Albuquerque Development Thread

[ABQalex]

The Albuquerque Development Commission at its meeting last week also considered and approved a $30 million industrial revenue bond request for the New Mexico United's soccer stadium project at Balloon Fiesta Park. The team says that it's an overall $40 million project.

https://www.cabq.gov/mra/documents/case-2024-17-bfp-irb-adc-packet.pdf

[ABQalex]

Here are some pics of neon lights and signs along Central Avenue that Downtown Albuquerque News recently had in a special feature. They were taken by longtime Albuquerque Journal photographer Roberto Rosales. There are a few more pics that I've recently seen on Facebook by other people that fit with the theme which I've snuck in along the way as well. They include two pics showing the incredible El Don Motel sign when it was still lit up.

https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/










https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=102...821805677110&idorvanity=1418370278455617


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10231440795457281&set=p.10231440795457281&type=3


https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=102...8677836420961&idorvanity=192834352005320














https://www.facebook.com/reggie.tibbetts...inEnFwZ19jAjLyYzTkwWCWp2Lxx9HE1AJHnEF4wl





KRQE earlier this year had a story about the plans for a new neon sign to mark the International District on Central Avenue. They hope to have it completed in time for the Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-me...-route-66-in-the-international-district/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A plan to bring a new illuminated gateway sign to Route 66 in Albuquerque’s International District is in the works. The National Endowment for the Arts recently awarded 75,000 dollars to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the City of Albuquerque, and local art nonprofit Friends of the Orphan Signs to bring local artists and community members together to co-create the sign.

“So we’re really hoping to get connected with several unique communities and get their ideas, their opinions, and co-create designs with them, and then have these four artists come together to create one final design. So each artist is actually going to be a spokesperson for their community,” said Lindsey Fromm, executive director of Friends of the Orphan Signs.

Fromm and Di Gao, senior director of research and development at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said that the sign design and style will be developed through multiple collaborative workshops with artists and community members. Depending on the design, the sign may be constructed from scratch or retrofitted on one of the existing sign structures already located on Route 66.

“I think the International District is such a melting pot that we hope that this sign, this community engagement, will celebrate the layers of cultural change and identities that are present already in the area,” said Gao.

The City of Albuquerque, Friends of the Orphan Signs, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are planning to get together in July to hopefully create a project schedule and discuss artists and future workshops. “The process may take up to two years to make sure that we are really going through this iterative process of engaging the community,” said Gao.

The plan is to have the sign debut in time for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026. “For people to see themselves, their identities, their histories, and culture within this sign, in this very unique neighborhood, I think it’s going to give a great sense of pride and investment in a neighborhood that is struggling a bit,” Fromm said.

The inspiration for this project came from artist Sammy Yuen, who traveled through New Mexico in the summer of 2023—funded in part by the National Trust’s Route 66 initiative—where he drew a series of images documenting the Asian American experience along Route 66. One piece he created was a neon sign that would bring light and better connect International District businesses to the tourism corridor. To view Yuen’s work, click here.

Here's a vintage pic of this area of Central Avenue and its neon signs.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=319...2590420696372&idorvanity=192834352005320



Another sign project is in the works further up Central in the East Gateway area. The sign is meant to be a gateway/welcome sign for Albuquerque on Central Avenue to fit with the area’s location at the foot of Tijeras Canyon where Route 66 travelers entered the city from the east. Below is a link to the project on the city’s website, including the two options and various views of the sign proposals.

https://www.cabq.gov/council/find-your-c...-public-art-projects/central-avenue-neon

[ABQalex]

Here are some nice recent pics of Downtown and Uptown Albuquerque that have recently been posted on Instagram and Facebook and by Downtown Albuquerque News. The first few pics were taken from the top of the Sandias, two of which capture the Uptown and Downtown skylines together. Click the links below most of the embedded images to see them in their original sizes.

https://www.instagram.com/abqjeff/p/DD0FfqJPHpv/?img_index=4


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https://www.instagram.com/abqjeff/p/DCPxPjHvGUd/?img_index=5


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https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy0woqJOHSP/



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







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https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/







https://www.instagram.com/p/DDI4xmVvQFZ/



https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=960...1382879620828&idorvanity=459430119149444



Here are a couple of neat nighttime aerial pics of Downtown and Uptown Albuquerque by a poster on Instagram. The Uptown pic was taken just a few days ago and shows the new Element hotel and its rooftop bar and restaurant in the lower right corner. The Downtown pic was taken earlier this year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3jWxCkoOQX/


https://images2.imgbox.com/2f/8d/jKKwcLi8_o.jpg

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDV6na9OFlQ/


https://images2.imgbox.com/ec/d6/qmanibhK_o.jpg

[ABQalex]

Here are a few pics of the luminarias last night at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Martineztown. This is a tradition on Christmas Eve at the cemetery to decorate the graves of loved ones and light luminarias in their memory.

https://www.facebook.com/lozoyastudios/p...bYCmjBBfuoRMSqqepnrJYX3E4qcNANNPnBWpuGql







https://www.facebook.com/andrew.carrillo...m8zbYUNrEbEHXrsADPuRdwYUtvbxPsTNkVpFAQMl

