Albuquerque Development Thread

[ABQalex]

KRQE is reporting that the New Mexico United may have plans to build its new soccer stadium near Balloon Fiesta Park in the North I-25 area. It says that an official announcement may come next month. They quote team owner Peter Trevisani as pretty much confirming that it will be built near Balloon Fiesta Park. They say that the city will have a media availability today to answer questions about the project.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...dium-location/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The owner of New Mexico United surprised fans with a big announcement. Back in November of 2021, voters rejected a $50 million bond for a city-owned stadium near the rail yards. Since then, the team’s been working on a privately funded stadium – a development that could include condos, shops, and restaurants.

Peter Trevisani, the owner of New Mexico United shared, “I just want to say this we, you know, we got told no on the city bond, and, you know, we didn’t just decide to quit. We said okay, we’re going to keep going.” The crowd wanted an answer to one question – where would the long-awaited soccer stadium go? Trevisani dropped a big hint to fans. “I can’t tell you exactly where it is, but maybe it’s close to something that rhymes with Lagoon Siesta Park,” he said.

If you take a look at the undeveloped land around Balloon Fiesta Park, it’s either owned by the City of Albuquerque, the county, or Sandia Pueblo, which happens to own a lot of land within city limits.

It is unclear at this point if any other locations are being considered for the United stadium. David Wiese-Carl, who is the Director of Communications & Fan Experience at New Mexico United, said, “We’re hoping to have a location on the stadium here pretty soon.”

Over the weekend, New Mexico United unveiled a new jersey for the 2023 season at the fifth annual Black and Yellow Bash. Fans are anticipating the team’s first home match in April. “I love a good season, looking forward to it, yeah we’re going to have a good season,” said Robert Vigil.

United says there could be an announcement in a month about the soccer stadium’s location. KRQE News 13 reached out to the city and was told there will be a media availability tomorrow to answer questions about the stadium. The Sandia Pueblo did not comment when asked if they are selling land in Albuquerque to the United.

Here's the Albuquerque Journal's coverage of a possible stadium for the United at Balloon Fiesta Park. They have even more comments from city officials and official confirmation that there will be a news conference today to discuss the possibility. It's looking like this is indeed going to be the plan and location for the new stadium.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2586420/a...r-stadium.html

It’s been more than a year since Albuquerque voters balked at public funding for a new stadium, but local leaders are still trying to help New Mexico United find a new place to play.

The options now under consideration include Balloon Fiesta Park.

Mayor Tim Keller’s spokeswoman said the city has had ongoing discussions with United “about multiple (stadium) sites that won’t require additional city funds.” That includes city-owned Balloon Fiesta Park in Northeast Albuquerque, where spokeswoman Ava Montoya said there is room to build around/outside of the area that balloons presently use to launch and land.

New Mexico United, an Albuquerque-based professional soccer team, currently shares the city-owned Isotopes Park with the namesake baseball team, but it has pushed for years for a new venue.

A United spokesman said Wednesday the team’s stadium plans remain “a work in progress,” with many details — notably location — still unsettled.

However, David Wiese-Carl, United’s communications director, said the team intends to build the stadium with private funds.

“We heard folks loud and clear, and it’s going to be a privately led stadium,” he said.

If a city site is used, it’s unclear if the land would be donated or leased to the team or if the city would have any ownership stake in the building.

“These details have not been determined yet,” Montoya said in an emailed response to Journal questions.

Wiese-Carl said United’s leadership has considered sites around the metro area, but the vision no longer includes Downtown given the opposition such a location encountered previously.

A city-contracted consultant had in 2021 identified two Downtown-area sites as “preferred” locations when the city pondered building a stadium and then leasing it to United. The consultant estimated that would cost $65 million to $70 million based on those locations and a 2022 construction start.

That plan never came to fruition.

City leaders put a $50 million stadium bond out to voters in 2021, but it was roundly rejected. The bond failed by a 30-point margin.

Though the gross receipts tax-backed bond did not require voter approval, Keller said in 2021 his administration would not pursue the project if the bond failed.

However, the city has millions in funding available for a stadium thanks to state appropriations.

The state has contributed $8.5 million so far, though the city has used about $621,000 to date on the 2021 consultant and planning services for the team’s practice field.

There is another $5 million for the project included in a 2023 state capital outlay bill currently awaiting Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s signature.

“We’re interested in using our state funds for their intended purpose and utilizing city land,” Montoya said in a statement.

City officials have announced a Thursday afternoon news conference at Balloon Fiesta Park to provide “updates about a potential site for (a) new multi-use sports complex.”

[ABQalex]

I just finished watching the news conference about the possible soccer stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park. It was livestreamed by KOAT.

https://www.koat.com/article/albuque...mplex/43471290

Nothing concrete was unveiled and no firm plan for a stadium at the park was presented. The idea to look at the park as a possible location is all that this was about. It didn't even look like representatives from the United were at the event, certainly none spoke or answered questions.

A reporter even asked why a news conference was even taking place if nothing firm was even being presented. The mayor said it was mainly to get ahead of the KRQE story and Peter Trevisani's comments this past weekend.

It's clear there is no coordination going on anywhere with this project. And the mayor's noncommittal tone and unwillingness to take a firm stand either way is really infuriating.

The only interesting thing that was revealed is that any stadium would go east of the concessions area of the park. They went to great lengths to point out existing power lines are located there as well, in order to emphasize that a stadium wouldn't interfere with or hinder the Balloon Fiesta itself.



Again, I'm so tired of this mayor's fear of doing anything bold because of the possibility for any criticism and wanting to appear a certain way. I see the comments on his social media and on the news sites, etc. He has plenty of critics and much that he's criticized over already, regardless.

We need bold leadership and big ideas, not chicken little, timid bullsh*t.

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque Business First has a story about a $40 million advanced manufacturing facility that will be built by a company on its existing site in Albuquerque. The project will add 90,000 sq ft to the facility and create 55 new jobs once it is fully operational.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...-facility.html

A global technology firm plans to stand up a multimillion-dollar advanced manufacturing facility in Albuquerque.

ABB Group, a company with products and services focused around electrification and robotics, wants to invest $40 million through a new 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in west Albuquerque. That facility will be used to increase ABB's production of cable products and will include robotics and digital automation technology, according to a Thursday news release from the company.

It'll be built on ABB's existing 40-acre Albuquerque campus on Bluewater Road NW, just off Coors Boulevard. Operations surrounding the facility could create 55 jobs in New Mexico. Planning and construction is underway with completion set for 2024, according to the release.

The manufacturing facility will be part of the company's installation products division, which is one of 20 different divisions run by the firm. Ralph Donati, the executive vice president and general manger of the U.S. and Latin American regions for that division, told Albuquerque Business First the new facility will be an extension of ABB's existing work in New Mexico. The firm has had a footprint in the state since 1973.

