Opposition to state’s plan to buy Plaza Maya surfaces
Damon Scott
Reporter-
Albuquerque Business First
Opposition has surfaced to the state’s plan to purchase Plaza Maya for a relocation of its Albuquerque probation and parole division.
Last month, a purchasing agreement was signed for the Corrections Department to buy Plaza Maya, a 62,287-square-foot structure at 615 First St. NW in Downtown Albuquerque.
From a commercial real estate perspective, some observers have seen the move as a potential boost for a Downtown office market that has experienced a high vacancy rate in recent years.
The merger and relocation would include Albuquerque’s two main probation and parole offices located in Nob Hill and near East Downtown. Corrections has said it wanted to combine the offices for some time following reports of deteriorating buildings and safety issues. They said combining the facilities would save taxpayers millions of dollars.
Andy Braman, executive director of the city-funded NMX Sports, which includes the Warehouse 508 venue, told Albuquerque Business First the move puts youth served by area programs at risk. NMX Sports and Warehouse 508 are located at 508 First Street NW. Braman said that in addition to his programs, others in the area serve young people, including Youth Development Inc., The Cell Theatre, FUSION Theatre Co. and a child care arm of the YMCA. He said the programs involve thousands of people under the age of 18 that come to the area at different times of day.
Braman said he has reached out to the General Services Division, Gov. Susana Martinez and the Department of Corrections to ask them to reconsider the Plaza Maya move.
“We don’t think that offenders that include sex offenders should be passing 250 feet from our front door,” Braman said. “They need to find a building that is nondescript and not close to youth programs to house these offices.”
Alex Tomlin, public affairs director for the Corrections Department, said the concerns came to her attention a few weeks ago through a media outlet.
“We had not had any formal complaints,” Tomlin said. “However, we reached out to them about their concerns and had a meeting where we told them that we want to be good neighbors, and be open, honest and transparent.”
Tomlin added that it was the department’s intention to be in the area near the Downtown courthouses because it is best for public safety and would make it easier to coordinate with judges and law enforcement.
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