[ABQalex]

Here are some pics of the luminarias last night in Old Town and the Country Club Area west of Downtown Albuquerque. These are the main points on the city’s annual Luminaria Tour. The first pics are some of Old Town taken over the past few days showing its festive atmosphere.

https://www.instagram.com/chloeolhchen/p/DD_X6aNMysY/





https://www.instagram.com/thomas.scott.phd/p/DD3WZTPzml4/?img_index=2





https://www.instagram.com/snapsbyarjun/p/DD66dRxu-bs/



https://www.instagram.com/newmexicodailylife/p/DD7oxztvvZG/?img_index=6



https://www.instagram.com/avalily.mac/p/DD5Us8LSr7I/?img_index=2



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https://www.instagram.com/kenlytlenm/p/DEAWw-Wp5Re/



Here's a story by KRQE about the preparations for the Luminaria Tour, which is in its 59th year. The city has staged this event since 1965 and uses city buses that arrive and depart from the convention center to transport people along the route. The actual tour and coordinated luminaria display goes back even further, to 1955. It was begun by the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the city took it over and assumed responsibility for the tour portion of the event.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/albuquerque-residents-prepare-for-59th-luminaria-tour/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Ready to light up Albuquerque, a beloved Christmas Eve tradition is bringing thousands to downtown Tuesday night with the start of the annual one-night Luminaria Tour. While the sun’s out, sand-filled bags might not seem like much, but at night it’s a transformation into twinkling displays that can light up an entire neighborhood.

“I think that the tradition has been maintained which is important and we have neighborhoods like this where everybody puts the lights up,” said Kylene Wing, resident.

Barry Kirk and Kylene Wing said the yearly event gets their whole family together. They’re aiming for 135 luminarias around their home. “You know we always joke about how we do it and everybody has a little bit of fun with, ‘Well that’s not how you do it, this is the way you do it’ and we’ve just been doing it every year,” said Barry Kirk, resident.

Local Boy Scout troops are behind a lot of the luminara set-up offering their help as a fundraiser for equipment. Their work started around 8 a.m. and continues through the night, making sure luminarias stay bright.

“It’s a fun cultural event. It’s really fun just seeing the people have these extravagant cultural events,” said James Administrator, family of Boy Scout troop.

“And it’s beautiful at night too when we’re on our way out and you get to see all the luminarias,” said Emily Edington, family of Boy Scout troop.

Calling it his favorite part of Christmas since he was a kid, he said he wants to keep the tradition alive for future generations. “You do this for other people now, that’s how it’s changed. It’s for other kids that were like me to enjoy and just have a part of their life,” said Alexander Harding, friend of resident.

“It is important and tradition and family, the things that make holidays special are things that we need to cherish,” said Kylene Wing, resident.

All five of the city-run driving luminaria tours are sold out. The last one will start around 7 p.m. but people are also invited to walk the neighborhood. Traffic through much of the country club neighborhood will be closed off to cars. This is the 59th year of the Luminaria Tour, which starts and ends at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Here's a link to the Luminaria Tour's website, which includes a map of this year's route.

https://www.luminariatour.com/



Luminaria displays can be found throughout the city. Below are pics showing some other displays across town.

https://www.instagram.com/sprouticus/p/DD_O4hcMF5_/





https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162801722598140&set=pcb.10162801722763140



https://www.instagram.com/vidaaltoe/p/DEA05M7RB1V/?img_index=1



https://www.instagram.com/rachsyme/p/DEAR2y0RZMF/







Here also are a few pics and a story about the 35th annual Christmas Eve balloon glow and luminaria display at Arroyo del Oso Golf Course in the Northeast Heights. The luminaria display honors victims of cancer.

https://www.krqe.com/video/35th-annual-a...r-balloon-glow-held-on-tuesday/10323711/

35th annual Arroyo Del Oso Hot Air Balloon Glow held on Tuesday.

Visitors got to enjoy food, music, and hot air balloons.

https://www.abqjournal.com/multimedia/collection_015ea496-c261-11ef-bf6a-5f2bbdd4cc6b.html



https://www.instagram.com/outstaringtheabyss/p/DD_QwhHpoOw/













Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings, Everyone!

https://www.instagram.com/tetsuro76/p/DEAfNOzv8iQ/

[ABQalex]

Here are some more nice aerial pics taken during a balloon ride and posted by a pilot for Rainbow Ryders on Facebook at the beginning of the week. You can see the recent development projects such as the apartment buildings along north 4th Street, Avanyu Plaza, the Wells Park expansion north of Downtown, the rehabilitation hospital site at I-25 and Mountain Road, UNM Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital’s new towers, and the Skilled Trades Facility and other recent projects at CNM and UNM's South Campus. In the last pic on the Westside you can see the site of the new Target store, the Ativo Senior Living and Overture Andalucia projects, as well as the shopping center with Sprouts that was also built fairly recently.