"Ultimately, this facility by itself is going to double the output of what we currently have from the other facility," Donati said. "It made perfect sense given we've already got a great heritage [in New Mexico], a great team there and we've been doing manufacturing of this product there for almost 50 years."

About 80% of the product manufactured in Albuquerque is sold in the U.S., Donati said. He added that the electric cable product could play a "key role" in efforts to electrify the country's electric grid.

"I am thrilled that ABB is expanding its manufacturing presence in Albuquerque and creating more new Mexico jobs," New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a prepared statement. "This is a company making strides in energy infrastructure and climate solutions, and the state looks forward to working with ABB to identify economic development tools to support this exciting expansion."

Hiring for the new manufacturing facility will take place over time as construction of the facility scales. The new hires will be full-time positions for production, engineering and quality specialist roles, which is what the company typically staffs in Albuquerque, Hannah Anthony, public relations and media relations manager for ABB's installation products division, told Business First.

[ABQalex]

Here's KOB-TV's story about today's news conference. It includes a statement from United owner Peter Trevisani at the end, and also an embed of reporter Griffin Rushton's Twitter posts about the news conference and possible stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park. Already people there are complaining about the possible site and that it would get rid of prime parking for the Balloon Fiesta, parking that is in short supply during the event.

I swear, doing anything in this town is always a mess.

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/cabq-...n-fiesta-park/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque city leaders provided an update Thursday on a potential multi-use sports complex at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Officials confirmed they are looking at potentially building a new stadium at the park largely to be used by New Mexico United. However, they were clear that nothing is moving forward just yet.

The idea is still in the preliminary stages, but officials said a 7-8 acre stadium complex could be constructed in the eastern parking lot next to a major power line that already blocks balloon traffic.

The city’s chief administrative officer said they are optimistic about the location because it meets several zoning, infrastructure and transportation criteria – but he admits water, sewer and other utility upgrades would be needed.

In 2021, voters overwhelmingly shot down the idea of taxpayers backing a United stadium near downtown. Officials said Thursday they are not planning to sell or gift any land currently owned by the city. They would lease it instead.

According to city leaders, it’s too early to speculate how big the stadium would be or how much it would cost. They did confirm the project would rely on private and state funding though – no city tax dollars would be used.

New Mexico United provided the following statement following the news conference:

“Seeing the City of Albuquerque’s and the State of New Mexico’s commitment to improving Balloon Fiesta’s Park is inspiring,” said United Owner/CEO Peter Trevisani. “Balloon Fiesta Park is one of the gems of our state, bringing in visitors from around the world to see New Mexico’s beauty. We’re excited to see it continue to grow and improve for year-round use by New Mexicans. We’re enthusiastic about what is coming next for New Mexico, and we look forward to being part of that growth. While this is an exciting first step, there is still a tremendous amount of work to do.”

https://mobile.twitter.com/GriffinRu...55986950541313



It’s a bit embarrassing that Peter Trevisani waxes poetic about the city's "commitment" and yet the mayor was absolutely noncommittal and threw him under the bus when called on to explain the need for a news conference. The mayor basically said that Peter Trevisani has loose lips and the city wanted to clarify that nothing is planned at this point.

[ABQalex]

The downtown.abq Instagram page made an April Fools' Day post saying that a downtown stadium for the United was in the works at Lomas and Broadway. It was a prank, of course. But it kicked off some discussion and controversy and rehashed all the tired arguments against a downtown stadium, mostly the idea of displacement and gentrification. Some people actually are concerned that the Burger King on Lomas would be displaced as well.

Peter Trevisani and the official United Instagram account both chimed in. Peter Trevisani said that they're working against a time constraint and another try at a downtown location is off the table. I find that interesting since the Balloon Fiesta Park location supposedly isn't anything more than just an idea right now too. How is looking again at a downtown location any less possible if it's just an idea at this point as well?

Or is the mayor feeding us BS and the Balloon Fiesta Park location is a lot more firm, like Peter Trevisani seems to think and indicate that it is? 🤔

As the downtown.abq Instagram page said, it's not too late to undo this massive mistake of not locating the stadium in the center of the city. Anything is possible if our leaders set their mind on building it downtown and get over not trying to upset the backwards thinkers that continue to hold us back.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqfklVdOk8_/

Downtown back on top of the list! @newmexicoutd has announced a re-commitment to a Downtown stadium location identifying the vacant parcel at the NW corner of Lomas and Broadway. Despite taking a hit at the voting booth, United leadership recognizes that the pushback was from the public funding component rather than the neighborhood itself. After careful consideration, United understands their original vision of building a centralized stadium for all New Mexicans has proven too important to discard. This potential site's big advantage is the location in the heart of the city, accessible to all socioeconomic classes. Other pros include connectivity to the new Rail Trail which will provide walk-bike-ride access to Alvarado Transportation Center, existing parking garages, the future Glorieta Station, Historic Route 66 (via a newly announced “at grade” pedestrian connection) and the Rail Yards Market and future film academy. “It's such a no-brainer, but for a minute there we took our eye off the ball. New Mexico United will continue to be a force of positivity and progress for the state of New Mexico and every New Mexican.”, said a United spokesperson.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqgJUVMLtFu/

April Fools'! This was fun, and made for some lively discussion about the importance of this site selection. What kind of city does Albuquerque want to be? A forward-thinking, sustainable place with a walkable, vibrant Downtown is not beyond our grasp. We have to grow the right way not the easy way. Unfortunately, for the moment, @newmexicoutd HAS taken their eye off the ball as they scan for other remote locations such as Mesa Del Sol or even Balloon Fiesta Park. But it is not too late! Let's let United know that we want to keep them here in the heart of the city. Please share and repost so that our voices are heard. This is a decision that will last a lifetime. This is our only chance to get it right.

We are indeed on the brink of making yet another huge mistake in locating a project like this outside of the center of our city. I wish we had someone in charge who saw what a mistake this is and that was willing to take charge and find a way to get this built downtown.

[ABQalex]

Just about a week after the Journal reported about the planned revamp and food hall coming to Park Square in Uptown Albuquerque now they are reporting that a food hall and two small office buildings are planned at Winrock Town Center across the street. The food hall at Winrock will also have room for 20 tenants and will be located on the ground-floor of one of the office buildings. It will face the park that's currently under construction at Winrock. The other office building is the Portland Building, which was first announced years ago and is supposed to begin construction in May.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2587189/u...dertaking.html

Dirt is being turned over at Winrock Town Center. Behind Dillard’s, cranes roll up and down hills, developing Winrock’s new 2.5 acre park, which is expected to open in the coming months.

But a new park isn’t all that’s in the works for the town center at 2100 Louisiana NE. Long known as a retail hub, the amount of office space in the center is minimal. But over the next 2 1/2 years, the amount of office space is expected to skyrocket to almost 100,000 square feet as Winrock developer Goodman Realty embarks on two new office developments — one of which will include a new food hall.

