Annual Wind Festival and Green Energy Fair; a major summer music festival; a mid-summer Bear Fair; a community melodrama; a series of Chuckwagon Dinners; and the Fall Harvest Festival. The Town, in cooperation with the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce, Wildlife West, and Rich Ford, sponsors the annual Run, Rally and Rock festival celebrating the anniversary of the Town's incorporation in 1999. This festival, held mainly at Wildlife West Nature Park, includes antique car and tractor shows, a business expo, and several entertainment events. Run, Rally and Rock is held at the same time as the August Music Festival at Wildlife West Nature Park (next festival is scheduled for August 1-3, 2008). The Edgewood Farmer's Market is held Mondays from 3-7 p.m. adjacent to NAPA Auto Parts, located on Route 66 west of NM 344.

Other assets within the town include public library, senior center, community center, a skate park, basketball court, a small park, tennis courts, and a growing system of trails for walking, cycling, and horseback riding. The Single Action Shooting Society's Founder's Ranch - at which several large events focusing on cowboy culture, shooting, and Old West Life are held each year - is located just south of Edgewood. The town is served by two newspapers: The Mountain View Telegraph [http://www.mvtelegraph.com] and the Independent.

Government

The Town of Edgewood is governed by a Mayor and Town Council. Elected officials (as of May 2008) include:

* Mayor - Bob Stearley
* Town Council - John Abrams, Rita Loy Simmons, Glenn Felton, Brad Hill [http://www.edgewood-nm.gov/council.htm]

The Town hired its first Chief of Police, Paul Welch, in December 2007.

Geography

Edgewood, New Mexico is located at coor dms|35|4|4|N|106|11|29|W|city (35.067690, -106.191463)GR|1, just 20 miles east of Albuquerque along Interstate Highway 40.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.7 square miles (22.6 km²), all of it land. It is located within the Estancia Valley, east of the Sandia Mountains and Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Most of the land cover in the area is woodland or grassland. The town's commercial district lies along New Mexico Highway 66 (part of the original, pre-1937 Historic Route 66) and Highway 344. The town is within minutes of the Sandia Wilderness, in which are located the Sandia Peak Ski Area and the upper end of the Sandia Peak Tramway.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure includes an interchange at the intersection of Highway 344 and Interstate Highway 40, 20 miles east of Albuquerque, the state's largest city. Expansion of the Town's infrastructure includes widening NM 344 from two to four lanes and similar changes to NM 66 (formerly NM 333), scheduled for completion in 2008. The Town has begun construction of a sewer system serving the commercial district.

One airport, Sandia Airpark (FAA Identifier 1N1) is located in Edgewood, and is open to the public with fuel and services. A municipal airport is located in nearby Moriarty(0E0). Broadband internet service in the general area includes cable, DSL, and wireless services. The town is served by one supermarket, a medical center, two national pharmacies, and a wide variety of restaurants, retail establishments, service stations, and rental services. Construction of a Wal-Mart superstore was completed in early 2008.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,893 people, 676 households, and 529 families residing in the town. The population density was 217.2 people per square mile (83.9/km²). There were 755 housing units at an average density of 86.6/sq mi (33.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.53% White, 0.32% African American, 2.17% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 8.24% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.34% of the population.

There were 676 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the town the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,500, and the median income for a family was $45,952. Males had a median income of $33,365 versus $24,135 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,146. About 8.4% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Community Organizations

Community organizations in Edgewood pursue a range of activities:

* The Chamber of Commerce, which now maintains offices on NM 66 west of the intersection with NM 344, works in cooperation with the Town and other local organizations in support of Town cleanups, election forums, and other public service efforts.

* High Desert Riders and other local organizations are cooperating with the Edgewood Parks and Recreation Department (Roger Holden, Director) and officials of Santa Fe and Bernalillo Counties to integrate Edgewood's equestrian trails with the regional trail system.

* Edgewood Clean and Beautiful and the N.M. State Police work together sponsor a yearly Kid's Safety Fair and Carnival as well as 2 additional free child car seat safety clinics throughout the year.

* The Estancia Valley Economic Development Association provides support to the Town in attracting new businesses and assisting with business retention and expansion.

* The New Mexico Wildlife Association operates Wildlife West Nature Park [http://www.wildlifewest.org] , a 122-acre enhanced zoo, educational facility, and entertainment venue.

References

External links

* [http://www.edgewood-nm.gov Town website]
* [http://www.edgewoodnmchamber.com Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.evedanm.com Estancia Valley Economic Development Association]
* [http://www.wildlifewest.org Wildlife West Nature Park]
* [http://www.eswcd.org Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District]
* [http://www.mvtelegraph.com/mountain/514949mtnview11-23-06.htm Game of chance decides Mayoral contest]