by: Quaylene and my new AI friend.
Every small town has a story, and Portales is no exception. Ours is a story of resilience, community, and a deep sense of belonging. But recently, during a community meeting, one comment struck a nerve. A local resident shared that visitors from out of town told her, “We don’t want to hurt your feelings, but Portales is ugly.”
Those words hurt my feelings—and honestly, it stings for many of us. Not because we believe it, but because we know how much heart, history, and potential this town holds. Comments like that don’t define us, but they do challenge us. They push us to ask: What can we do to make Portales shine the way we know it can?
A Town Worth Fighting For
Portales has always been a place where neighbors wave from their porches or cars, where local businesses know your name, and where community matters. But like many small towns, time, weather, and limited resources have taken a toll on our downtown and our neighborhoods.
The good news is that appearance is something we can change—and we can change it together.
Downtown Renovation: Investing in Our Heart
Downtown is the front porch of any community. It’s the first thing visitors see and the place locals gather. Revitalizing it can transform the way people feel about Portales—and the way we feel about ourselves. We have started the process with the work that RCEC did on the corner where City Hall used to be, the work the County did with landscaping around the Courthouse, with a new mural coming soon on the back side of the Chamber/RCCDC/Enterprise Center offices, the corner that JP Stone Bank landscaped, the Saturday that JP Stone organized the downtown trash clean up “Roundup for Rondo” the new Christmas Decoration Committee however, we have so much more to do.
Ideas worth exploring include:
- Restoring historic storefronts
- Adding murals or public art
- Improving lighting and walkability
- Creating more green spaces and seating
- Supporting local businesses with façade improvement grants
- Hosting regular events to bring people downtown
A vibrant downtown signals a vibrant community.
Small‑Town Pride: The Spirit That Holds Us Together
Portales is not defined by peeling paint or empty lots. It’s defined by the people who show up—at meetings, at clean‑ups, at school events, at local shops.
When someone says our town is “ugly,” it hurts because we care. But caring is exactly what gives us the power to change the narrative.
Pride isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice. It’s choosing to invest time, energy, and creativity into the place we call home.
What Can We Do?
We can turn that hurt into motivation. We can take ownership of our streets, our parks, our downtown, and our future. We can show visitors—and ourselves—that Portales is full of beauty, character, and possibility. Together we can turn this ship around, we just need more people rowing.
The question isn’t “Is Portales ugly?” The real question is: What kind of Portales do we want to build?
And the answer is already clear: A cleaner, brighter, more welcoming Portales—built by the people who love it most.