“It really feels like we’re at a tipping point,” said Darin Sand, senior vice president of Goodman Realty Group, the developer behind Winrock.

First on the agenda is the Portland building, a three-story, mixed-use office building. The company requested construction bids on March 21, and the overall cost is yet to be determined. Goodman Realty hopes to start construction in May and finish the project by spring 2024.

The Albuquerque metro area has long suffered a shortage of office spaces, particularly Class A office spaces – which are located in prime areas and offer the most amenities to tenants.

“I don’t know when the last time a new office building was built here,” Sand said.

At the end of 2022, office vacancy in the city hit a record low of 10.7%, according to a Jan. 25 report by real estate company CBRE, rounding out seven years of declining vacancies. According to the report, there has been no new office construction since 2018.

The 30,000-square-foot building includes a strip of retail on the bottom that could house up to six tenants. The remaining 20,000 square feet will be earmarked as office space and would be able to house between three and four companies.

The building will neighbor the former Montgomery Ward building, which now houses New Mexico Orthopaedics and will be filled with additional retailers.

The Portland building will look a bit different from the other buildings around Winrock. In fact, it will look different from New Mexican architecture in general. The design is based off of Pacific Northwest design architecture with wood elements — hence, the name Portland. Sand said the design was inspired by Goodman Realty CEO Gary Goodman’s love of Oregon.

“That’s really where it comes from, Gary’s love for the Northwest,” Sand said. “We don’t have anything like that here that I know of, architecture-wise.”

About a year after the Portland building is completed, Sand said, Goodman Realty expects to open a second, larger office space which will include a food hall on the bottom floor.

“This is just the start of the office at Winrock,” Sand said.

The second building, which has yet to be named, will include three stories of office space, totaling about 64,000 square feet. The food hall will host about 20 restaurants, and include a mezzanine and outdoor beer patio, facing the planned amphitheater in the park.

The Portland building and the second office building will straddle the parking garage, bridged together by the patio.

“Picture: While you’re typing, looking out big windows, then coming downstairs for a meeting or two at the food hall, or meeting people in the park,” Sand said.

The food hall will be kitty-corner to Park Square Market, the Uptown new food hall announced last week by Sawmill Market developer Heritage Hotels & Resorts. The two new projects would join a growing portfolio of food halls in the Albuquerque metro area, including Green Jeans Farmery, Tin Can Alley and Central 505 Food Hall.

Winrock Town Center opened in 1961. By the early 2000s, the shopping center was nearly vacant, with the notable exception of anchor tenant Dillard’s, which has remained open since the Winrock location opened in 1992. Goodman Realty bought the property in 2007 from the longtime owner PruWinrock LLC.

Sand says Goodman hopes the new focus on office space, as well as other amenities, will draw in large out-of-state corporations.

“With the central location, tremendous access right off of I-40 … and all the amenities here, if they’re seeking a place where their employees would really desire to come to work and attract them,” Sand said, “I don’t know where else you would want to go.”

Color me skeptical at this point with anything new that Goodman announces for Winrock Town Center. They've just proven themselves to miss timeframe after timeframe when it comes to actually getting anything underway or built at the site.

In fact, they are currently being sued by Dillard’s for the amount of time they have taken to get anything done. Dillard’s says that the constant construction and disruption for over a decade has cost them business and driven away customers. Below is a story from KRQE back in December about the lawsuit.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...-lost-profits/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A cornerstone retailer at Winrock Town Center is suing the owners. The suit alleged prolonged construction is causing them to lose money.

The construction around the town center was slated to end in October, but when the Winrock developers extended the timeline by five months, Dillard’s had enough and filed a lawsuit against them. The legal filing included topics such as lost profits, breach of contract, and negligent misrepresentation.

Construction at what is now the Winrock Town Center is nothing new. In 2007, the current developers bought Winrock Center and gradually redeveloped it into what it is today: an open-air, mixed-use town center. This is where the lawsuit begins listing its complaints—saying the developers did not get Dillard’s consent to demolish the old mall, breaching parts of their 1992 lease which promised an attractive and accessible shopping area.

The lawsuit said the construction caused them to lose money by getting in customers’ way. Additionally, the lawsuit alleged the developers were supposed to get written consent from Dillard’s to modify the parking lot, which they did not.

Fast forward to 2016: Dillard’s said the developers did it again—demolishing another portion of the town center without their consent. The lawsuit explained the idea was that Dillard’s stores were to be stand-alone spaces surrounded by other stores. They issued a cease and desist, and the developers stopped.

At least, until three years later, when demolitions started back up in late 2019. As a result, Dillard’s alleged several of their entrances were closed or left unfinished. In the lawsuit, Dillard’s again claimed lost profits.

[ABQalex]

Here's some nice pictures that architect/developer Mark Baker posted on his Instagram account today. They show the view from the 15th floor of 500 Marquette over the south and west ends of Downtown Albuquerque toward his Villa Agave project. They were taken during AREA's recent event talking about Downtown revitalization. It shows all the parking lots and existing structures that are prime for redevelopment in this area of Downtown.

Most of the revitalization and new construction has been focused on the opposite end of Downtown and into EDo. It will be nice to see activity move more towards this end in the future. Projects like the Villa Agave, Ex Novo Brewery, Arrive Hotel and Downtown Growers' Market Indoor Marketplace should help kick things up a notch in this area going forward.

Further west into West Downtown, Old Town, El Vado/BioPark area, is also gearing up for some exciting projects. Eventually these areas will all flow into each other with revitalization projects connecting them into an exciting whole!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqjUrc2v5q_/













Here are a couple more similar pictures taken by others that I posted over on SSC awhile back but hadn't gotten around to posting them here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClPGra4PIih/





Here are a couple of infographics and a few pics of the Villa Agave project. It had its groundbreaking ceremony back in October but had been under construction for a few months before that. The final project will have 15 residential units constructed in the former convent/nursing home.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgj0578uase/





https://www.instagram.com/p/ChTS12BritR/





https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5ZDksvvzz/



















https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj8kZmnvGxC/

[ABQalex]

Here's another nice project for the stretch of Central Avenue west of Downtown Albuquerque proper that I learned about last month in filings before the Development Facilitation Team. A new 4-story, 115-room Cambria Hotel is being planned for a lot at 2026 Central SW, just south of Old Town proper and adjacent to the Old Town ART station.



This will be a new hotel brand for the city, one which is mostly found in larger cities right now. I haven't been able to find any renderings, but below is the site plan and ground-floor layout for the hotel. It looks like the rooms will be located on the upper three floors, with some structured parking and the lobby on the ground-floor.





The building permit for another new hotel brand for the city was recently issued. The Avid Hotel at 1441 Woodward Road SE will have 4 floors with 80 rooms. Below is a link to the building permit and a pic of another Avid Hotel in Oklahoma City to give us an idea of what we may see built in Albuquerque. Most of their hotels have the same design.

https://posse.cabq.gov/posse/pub/lms...ctId=143311711



Here are a couple of screenshots from Google Streetview showing the construction of the nearby Home2 Suites hotel on University Boulevard.