(Click the links directly below the embedded images to see them full size)

https://www.facebook.com/kris.braden.9/p...c2DmTDGST9mmXUJZNwjePrQdLJUWvg5v4oTfGwUl


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https://images2.imgbox.com/31/25/nFe9TPZn_o.jpg

[ABQalex]

The Environmental Planning Commission has approved the Mesa Film Studios project at Double Eagle II Airport on the Westside.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/...roves-mesa-film-studios-pnm-project.html

The Environmental Planning Commission approved the Mesa Film Studios project and a PNM project in the Elena Gallegos Open Space during its Dec. 19 meeting.

Mesa Film Studios project

The commission approved the Mesa Film Studios project by a 7-1 vote, with one commissioner absent, according to Tim Walsh, public information officer for the city of Albuquerque’s Planning Department.

It’s estimated that the 60-acre film studio will create 25 jobs through direct hires, between 700 and 800 jobs through tenant productions, 723 indirect jobs supported by business services and 452 indirect jobs supported by household spending, according to Joanie Griffin, Mesa Film Studios spokesperson.

The approval came after the commission deferred the vote in its November meeting because the commission did not properly follow public notification procedures. The commission was concerned that if approved in November, the notification violation could make the project susceptible to appeals, potentially prolonging the film studio’s construction timeline for longer than the deferral did.

The project’s next steps are a review by the design review team, a meeting with the development facilitation team and the completion of a subdivision process before submitting building permits.

...

Here are links to the submittal and notice of decision from the EPC's files, which both have more information about the project. They state that the project will create nearly 300,000 sq ft of studio space in the initial phase in the middle tract depicted in the ABF image above.

https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/envi...PR-2018-001577%20SI-2024-01470%20NOD.pdf



https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/envi...24-01470_FilmStudioDEII_SitePlan-EPC.pdf





As you can see in the last image above that shows the phasing and possible additions to the site, they are envisioning more studio space in the second phase and possible extended-stay/hotel and retail/commercial uses fronting Atrisco Vista Boulevard in the third phase.

[ABQalex]

The MX at Petroglyph rental townhomes project on the Westside has increased its unit count to 36 from the 28 that I previously posted in this thread. The design of the structures themselves seems to have stayed the same but they've managed to add an additional 8 units by reconfiguring the site plan.

https://dmdmaps.cabq.gov/DRB/PR-2022-007...75%20DFT%20Sketch%20Plan%20Submittal.pdf







Below is the site plan and a few renderings for the Tierra Linda Apartments on the Southwest Mesa from its recent submittal to the Development Facilitation Team. It will have 240 units and will be similar to the existing Valle de Atrisco Apartments that are immediately to the west, which also have 240 units.

The 156-unit Ceja Vista Senior Apartments are also just to the west and further up Dennis Chavez Boulevard. All three of these new apartment complexes in this area are by the same developer, DBG Properties. The two similar apartment complexes are open to anyone, without age restrictions.

All three apartment complexes together will represent 636 units of affordable housing built in this area recently.

https://dmdmaps.cabq.gov/DRB/PR-2021-005...CL%20with%20Solid%20Waste%20Notes%20.pdf











Here's a pic from the Atrisco Heritage Academy High School profile page on the Homes.com website which shows the two existing apartment complexes in the background looking to the east just beyond its athletic fields.

https://www.homes.com/school/albuquerque-nm/atrisco-heritage-academy-high-school/208wmc71gjw60/



Here's another apartment project on the Southwest Mesa that's working its way through the city’s approval process. I've known about it for awhile but never got a chance to post about it until now. It went through a major design change as well during that time. Below is its current design. The redesign increased its unit count and size, but made it a bit ungainly and awkward. I liked the original design better. It will have 185 units in two 3-story structures at Sunset Gardens Road and 86th Street SW.

https://dmdmaps.cabq.gov/DRB/PR-2018-001...0DFT%20Site%20Plan%20Submittal%20(1).pdf











Here's a story that KRQE had recently about the Albuquerque Housing Authority's Casitas del Camino project at Central Avenue and 60th Street NW. The city expects the project to get underway in April next year. The story includes a new 3D rendering that we've never seen before.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-me...-get-renovated-and-add-additional-units/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s the latest effort in the Metro to tackle the lack of affordable housing in Bernalillo County; fixing up an already existing affordable housing apartment complex and adding more units. “Housing is of great need and so this provides additional affordable housing for our area,” said Marcos Gonzales, Executive Development Officer for Bernalillo County. “Improves the quality of living, and the quality of standards for folks that are living in the units.”

It will cost $36 million to renovate the 42 units in the complex and add another 46. The property is located in southwest Albuquerque, off Central, near 60th Street. Built in the mid-1970s, the complex has never been renovated during its half-a-century lifespan. The $36 million will go toward putting in new flooring, paint, installing new appliances, and replacing plumbing and lighting fixtures in the existing 42 units. According to the Albuquerque Housing Authority (AHA), about 75% of the combined 88 units will be considered “affordable housing.” The other 25% would be mixed-income.

“From the resident side, everything stays the same,” said Dan Foster, Housing Development Director for AHA. “They still pay 30% of whatever their income is in rent, and then the balance gets picked up by the rental subsidy.”