And here's a recent aerial pic looking towards downtown and showing the area west of the airport where the new hotels are being built. You can also see the Sunport Boulevard extension project from I-25 west to Broadway. The pic was taken during a balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoaGHWWvsEe/



Here's a view from the ground of the Sunport Boulevard extension project from the Albuquerque Journal on Imago.

https://www.imago-images.com/st/0196075713

[ABQalex]

The ground-breaking ceremony was held yesterday for the new Albuquerque Community Safety Department headquarters in the International District. The building is one component of a campus that is planned to also include a new fire station at San Mateo and Kathryn SE and a permanent food truck park.

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/city-...onal-district/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The City of Albuquerque broke ground on the new headquarters of the Albuquerque Community Safety Hub. 

KOB 4 spoke to one neighbor who says he’s excited about the rejuvenation of the area.

“It was kind of disheartening for quite a while. I mean, you can tell by vacant lots around here,” said Don Meaders.

Meaders has lived in southeast Albuquerque for 25 years, and recently he’s seen this vacant lot get a new life. 

ACS was created to help with callouts for mental health crises and other issues.

“I think ACS is a wonderful, wonderful addition to the city’s fire department, the police department, and ACS because the police were asked to do way too much. They were asked to respond to stuff that they aren’t really trained for, or not really equipped for, but the ACS takes a lot of burden off the police department,” said Meaders. 

ACS officials say they chose Kathryn and San Mateo because the International District is historically underserved. 

Walter Adams says connecting with the community is crucial to ACS.

“It’s good to be part of this community, especially here in the southeast. We’re very familiar with it because it does have the highest call volume. But it also gives the- an opportunity that I don’t think a lot of other people had to get to know these individuals,” said Walter Adams Jr. an ACS Behavioral Health supervisor.  

The new headquarters will cost about $9.2 million, with funds coming from general obligation bonds. It will house training facilities and offices for staff, and a community courtyard. 

The International District Harvest Market will also continue to develop next door.

“We’re just really excited to have an opportunity and a space to bring local entrepreneurs that live in this area a space to start, stay, and grow their business for community,” said Alex Horton, the International District Community Development Corporation executive director.

Meaders says this is a step in the right direction to help Albuquerque’s homelessness crisis.

“Let’s let’s try to be good citizens to the rest of our citizens, those are all citizens too,” said Meaders. 

Construction is expected to be done around Spring 2024.

Here are renderings and a site plan for the new headquarters facility from the project page on the city's website.

https://www.cabq.gov/acs/expansion













Here's a pic posted by the Food Hub ABQ account on Instagram showing some of the improvements that have been made to the food truck park area of the site already. It includes lighting and electrical hookups for the food trucks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj3Izc9rVUt/

[ABQalex]

The plans to redevelop and convert from office to residential the Two Park Central tower on San Mateo near Central have apparently fallen through. ABQCREguy over at SSC posted an online auction listing for the building that will take place next month.

https://www.ten-x.com/listing/300-sa...7108/28003253/



The listing touts the potential to redevelop the property with residential uses. The current owner's plans to do so were working their way through the city’s approval process earlier this year and last year and had received several approvals already. It seems abrupt that it is now going up for auction, but perhaps the plan was to sell the building and approved plans together. The plans showed new landscaping and amenities such as a pool on some of the parking lot that surrounds the structure currently. It would've had 130 residential units, according to the plans and filings.



The developer and current owner of Two Park Central is the same one that redeveloped the former Wyndham Hotel at Carlisle and I-40 into the BLVD 2500 apartments. They recently completed demolishing the old indoor waterpark structure at the site. They just submitted a request for a replat of the site into three tracts in order to facilitate the possible development of commercial structures on the former indoor waterpark site. Hopefully this project isn't gonna face the same fate as the Two Park Central project.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...ts-demolished/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – If you’ve driven near Carlisle and I-40 recently, you’ve probably noticed the old water park is no longer there. Demolition of the building started about two weeks ago. “There’s a lot of opportunity for the land,” said the Vice President of Operations for Rhino Investments, who bought the property back in 2016.


So far, they’ve turned the old hotel there into apartments with 290 units, which they say are mostly occupied. As for the old water park, there are plans to turn the 2.3-acre site into a center with food, retail, and possibly a convenience store, calling it a prime location in the city.


“You have 209,000 cars a day between, on I-40 alone, and then another roughly 40,000 cars a day going on Carlisle. So, traffic is phenomenal,” said Anthony Johnson, President of Pegasus Retail, the brokerage for the property.


In an area with a history of problems with loitering and camping, the vacant building proved to be a target for squatters and vandals. But with successful businesses like Rudy’s BBQ nearby, and Whole Foods expanding just across the freeway, project leaders hope this new development continues the momentum.


“There’s just a ton of activity in the intersection so as this continues to gentrify, this will be a phenomenal corner,” said Johnson. Property owners also have plans to re-do the rest of the old hotel and turn it into retail space.


“We’re excited to see the next step here. We’re hopeful we’ll be able to see something that will really bring some good things to the community but also be the next stop for the community to be able to come and enjoy,” said Wall.


They hope to have the new retail center open for business within 18 months.

The KRQE story above makes it seem like something will be built there soon, but in their recent filings before the Development Hearing Officer for a replat the developer says nothing's planned for the site, they just want to facilitate and allow for any possible future development.

http://data.cabq.gov/government/plan...0Submittal.pdf

[ABQalex]

ABQCREguy in his post mentioned the possibility of the city itself purchasing Two Park Central for redevelopment. Hopefully the city can indeed spur or do something to redevelop the Two Park Central tower into housing of some kind.

The Albuquerque Journal last month had a story about the city's plans to purchase and redevelop the mostly vacant and rundown Franklin Plaza Shopping Center at Central and Juan Tabo SE. The city plans and hopes to redevelop it with a fire station, urgent care facility and housing.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2582432/c...lin-plaza.html

The city of Albuquerque has made an offer to purchase Franklin Plaza, City Councilor Renée Grout confirmed Tuesday. Plans to redevelop the 10-acre Southeast Heights property include a new fire station, an urgent care and workforce housing.

The potential purchase has taken more than a year of planning between the property owner, Waken LP, and city officials. Scott Cilke, a spokesperson for the Department of Municipal Development, said in an email to the Journal that the city was still negotiating with the owner, but expected to wrap up talks in the coming weeks.

Grout said the city is waiting on an environmental study before sealing the deal.

The study has the potential to stall the project. The shopping center once housed a dry cleaner; consequently, the land may need soil remediation. It’s uncertain how much remediation would cost or who would be responsible for decontaminating the property.

Grout, who represents the Southeast Heights and has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said the property has been neglected for decades, after Furrs grocery store, once an anchor tenant, left the space.

“It’s been a blighted piece of land for many, many, many years,” Grout said. “Back when I was in high school, we … got our groceries there. It has not been good since.”In the years since Furrs’ departure, the area has hosted a revolving door of businesses, including a bingo hall, a bar and a dollar store. Small restaurants and mom-and-pop shops have also fled the area, including Vietnamese eatery Saigon Sandwich.

The shopping center gained notoriety in 2015 when one of its tenants – Day Spa and Nail – became a filming location on “Better Call Saul.”

In 2014, more than a decade after Furrs left its roughly 40,000 square-foot space in the plaza, ranch and farm retailer Big R planned to take over the vacant storefront. But by 2015, the deal had fallen through.

A year later, there was a plan for redevelopment. Heslin Holdings, a California-based real estate firm, partnered with the Waken family, which had long owned the property. In 2016, the pair planned to give the area a facelift and rebrand the area as “Route 66 Plaza.”

But Franklin Plaza remained Franklin Plaza. In 2020, the property was approved for a use change, which would allow for large-scale destination retail and high-density housing, among other new uses.

Additional housing is crucial for the airmen who work at the nearby Kirtland Air Force Base, Grout said.

“There’s a housing shortage,” Grout said. “It would always be nice to get some more housing, and workforce housing especially.”

The city plans to knock down one retail strip on the northern side of the shopping center to make room for a three-acre fire station, Grout said. She hopes that part of the remaining seven acres will be used for local restaurants, retail and most importantly, an urgent care.

“There’s a real need for it,” Grout said. “We don’t have an urgent care in that area.”

The Department of Municipal Development and Albuquerque Fire Rescue were unable to provide details at present about the funding and cost of the proposed fire station. In an email, Cilke said additional details would be available once the negotiation process is complete.

Franklin Plaza falls into Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency territory. Grout said she hopes the area is revitalized ahead of the Route 66 centennial in 2026.

“We need to bring back the East Central area,” Grout said.

A couple of years ago in another RFP I discovered and posted here that YES Housing was working on a proposal for this property. The city has apparently been planning this purchase and redevelopment since at least then. We shall see if the YES Housing proposal ends up factoring into the city's redevelopment plans for the property.

The California company that was supposed to redevelop this shopping center was successful in redeveloping the shopping center at Central and Atrisco SW after the Kmart location closed there back in 2015. The old Kmart space was filled with Burlington and Conn's, an addition was filled with Dollar Tree, Stanton Optical and Oak Street Health, outparcels received new Panda Express, T-Mobile, SuperCuts and Dunkin' locations, and a smaller existing structure was filled with a new Harbor Freight location. It's really disappointing that they couldn't repeat that success at Franklin Plaza as well.



The Walmart location at 301 San Mateo SE between Central and Zuni recently closed as well, on March 10th. The city is also hoping to purchase that site with help from the state. The plans are to redevelop it, possibly with housing, but it seems the city may be looking at reusing the structure for organizations and entities such as resource and aid centers, as well as a local food store and pharmacy of some kind, to replace those services that were lost with the Walmart closure. It was said that the city was possibly looking to issue an RFP for an operator for the grocery store, like it did for the Downtown grocery store years ago.

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/walma...closes-friday/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Walmart on San Mateo near Central is closing its doors for good Friday.

This Walmart location served as a primary store for food, medication and other necessities for people in the International District.

4 Investigates worked to uncover the closure for months, until it was finally confirmed in February.

City and state officials are trying to turn what will soon be a vacant lot into something beneficial for the city – if and when Walmart puts it up for sale.

“It’s a huge lot that would give us the opportunity to maybe provide housing and have it be co-located on these transit routes with food, pharmacy, small business, etc.,” said Pat Davis, Albuquerque City Council president.

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/elect...onal-district/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — City and state officials announced they are working to secure resources to acquire the shuttering Walmart store property on San Mateo near Central.

Their plan is to work with community members to repurpose the site to serve local residents. State Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and state Rep. Janelle Anyanonu have led funding efforts, with each securing $1 million in capital outlay from their respective chambers for a total of $2 million.

In early February, residents of Albuquerque’s International District reacted with concern to the announcement that their neighborhood Walmart was closing its doors permanently on March 10. With limited options in the area, many use the store as their primary source for healthy food, fresh produce, medications, and other goods in the area.

“We’re working hard to bring together community leaders, elected officials and Walmart to create a path forward for this property so that it can be a community asset and provide critical access to food and other essentials for the International District,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “Investing in a solution that can help fill the void is important and it’s key that it be a community-driven decision on what that ultimately looks like.”

An additional funding source could come from the passing of Senate Bill 251, which would expand the city’s ability to use gross receipts taxes to invest in redevelopment for projects such as the Walmart site. The bill received a “Do Pass” recommendation last week from the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.

The former Walmart structure is over 209,000 sq ft and has been kept in great condition, receiving several renovations inside and out in the last few years. That's apparently why the city is looking at reusing the structure. It also sits on a huge piece of land that was cobbled together through expansions since the store originally opened as a smaller Discount City location back in 1985.



I would rather see the structure demolished and the street grid restored. I'd like to see an urban village-type of redevelopment project built over the site. I envision several multi-story buildings on the new blocks, with a square of some kind in the center, either a park or plaza. The buildings could have some commercial space on the ground-floor facing the square and possibly along San Mateo as well. The square could be used for a farmers market and other community events and gatherings.

[ABQalex]

The grocery store at Mesa del Sol opened on Saturday. It has been renamed as My Market and it occupies 6,000 sq ft on the ground-floor of the Aperture Center building.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico...es-new-market/

BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) — Mesa del Sol residents can now stay a little closer to home for their groceries. A new market has officially opened.

“My Market” held its official grand opening this morning. The goal was to create a unique experience for shoppers while still covering the necessities.

Prior to opening “My Market,” owner Kiki Salcido said residents had to drive nearly 45 minutes to the closest grocery store.

“This is a huge milestone for this entire development as a whole. This is a huge amenity this community has been asking for for a long time, and we’re happy to be able to provide that for them,” said Salcido.

The market is located off University Boulevard and Stryker Road. It’s open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here's the My Market grocery store's website.

https://mymarketmds.com/

Here's the Facebook page for the new grocery store. I've included a photo from the page showing the space while it was still under construction earlier this year.

https://www.facebook.com/MyMarketMDS



Here's another story from last month by KOB-TV on YouTube which looked at Mesa del Sol and the plans for its development. The story mentioned and showed the grocery store while it was still being setup. The delays in opening the store were blamed on the supply chain issues. Remember that the store was originally supposed to open last summer. The story also looked at the possibility and prospects of a stadium for the United at Mesa del Sol. An announcement was teased in the story, but of course none ever happened, and instead we had the whole Balloon Fiesta Park debacle. The story includes aerial footage of the Encanto Mesa del Sol apartment project.