AHA expects renovations to begin as soon as April of next year and could last about six to eight months. As it stands, developers will renovate vacant units and move tenants who already live on the property into those apartments. With the addition of the new units, developers will now be able to add a leasing office. “We get 88 units there, then it’s a big enough scale that we can afford to have a full-time manager onsite,” Foster added.

Officials hope to begin moving tenants around this time next year.

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque Business First recently had a story about the Sandoval Flats project in Rio Rancho. The story said that it would get underway this month and finish construction in 2027. It also now says that it will have 216 units, which is two less than the 218 units the developer originally stated that it would have.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/...and-for-216-unit-rio-rancho-complex.html

An out-of-state developer purchased land Nov. 13 in Rio Rancho near the intersection of Camino Encantadas NE and Oersted Road NE for a 216-unit housing project.

Construction is expected to begin on Dominium’s Sandoval Flats residential community this month, Mike Voss, Dominium director of communications, said in an email statement.

After originally estimating move-ins would begin in late 2026, Dallas-based Dominium now plans to complete construction of its Sandoval Flats residential community in 2027, according to Voss.

The community will cost $98.7 million to build, Voss said. Todd & Associates Inc. and Pavilion Construction LLC are the project's architect and general contractor, respectively.

Plans for Sandoval Flats include a clubhouse, fitness center, playground and pool with outdoor amenity space, Voss said.

The project will create affordable housing in the Rio Rancho area. Rents will be at or below 60% of the area median income, Voss said.

This is Dominium’s second project in the Albuquerque area. It recently acquired the Villa Hermosa apartment complex at 2600 Americare Court NW for $28.3 million. Dominium will spend $11.5 million renovating the complex.

https://toddassoc.com/project/sandoval-flats/





Here's another apartment project in Rio Rancho that is also supposed to be under construction, according to a post last month by its architect on Facebook. It's called Inca 150 and, as its name implies, it will have 150 units and be located on Inca Road near the intersection of Broadmoor and Northern boulevards in Rio Rancho. It's a market-rate project being developed by the same investment group and has the same architect as the Cibola Loop-area apartments that I recently posted above in this thread.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1155983706533406&set=pb.100063653619048.-2207520000&type=3



https://www.quadjcapital.com/portfolio

https://www.instagram.com/jeromemaldonado1/p/C7FSoDVyszY/



Here's a small apartment project in the town of Bernalillo that was recently completed. It has 15 units and is the first of two phases. It's called The Orchards and is located on U.S. Highway 550 on the northern edge of town between the Rio Grande and I-25 and near the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, which is just across the river.

https://www.apartments.com/the-orchards-bernalillo-nm/338k7ye/















Here are some renderings that the developer has posted to Google showing what the overall project and second, larger phase is supposed to look like. Note that the color scheme has been changed in the final built first phase. This second phase is to have 21 units and would be built on the other side of the laundromat structure.

[ABQalex]

Here are the most recent pics that I can find of the Trailhead at Chamizal apartments in the Los Ranchos Village Center project. I've seen them advertised on apartment listing websites, but I'm not sure if they've opened yet.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7267530568941101057/



https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7276062334538629120/



https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7268064828773015552/



The Allaso Vineyards apartments recently had their grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Below is a story by Albuquerque Business First and pics by HB Construction on its website. The pics include some nice aerial views of the project, so be sure to click the links for those pics in their original size directly beneath the embedded images!

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2024/12/24/titan-development-allaso-vineyards.html

Titan Development held a grand opening ceremony Dec. 19 for its Allaso Vineyards apartment complex.

Located at 8901 Holly Ave NE, Allaso Vineyards is a 111-unit Class A multifamily project with a vineyard-themed design, according to a Titan Development media advisory.

Previous reporting shows that the project was expected to be complete by January 2025.

HB Construction was the general contractor for the project, and Dekker was the architect. Rogers declined to disclose the cost of construction.

Leasing for the units began in October, and 23% of the units are currently leased, Rogers said.

Lease rates for the units start at $1,702, and the complex offers one- and two-bedroom units.

Amenities at the complex include private wine lockers, a winery-inspired lounge, a pool, a spa, a rooftop deck with fire pits and a view of the Sandia Mountains, private wine tastings and events and an indoor and outdoor fitness area, according to its website.

https://hbconstruction.com/allaso-vineyards-ribbon-cutting-marks-milestone/


https://hbconstruction.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HB-Allaso-Vineyards_3.jpg


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https://hbconstruction.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HB-Allaso-Vineyards_2.jpg

[ABQalex]

Downtown Albuquerque News had a story this morning about a proposal by two city councilors that will go before the city council in the new year. The proposal would allow for duplexes and triplexes in single family areas and do away with height limits in certain areas and zones along the ART line and other major corridors in the city. It will also make it harder to appeal project approvals in these areas. The proposal is being backed and crafted by councilors Dan Lewis and Joaquin Baca, who represent the far northern Westside and the central part of the city respectively.

Hopefully that means it will pass, as the city council is fairly evenly divided and usually it takes one of the conservative Democrats from the more suburban Westside or a Republican like Councilor Lewis to join with the more liberal Democratic councilors from the more urban and older parts of the city to get to at least a 5 vote majority or a 6 vote veto-proof majority. That's important, because I just know that the mayor will cave to the NIMBYs and veto something that will surely be controversial like this if it passes.