• Video Link



Here are a few more pics of the Encanto Mesa del Sol Project. Like in the screenshot above, you can see the Netflix project as well in the first pic.

https://www.facebook.com/pavilionconstruction





https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5417605065006416



Here's a story by KOAT last week talking about the state funding that was set aside for a "sports and cultural facility" in Albuquerque. Apparently people are upset that the mayor said this would go toward the United stadium and not be used to further build out the youth sports facilities and fields at Mesa del Sol, where the United's practice facility was built. The governor says the money was always meant to only be used for the stadium and blames a legislative mistake for making people think that it could or would be used for the youth sports facilities. The story also includes various shots of Mesa del Sol and the construction going on there.

https://www.koat.com/article/mesa-de...erque/43501711

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Gloria Faber with the New Mexico Youth Soccer Organization was upset when she learned the $5 million appropriated by the legislature for the Mesa del Sol Project was taken away.

“It was disheartening. It was unfortunate that it happened,” Faber said.

Last week Target 7 was told by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office in a statement:

“The Legislature included multiple drafting errors in the original legislation that required more than a dozen (16) changes on the House floor. This funding was always intended for the purpose you outline below (sports and cultural center in Bernalillo County), so no money was taken away from Mesa del Sol.”

As we now know, the city of Albuquerque appears to be using that money to help New Mexico United build infrastructure around a stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park.

New Mexico United told Target 7 they had nothing to do with securing funds for stadium infrastructure and their stadium would be built with private money.

“We're not against any projects that receive capital outlay, money that's important as well. Our focus is youth,” Faber said.

While Faber is disappointed, she wants to remind people about the impact the Mesa del Sol Project would have on the city of Albuquerque.

She said with a new facility for youth, New Mexico would be on the map to host tournaments, such as the U.S. Far West Regional Championship.

“When we host regionals, we bring 230 teams out,” Faber said.

The last time New Mexico hosted the tournament was in 2014, location of play is based off field size and amenities.

“We have turned down hosting events because we just do not have the field space here,” Faber said.

Because teams from 13 states come to participate, the tournament can bring in millions.

“$4 or $5 million and upwards,” Faber said.

In 2014, it was reported more than 20,000 people visited the Duke City over a nine-day span for the tournament.

Nearly 18,000 hotel rooms were booked.

The mess continues to get worse with the stadium and this administration's non-coordination and miscommunication about the project. It doesn't help that terms like "sports and cultural center" continue to be used, rather than soccer stadium. That's always bugged me, and it's an odious practice done across the country. It's obviously done to make public funding for these stadiums more palatable to some, but it just comes off slimey to me. I'd rather a stadium succeed or fail on its own merit and terms.

It also looks like it's the United's turn to throw someone under the bus. In the story they basically say that they don't know what the mayor is talking about with regard to using the state funding for the project. They also say it's gonna be completely privately financed. I don't know if that's a smart statement to make going forward, but clearly there's no shortage of incompetence and idiotic statements in this city and state.

[ABQalex]

A couple of interesting projects were revealed in the agenda for this month's Environmental Planning Commission meeting that will take place on Thursday.

https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/...3%20Agenda.pdf

A developer plans to convert an old hotel on the east side of I-25 along Pan American Freeway NE just south of San Francisco Road. The project will have 169 efficiency apartments in about 46,000 sq ft of space located within 3 existing structures. They are seeking a zone change to MX-H from the current NR-LM zoning. EPC staff recommends approval and there isn't any opposition to the zone change.

https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/...Frwy%20ZMA.pdf









A new Target location is being planned for the Coors Pavilion development at Coors and St. Joseph's NW. The store will have 146,000 sq ft of space. The developer is asking for an amendment to the site plan and a replat of the site in order to accommodate the new store. The site plan originally called for a big box store but was later amended for smaller pad sites. The developer wishes to revert back to the original vision for the site now that they have Target lined up for the project. EPC staff recommends approval and there is no neighborhood opposition to the changes.

https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/...Coors%20MA.pdf





https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/Coor...e-NM/13694047/



The same developer is also planning a new shopping center on the empty land just to the south across St. Joseph's. The proposed Oxbow Center was planned to be anchored by a new Smith's grocery store, which was to include one of their gas stations. However, they ran into fierce opposition from the neighborhood groups for the large signs that they want to put up for the shopping center. Smith's dropped out, but the architect for the project says that another big box store is still planned for the shopping center.

https://www.abqwestside.com/smiths-i...quest-remains/

https://www.abqwestside.com/no-respo...ign-variances/





I also learned last month in my regular search of building permits that American Home has plans for a new store at Carlisle Crossing next to the new Whole Foods location. The store will have about 62,000 sq ft of space and will apparently replace their existing location nearby across the freeway at Carlisle and Menaul.

https://posse.cabq.gov/posse/pub/lms...ctId=176848757

http://base5retail.com/properties/carlisle_crossing/





https://www.loopnet.com/property/210...5904004630123/







Their existing store was built in the early 1960s as their flagship location when it was beginning to expand with stores in other nearby states and cities and across Albuquerque. With the Great Recession they closed all but their flagship location and their discount American Furniture Outlet and Clearance Center location at I-25 and Comanche.



American Home was founded in the 1920s as American Furniture by the Blaugrund family in Downtown Albuquerque. Its original location was on the northwest corner of 2nd Street and Silver Avenue.

[ABQalex]

Downtown Albuquerque News last week had a bit of an update about the Greater Downtown Housing RFEI. They quoted Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency director Terry Brunner's comments to a meeting of the Downtown Neighborhoods Association. The comments concerned the number of housing units needed in Downtown Albuquerque. He revealed that the RFEI attracted three submissions and he hopes an awarding of the $3 million in funds will be made in the summer.

https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/

Official: Downtown needs 5,000 housing units

That's what Metropolitan Redevelopment Director Terry Brunner told the recent annual meeting of the Downtown Neighborhoods Association: "We are really trying to go as fast as we can with housing," he said. "We need anything we can possibly build."

A $3 million housing financing package offered up recently under a request for expressions of interest yielded three responses, Brunner added, and the hope is to get the money out later this summer. (The proposals have not yet been made public.)

I'm planning to do a RFOIA request for the submissions, but it's always tricky to know when exactly to make a request. The city now drags its feet and is still using the pandemic as an excuse for why they are taking so long. They've also increasingly come up with excuses as to why things can't be released or aren't yet considered public records.

We know that Palindrome's Motel 21 redevelopment project is one of the submissions.

It's also now unlikely that Jay Rembe's The Clyde/The Pearl project will be submitted, since it's looking like they will be granted the tax abatements that they applied for recently. It's also under the 50-unit threshold for consideration. Perhaps he has another project in the works in the area and that's why he attended the pre-proposal conference.