We shall see if we finally get this done!

https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/

Bill would allow more housing density around city center, make land use appeals harder

City Councilors Joaquín Baca and Dan Lewis have teamed up on new legislation that would put major roadblocks in the way of those challenging development approvals while also legalizing more dense housing arrangements across wide swaths of Greater Downtown and beyond.

The bill would allow for multifamily housing such as duplexes and triplexes - and possibly even larger arrangements - in zones that have for decades been reserved for single-family homes (and, as of last year, casitas). The changes would only apply, however, to properties within a quarter-mile of ART stations and along key "Main Street" corridors like Central, Fourth, and Broadway south of Central. Within those zones, all height limits would also be removed, leaving open the theoretical possibility of tall apartment buildings going up next to significantly shorter and less dense arrangements.

Such a prospect has long been used as an argument against increased housing density of any kind, but it does not bother Baca.

"People forget that we already have a lot of this stuff," he said, pointing to Greater Downtown's vast collection of duplexes, casitas, and even large apartment complexes like the Park Place Condominiums, which sits across the street from single-family homes. (Much of that stock was built before more restrictive zoning was established.)

"At some point, we were allowed to build highrises next to houses," he added. "What I'm proposing, at least for District Two, would have been the norm."

The bill also introduces significant new obstacles for anyone looking to challenge approved developments. Neighborhood associations, which frequently appeal such approvals, would need to gather signatures from a majority of property owners within 660 feet of the proposed project to move forward with an appeal. If they or individual neighbors who appeal end up losing the case, they would be required to pay the "reasonable costs" of that process, including attorneys' fees for the would-be developers.

Baca called that a "reasonable balance" designed to speed up the construction of new housing units.

"We have a massive housing crunch," he said. "We need to be able to help our families."

The proposed hurdles are nevertheless likely to meet with fierce opposition from neighborhood groups, who have long since come to appreciate the automatic standing they now have to file appeals. Many associations are also on record as opposing increased housing density writ large, having argued over the years that it degrades neighborhood character while violating what they frame as an implicit - though unwritten - promise that areas dominated by single-family homes would be allowed to stay that way in perpetuity.

Several appeals have been launched by Greater Downtown neighborhood associations this year alone, though often not in housing development cases. Wells Park, Sawmill, and the Downtown Neighborhoods have successfully halted - at least temporarily - projects ranging from a new service station to an apartment complex. Barelas and Martineztown, by contrast, failed in their efforts to appeal a drive-thru at a forthcoming Dunkin' location and a rehab hospital, respectively.

Another section of the bill would allow the city itself to sidestep rules outlined in Albuquerque’s Integrated Development Ordinance (the main framework for land-use regulations) for projects on land that it owns or leases.

Apart from the controversial subject matter, the legislation is also notable for the political backgrounds of the two sponsors. Baca is a progressive (and former neighborhood association president) who lives in the Downtown core. Lewis, by contrast, is a conservative who lives on the Westside and voted against an attempt earlier this year to allow duplexes in more-or-less the same areas the new bill addresses. The fact that the two of them have found common ground on such legislation may indicate something of a shift in the council's tectonic plates, though the exact contours of that will only start to become clear when the bill comes up for discussion at the January 6 meeting.

For Baca, at least, the new unexpected political partnership is just an example of what local politics should aspire to.

"It's the same thing I said during the campaign," he said. "I'm willing to work with folks to achieve reasonable solutions to the problems we're facing."

[ABQalex]

The DAN story above hints about a project that was defeated in greater Downtown recently. Jay Rembe has withdrawn his building permit application for The George at Country Club Plaza and will not appeal to the city council the Land Use Hearing Officer's recent decision against the project.

All hope is not lost, though! He is reconfiguring the project and planning to resubmit it for approval.

However, the @sshole NIMBYs are still not happy with any building at this site and are still giving him a hard time and making demands. They even fought with him over his request for them to come to his office at Country Club Plaza (literally across the street from their neighborhood and the project site) to view the new and reconfigured plans. They say that their group is mostly elderly and disabled and can't go to his office, that it's an unreasonable request. They also don't trust him.

My God, you'd think he was luring them into an ambush or something. 🙄 NIMBYs are something else!

Below is a link to his request for withdrawal of the building permit and a link to an email conversation that the NIMBYs had with him where they lay out their apprehension, suspicions and demands for respect and accommodation.

https://dmdmaps.cabq.gov/DRB/PR-2022-006...est%20for%20Withdrawal_BP-2024-10295.pdf

https://dmdmaps.cabq.gov/DRB/PR-2022-006844/Email/FW_%20New%20plans.pdf

God, I would love it if this new bill passes and these creeps lost their ability to treat people this way. Jay Rembe and his family are pillars in our community trying to improve and make it better, not jack-booted thugs abusing elderly and disabled residents like the NIMBYs would have you believe.

Country Club Plaza, Town & Ranch, Los Poblanos, Griegos Farms, the Brick Light Courtyards, etc. are incredible features and areas of our city. The Rembes are great stewards and developers of these places. They deserve to be lauded for what they've done for our city, not villainized in such a way because people are upset that less than 30 cars a day will use a street for what it's intended, to access properties.