I also wonder if maybe the Sawmill District project's apartment component might be a submittal to the RFEI. It's the only one of the three Sawmill District projects that has yet to be submitted for approval through the city’s normal process, and that's why I wonder if perhaps it's waiting to see if it gets this help from the city.

I also recently stated over at SSC that I hope/wonder whether Geltmore will resubmit the Symphony Tower proposal. They attended the pre-proposal conference for the RFEI and that's why I'm wondering if they might try to be bring the project to fruition yet again. Remember that it won the Skyline Competition RFP back in 2017 and then was tweaked and resubmitted as The Duke for the Civic North RFP in 2020.

We shall see what happens, and I hope to find out what has been submitted soon!



MRA Director Terry Brunner also recently talked to the Albuquerque Journal about the potential of the new redevelopment funding mechanism that has recently become law in New Mexico. He says that Downtown Albuquerque in particular could benefit from $300 million in funding for redevelopment projects over the next twenty years. That's compared to the relatively small amount of funding that we've been able to tap into with our existing tools and mechanisms.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2591206/m...alization.html

Legislation approved this session aims to improve metropolitan redevelopment across the state by expanding funding for projects in blighted areas.

The legislation, Senate Bill 251, passed through the Senate and House in the 60-day session with just one vote in opposition. It was signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 4.

Sponsored by Democratic legislators Carrie Hamblen and Kristina Ortez, and Republican legislators Craig Brandt and Gay Kernan, it goes into effect July 2024.

To better understand the Metro Development Act Changes’ potential economic impact and what it means, the Journal sat down with City of Albuquerque Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Director Terry Brunner.

Journal: In your own words, can you summarize what this legislation does for metropolitan redevelopment?

Brunner: Senate Bill 251 makes adjustments to the statute that governs metropolitan redevelopment agencies across the state and gives them the ability to implement tax increment financing as a redevelopment tool.

This now expands our abilities to collect gross receipts taxes, and do so with the county, city and state portions of gross receipts taxes, which really raises dramatically the amount of money we can spend on redevelopment in our metropolitan redevelopment areas.

Journal: How is this tax increment financing different from what was done in the past?

Brunner: Municipalities can choose to designate an area as blighted or in need of redevelopment. Albuquerque has been doing that for a few decades.

Now, we have a couple of dozen areas and when we go in and redevelop an area, we’re typically using general funds or maybe our bond funds. And, you know, we might do, in a redevelopment area, one project every 20 years. A good example is in east Downtown (Albuquerque). More than a decade ago, we did the old Albuquerque High project and invested in that. And that was one project in an entire district.

We’re not alone in that — a lot of the metropolitan redevelopment areas across the state are doing one or two projects in an area they’ve designated (blighted) every five to 10 years, and that’s because they’re really trying to use their city’s general funds, which isn’t a lot.

So, the ability to do a large housing development is pretty small with $5-$10 million. It doesn’t go that far. What this is doing is raising the potential revenue to focus on a particular area. That’s what’s new and different here.

Journal: Has the MRA made any estimates in terms of how much potential revenue might increase?

Brunner: I didn’t mention that under this tax increment financing, we can do a 20-year duration to that increment. The other thing that’s unique about this is if you declare a particular area blighted, you can see your way to 20 years of funding. What cities have traditionally done across the state is they’ll do bit by bit projects … and so there’s no real consistency.

We’ve looked at Main Street areas across the state and those districts might see an occasional federal grant or a state grant, but that’s one-time funding. To be able to plan for 20 years of redevelopment with a consistent revenue flow is a completely different way of doing it.

So, over 20 years, we estimate in Ruidoso they could generate $12 million over 20 years. In Las Cruces, they could generate $145 million over 20 years. And in our Downtown, using tax increment financing we could generate just shy of $300 million over 20 years.

Journal: That’s a significant amount of money for redevelopment.

Brunner: It’s a significant amount of money and to put it in perspective, what we tell people is (that) this is what you see when you travel to other Western cities.

Like when you wonder how Denver redeveloped its downtown, or how Dallas redeveloped some of its areas, or Salt Lake (City), they’re typically using this tool. (That’s) because it’s very hard to do redevelopment on a case-by-case basis, and ask the (Albuquerque) City Council for a project here or a project there. If you can plan out 20 years for redevelopment, it’s a much more wholesale process.

Journal: It sounds like prior to this legislation, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency was limited on monetary resources. This opens the floodgates for more redevelopment, if you will.

Brunner: Exactly.

Journal: When this legislation goes into effect, what are we looking at in terms of future MRA projects?

Brunner: Well, I think for sure, we’ll be looking at Downtown (Albuquerque). I think there’s a definite need there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some work on east Central as well. I think those are two areas that are in obvious need.

But what’s unique about this legislation, in a sense, is the state and the county have the option to contribute as well. What I’m excited about is trying to find those areas where we can form partnerships — where the state, the county and the city all see the value in reinvesting in an area.

It also attracts industry and new businesses and redevelopment. It kind of gives us the ability to make larger, more impactful investments.

So, if we’re trying to attract industry from out of state, if we’re trying to get someone to grow their local restaurant or their local business, and we can help them find a building or provide some land, we can be much more aggressive. We don’t have to wait years and years to cobble together funds. … We can take action more quickly and be more impactful, which I think is exciting as businesses look to grow or expand in Albuquerque.

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque Business First's New Mexico Inno has a story with pics about Dion's new central commissary that was recently completed in the renovated former It'z entertainment center structure. The story also talks about Dion's plans for expansion that this new, larger commissary will accommodate.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...ommissary.html

With upgraded equipment and nearly double the amount of production space, the CEO of Dion's thinks the company is prepped for even more expansion thanks to its new commissary.

Mark Herman, Dion's CEO, told Albuquerque Business First the popular pizza and subs restaurant's commissary began operations in late February. Located in the former It'Z Pizza building at 4595 San Mateo Blvd. NE, the facility is around 53,000 square feet and combines food production and storage spaces with administrative offices.

Pitched as Dion's new flagship campus in Albuquerque when the company purchased the building in 2021, the commissary currently employs 65 people in a mix of production and administrative roles.

Dion's uses the commissary to house the major production functions for its signature dressings, bakery items and ingredients for pizzas, salads and subs. The building also includes Dion's purchasing and catering departments.

"We can explore the idea of producing more products here," Herman said. "I think we can do it in an environment that's great for the employees and really kind of on the leading edge of food safety."

It follows other recent expansions that have included Tula's, a new restaurant concept in Northeast Albuquerque, and a Dion's in Albuquerque's Ventana Ranch community.

"We have 27 Dion's and one Tula's now," Herman told Business First. "This facility could probably handle double that."

He said the company wants to "keep growing" in Colorado, where Dion's currently has three locations in Aurora, Colorado Springs and Commerce City. Texas is another state where Dion's wants to multiply. It has two locations in Lubbock.

Dion's could announce a second Tula's "sometime this summer," Herman said. He didn't share any details about where that new location might be.

"We're still a slow-growth company, because we want to make sure we keep the culture and the quality," Herman said. "So, I'm not saying we're going to open 28 stores in two years, but even if we're adding a couple [locations] per year we had just maxed out the old space."

Dion's new commissary is about 15,000 square feet larger than its previous facility, and the food production areas are roughly 35% bigger. The commissary cost upwards of $10 million to get up and running, Herman said.

Here's the website and a few pictures of Dion's new sister restaurant, Tula's Kitchen, that opened last year and which the story above states that a second location is in the works.

https://www.tulaskitchen.com/location/tulas-kitchen/







https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=62032

[PHX31]

Even though NM and AZ are states that share a huge border with each other, I don't think I've once been in NM, except a couple times maybe driving through Gallup. I know almost nothing about Albuquerque, but I have enjoyed your updates, thank you. That Sawmill area could be awesome if redeveloped.

[ABQalex]

Originally Posted by PHX31

Even though NM and AZ are states that share a huge border with each other, I don't think I've once been in NM, except a couple times maybe driving through Gallup. I know almost nothing about Albuquerque, but I have enjoyed your updates, thank you. That Sawmill area could be awesome if redeveloped.

Thanks as well! I'm not sure if you might be referring to the Rail Yards as shown in the picture from that post, but, yes, the Sawmill Area is also one of the most exciting and rapidly changing areas of the city right now.

If the Sawmill District plans come to fruition it will really take it to another level. It also feeds off of and allows for Old Town to have a growth area, which the historic preservation rules really discourage in Old Town proper. Old Town is the biggest tourist magnet in Albuquerque and the Sawmill Area blends that with amenities that attract locals to the area as well. It has the potential to be really vibrant because of that.




https://www.instagram.com/p/CZaSPndvs21/


https://www.instagram.com/p/CZfEYlauePZ/

In that last picture above of the Sawmill Area I can really just imagine how cool it could be to have the new soccer stadium for the New Mexico United built there at 12th Street and I-40 (in the center-left of the picture). I could imagine on game day people utilizing the upcoming Rail Trail along the rail spur to get between places like Ponderosa Brewing and the Sawmill Market and the new stadium before and after matches. It just shows how new developments can feed off of each other and just snowball into great new places and experiences in our cities. It could be awesome for Albuquerque, if only we had the will among our leaders and in this city to try for a downtown stadium again.

[PHX31]

Yeah, I was talking about that gigantic abandoned and historic looking building.

Thanks for the clarification on the Sawmill district. That could be very nice. A long time ago I poked around on Street View on the Old Town area - that looks like a very nice historic area for ABQ to have.

[ABQalex]

Originally Posted by PHX31

Yeah, I was talking about that gigantic abandoned and historic looking building.

Thanks for the clarification on the Sawmill district. That could be very nice. A long time ago I poked around on Street View on the Old Town area - that looks like a very nice historic area for ABQ to have.

Oh, okay, yeah, that's the Rail Yards, the historic Santa Fe Railroad maintenance facility. They were shut down by the railroad in the 1980s. The city purchased them in the early 2000s in order to save them and redevelop the property. A master plan was crafted and a developer was chosen. Years went by without any action by the developer, so the current mayor terminated the development agreement and the city has since done a few things on its own to rehabilitate and improve the property.

It has been used for filming since the early 2000s and in the last decade began to be used for the weekend Rail Yards Market. Just recently the state announced that the Next Generation Media Academy will be located there. The city has also recently revealed an updated master plan to guide future development. The city envisions housing and various commercial uses within the existing structures and in new structures elsewhere on the property.



The plan also calls for the rebuilding of the smokestack and roundhouse structures, which were the only significant structures torn down of the original complex. Below is an aerial pic of the Rail Yards at its peak in the 1940s. It was once Albuquerque's largest employer with over 10,000 workers, which was a quarter of the city’s workforce at the time.

[ABQalex]

Downtown Albuquerque News on Friday had a bit of an update about the Arrive Hotel project, with a picture showing the construction and demolition work.

https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/



Here's another angle of the hotel from a poster on Instagram showing the work that's currently being done.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrW2MqOsX1H/



Downtown Albuquerque News late last year had reported that work had stopped on the project after the initial interior demolition and roof work that had gotten underway early last year. KRQE then had a story in February that work would start up again in March.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...lowing-delays/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – People know it as Hotel Blue, a prominent piece of property at the corner of 8th and Central in Downtown Albuquerque, that’s been there since 1965. But for the last few years, it’s sat vacant, attracting problem after problem.

“There was a lot of people jumping the fence and, you know, all those kinds of different things – breaking into the rooms and I think I called several times. I was like, I think I heard broken glass but I don’t know,” a local business owner said.

Back in 2019, there was some hope things were going to change. A Los Angeles developer bought the hotel with plans to invest more than $20 million. Ezra Callahan says they were shovel-ready in the spring of 2020 but the pandemic, rising costs, and changes in contractors caused major delays.

Victoria Vandame, the owner of Curious Toast – a cafe directly across the street, would like to see the historic hotel up and running again. She says it would be a game changer for her business. “It will be a win for downtown for sure and Curious Toast will definitely feed all those guys,” Vandame says.

Callahan says construction on the old Hotel Blue will be starting in a couple of weeks. It will become “Arrive Albuquerque” a boutique hotel with a new pool, bar, and restaurant. “This being such a big property, if it’s a boutique hotel, that’s going to bring in a certain type of customer, which is going to tie in really nicely with some of the other plans going on,” said Joaquin Baca, the President of the ABQ Core Downtown Neighborhood and Business Association.

Baca believes this will bring new life to all of downtown. “I think two to three years from today, it will be completely new, completely different, and people will love it,” says Baca.

The project should be done by the end of 2024.

Over at SSC I had posted about these stops and starts for the project over the last year and how frustrating they are. They've caused me to not have any confidence in the project. But hopefully this is finally the beginning of the project fully getting underway and coming to fruition.



The city's Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency also recently shared on Instagram an infographic with two pics of the Imperial Inn redevelopment project.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrBTJZvrrqx/



Here's a pic of the project that the developer shared on LinkedIn recently. You can see the foundation being laid for the second new structure at the site.

https://www.linkedin.com/m/feed/upda...2875107799040/



And here's a pic shared by the architect on Instagram a couple of weeks ago when the structural steel went up for the first new structure at the site.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqoFpeIv3nx/



It looks like the small apartment building just south of Downtown Albuquerque in Barelas is completed or nearing completion. Below are a few pics from a listing for one of the units.

https://www.trulia.com/p/nm/albuquer...02--2613281898













Here's a pic of the Monterey Motel sign with the Monterey Place project visible in the background from a poster on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqoFpeIv3nx/



And here's a pic of the project taken from the construction cam this evening. It doesn't look like it will be completed this month like was said, but certainly soon.