Because of these NIMBYs we will most likely see a project on this site that is removed from the street and less urban, with a driveway and curb cut directly from Central Avenue, which completely goes against our city's stated desire and plans for Central Avenue to make it urban and walkable.

Instead, we could've had this, if only our city leaders and those in charge had a backbone and stopped catering to these people at the detriment to our overall city's wellbeing.

[ABQalex]

The DAN story above also mentioned two projects that were able to overcome NIMBY opposition in greater Downtown recently, one of which is the rehabilitation hospital at Mountain Road and I-25. The developer applied for its building permit on Monday. The application states that it will have 48 beds and 52,381 sq ft of space in a three-story structure.

https://posse.cabq.gov/posse/pub/lms/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Public&PosseObjectId=217157956







Here's a nice pic of Downtown Albuquerque with I-25 in the foreground and looking down Lomas Boulevard from just south of the hospital site that was posted to the Homes.com website earlier this year. You can see all the other rehabilitation hospitals and medical uses in this area in the foreground as well, with Lovelace Medical Center and the Heart Hospital of New Mexico along the left side of the pic. It just shows how ridiculous the opposition to this project was. It fits completely with the existing uses in this area along I-25 east of Downtown Albuquerque.

https://www.homes.com/local-guide/albuquerque-nm/westside-neighborhood/

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque Business First has a story about 500 Marquette, which looks at the building’s new and renovated spaces, amenities and increased occupancy. The story also mentions the building’s literal 'crowning achievement' which is luring FBT Architects to its formerly empty penthouse level. They say that they should be moved into their new space by the new year.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/...xecutive-revitalized-downtown-tower.html

When Argus Investment Realty Owner and President Scott Throckmorton led a group of investors to purchase one of Albuquerque’s tallest buildings, over half its space was vacant.

As the managing member of Argus 500 Marquette LLC, a friends-and-family investment group, Throckmorton and the group purchased the office building at 500 Marquette Ave. NW in December of 2021, when the building was 58% vacant, he said.

Throckmorton’s interest in the building came from his experience handling its leasing as a young broker in the early '90s. So, when an opportunity to buy it arose nearly three decades later, he was eager to do so.

“I just always liked the building, so when it became available, I said, ‘I’m going to buy it. I’m going to own it,” Throckmorton said. “[I had] deep familiarity with it. I’d been doing leasing in it for years and years and years. I just wanted it to be a part of our portfolio because it’s such an iconic, class-A office building in New Mexico. Those are very rare and few and far between.”

But the building, which once housed the membership-only Albuquerque Petroleum Club, had become a sleepy shell of itself since Throckmorton handled its leasing in the early '90s.

“[It] was keeping me up at night,” Throckmorton said. “[It] had my attention as like ‘I’ve got a mountain to climb here.’”

With the responsibility of handling the day-to-day decisions of the group’s investment as its managing member, Throckmorton sparked the marquee building’s renaissance with increased security measures, new amenities and a reinvigorated effort to find tenants.

Throckmorton secured the entrance and exit to the building’s parking deck with a rapid gate, which sits behind a traditional wooden arm gate and lifts up when an authorized user swipes their card.

He also had security cameras put at all points of ingress and egress and spends almost $500,000 annually on 24/7 private, year-round security between this and another Downtown building.

“Anyone that wishes to cause trouble knows by now that they should go somewhere else,” Throckmorton said. “We’re probably the two safest projects in all of Albuquerque compared to other smaller buildings that can’t afford to do what we do.”

Inside the building, Throckmorton is improving or already has improved the space to keep customers comfortable by adding a building automation system, a café and modernized elevators.

The approximately $500,000 building automation system enables Asset Management Solutions LLC Director Norm Ullemeyer to control and monitor each zone of the building’s temperature from anywhere. It also informs Ullemeyer if heating and cooling systems need repair.

Asset Management Solutions LLC is a division of Argus Investment Realty and manages the 500 Marquette office tower.

And the new destination-platform elevators, which cumulatively cost about $2.5 million, are faster and much more energy efficient than normal elevators thanks to their advanced software, Throckmorton said.

After these additions, Throckmorton also plans to enhance the building’s interior by adding a fitness center and lounge.

“It’s just part of trying to keep the customers comfortable,” Throckmorton said. “It’s a customer service business.”

The investment group’s over $11-million investment into the building’s improvement has helped Argus Investment Realty, which handles the building’s leasing, attract several noteworthy tenants Downtown. The building saw its largest increase in occupancy in 2024, Throckmorton said.

The class A office space’s close proximity to three major courthouses makes it an attractive option for attorneys, Throckmorton said. Robles, Rael and Anaya and the Miller Stratvert law offices are currently in the 500 Marquette office tower.

Other big-name tenants include Senator Ben Ray Luján, a TSA admin office, Luxembourg-based Regus, Madrid-based Exus Renewables and the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department, which relocated from Santa Fe after realizing most of its employees were commuting from Albuquerque, Throckmorton said.

The building is now 83% occupied, Throckmorton said. That’s almost double its occupancy since Throckmorton and Argus 500 Marquette LLC acquired it just three years ago.

Perhaps the crowning tenant acquisition, though, was FBT Architects.

Listed as 2023’s second-largest architectural firm in Albuquerque, Throckmorton took the lead in enticing the architect giant to move from its Uptown offices to his Downtown tower.

Initially wary of the move, FBT Architects President Art Tatum and the firm decided to leave Uptown after Throckmorton hosted a late afternoon party for them in the former Petroleum Club space on the building's top floor, which overlooks the city and offers panoramic views of the Sandia Mountains.

FBT Architects plans to move into its 17,500-square-foot top-floor office space between Christmas and New Year’s.

“The tenant improvement design by FBT Architects is world class,” Throckmorton said. “I think it’s going to be the most impressive office space in the entire city.”

After dramatically increasing the building’s occupancy, Throckmorton said he and his investor group are “up near the top” of the mountain that they sought to summit when they initially acquired the building.

His goal to ensure they stay atop that mountain is to get the building greater than or equal to 90% leased in 2025.

"We’re excited about the project overall," Throckmorton said. "Right now, we’re doing pretty well, [but] we have high hopes.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/500_Marquette

[ABQalex]

Here are some nice aerial pics of the south side of Downtown Albuquerque from a couple of real estate listings for a condo and commercial space in the area. The first link with the condo at 100 Gold has quite a bit more nice pics of Downtown and views from its balcony as well, so be sure to check it out!

(Click the links directly below the embedded images to see them full size)

https://www.homes.com/property/100-gold-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-unit-307/tgtydqkxynl7g/


https://images.homes.com/listings/116/57...ld-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-unit-307-66.jpg


https://images.homes.com/listings/116/31...ld-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-unit-307-67.jpg


https://images.homes.com/listings/116/66...ld-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-unit-307-72.jpg


https://images.homes.com/listings/116/34...ld-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-unit-307-63.jpg


https://images.homes.com/listings/116/38...ld-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-unit-307-64.jpg


https://images.homes.com/listings/116/09...ld-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-unit-307-68.jpg

https://www.crexi.com/properties/1647810/new-mexico-211-gold-ave


https://images.crexi.com/assets/1647810/5cf9e231679d4bb988da6f5040a91ee6_3000x2000_resize.jpg


https://images.crexi.com/assets/1647810/ba0c9b26682d497c81060143dc6f2334_3000x2000_resize.jpg


https://images.crexi.com/assets/1647810/72e5d85c056f4b96b1082519eebdc297_3000x2000_resize.jpg

Here's another nice aerial pic of the south side of Downtown looking towards Barelas and showing the Zocalo Lofts project at 4th and Coal. It's from a listing for the nice old house in the center of the foreground view. The listing is no longer active but I saved this pic when it was still visible and thought I'd share it as well.

https://www.homes.com/property/415-coal-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm/ws7nlx95fcvcg/


https://images.homes.com/listings/116/2918973093-250660081/415-coal-ave-sw-albuquerque-nm-43.jpg

[ABQalex]

KRQE has a story about the upcoming rebuild of I-25 just south of Downtown Albuquerque to deal with the problematic S-curve that currently exists. The state recently narrowed down the options for its future alignment to flatten the curve. They chose options that would more or less stay within the existing right of way and avoid tearing down homes and historic structures with the other options.

They also were considering a no-build option to appease those who are opposed to rebuilding, straightening and widening the freeway in this area at all. But they've now rejected that idea. Of course, these people aren't happy with that at all.

The deadline for submitting public comments on the project is coming up soon as well.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-me...o-submit-opinions-on-i-25-s-curve-plans/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Department of Transportation is moving closer toward big plans to revamp one of the oldest and busiest I-25 interchanges in Albuquerque and the latest ideas to fix the “S-Curve” are getting pushback from some residents. NMDOT considers the stretch of road known as the “S-Curve” to be one of the “biggest transportation safety issues” in Albuquerque. At a public meeting earlier this month, they shared two plans to redesign the interchange to make it safer and wider, despite some residents demanding no-changes be made.

“We have heard from the public that they would like us to consider a no-build alternative in the last comment period. We’ve done additional data analysis on this and we know that it does not solve the problems that we see on I-25 in this area,” said Summer Herrera, NMDOT Project Development Engineer.

The state’s data analysis suggests if they made no changes, the 173 yearly crash average could go up to nearly 300 crashes by 2050. “If nothing is done to change the configuration of the freeway and the ramps, we do expect to see substantial increases in travel times to and from destinations. We expect to see substantial increases in commute times,” said Mark Worrall, Consultant Project Manager.

The “J” and “L” plans being considered would not affect nearby homes, but some neighbors said they still want a no-build option. “And we should be upgrading and upkeeping the infrastructure that we have, improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure instead of expanding the highways. It’s good to see you’re going with no residential relocations but it’s very undemocratic to write off no-build when you admit that the public supports it,” said a nearby resident.

“We’re not opposed to upgrades for pedestrian and bicycle safety…However, we’re really firmly against expanding the footprint and expanding the lanes both on frontage roads and the highway,” said a Huning Highlands resident.

NMDOT hopes to identify a recommendation by early next year, but they don’t know when a final design or construction would start, because the project isn’t fully funded yet. Time is running out to share your thoughts on the project. There is a survey open until next Monday.

This was all just a ridiculous exercise and riled up people for no good reason, IMO. There's no way that the state was going to bulldoze homes for this project. This isn't the 1950s anymore. And anybody can see that there's plenty of room not to have to do that anyway. I don't even know why they included that as an option.

The only structure that I was even the least bit worried about losing is the old Lincoln Junior High School structure, but even then I knew they wouldn't tear down or threaten an APS facility, especially a historic one. The metal warehouse, etc. that sit atop the hill may be lost, but I doubt anybody really cares about saving those structures, and they are easily replaced. And we may get a better view of the historic school with them gone!

Not rebuilding and fixing the issues in this area was also a ridiculous option and exercise in appeasement that has now only served to legitimize and embolden these people who are against the project. I wouldn't be surprised to see them chaining themselves to bulldozers and rallying on the freeway to stop construction whenever this does get underway.

[ABQalex]

The state is also currently rebuilding I-25 between Comanche and Montaño/Montgomery in the Northeast Heights. The $278 million project got underway back in August and is expected to be completed in spring 2027. It includes widening the freeway, improving the frontage roads and adding braided ramps, rebuilding the two interchanges and adding new features like "advanced u-turns" and bicycle and pedestrian improvements. It will also include building new bridges for I-25 over Comanche Road and the North Diversion Channel, and for Montaño/Montgomery over I-25.

https://www.i25improved.com/improvements







Here's an aerial pic of the project area when it first got underway back in August. You can see the demolition of the outer portions of the I-25 bridges over Comanche Road. It was taken during a balloon ride and posted by a pilot for Rainbow Ryders on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=8541330759224288&set=pb.100000423456416.-2207520000&type=3



Here are some pics of the construction of the new I-25 bridges over Comanche Road that were posted a few days ago by the New Mexico Department of Transportation on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/newmexicodot/p/DEGFemvTrC4/









And here are a few renderings and pics of the new bridge columns, piers and abutments. You can see some of the decorative designs that they will feature. They were posted by the designer earlier this month and back in September on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_1MnyHz-JX/











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







As a bonus, here are a couple of nice aerial pics of the Big I that the Rainbow Ryders pilot also posted on his Facebook account this past weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=9374064315950924&set=pb.100000423456416.-2207520000&type=3



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=9363939500296739&set=pb.100000423456416.-2207520000&type=3

[ABQalex]

Here's a neat short drone video flying over Central Avenue through Downtown Albuquerque for a Sunday cruise. It was posted Sunday on Instagram and reposted yesterday by the downtown.abq Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/dronenuel/reel/DEMoA8JRxNl/



The creator of the video above in his post highlighted the city’s recent creation of a designated cruising hangout spot on the parking lots on the north side of Central between 6th and 7th streets. Below are a few pics of the space, including one by the mayor announcing it, which were also recently posted on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCh-dKVSqDH/



https://www.instagram.com/p/DCcygXAyLQ1/



https://www.instagram.com/p/DC1wpSQODp1/











Downtown Albuquerque News recently had more information about the new On the Route restaurant at 4th and Central in the former Brixens space. They confirmed that the owner of Damacio's Bar & Tapas is behind the new restaurant in a partnership with the couple who are running the operation. The story says that they are waiting for a liquor license and serving mocktails in the meantime. They will also be adding dinner and service later into the night. They are planning a grand opening in February. The story included a pic of their carne adovada quesadilla.

https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/

New restaurant fills prominent Downtown core vacancy at historic Route 66 crossroads

On the Route, a new restaurant specializing in New Mexican and Mexican food, has opened at the former Brixens (Central and Fourth), filling one of the Downtown core's most prominent vacancies.

The new venture is a project of Osiris Vela and Brian Rodriguez, a couple who bring both a love of food and deep cultural connections to the table: "Both of us were raised by Mexican moms here in New Mexico, and the flavors just collide beautifully on the plate," Vela said.

The menu offers dishes that are either Mexican, New Mexican, or some combination of the two. The green chile chicken enchiladas are one example of the fusion side: The green chile is quintessentially New Mexican, while the preparation of the meat in a stew nods to Mexican culinary techniques.

Other offerings include tacos, burritos, and huevos rancheros, with menudo and mole coming soon. While awaiting a liquor license, the restaurant is offering a selection of mocktails and aguas frescas.

The former Brixens was a well-regarded restaurant that shuttered during the pandemic.

"They set us up pretty well," Vela said. "We have a lot to work with when it comes to the aesthetics of the place. I just hope we can be as popular as Brixens was."

The name "On the Route" is a nod to Route 66, and the location at Fourth and Central is a unique point of interest on the historic route. Originally, the Mother Road ran north-south along Fourth Street, but a 1930s-era realignment shifted it to an east-west run on Central, making the intersection the only place in the country where Route 66 crosses itself.

Currently in a soft-opening phase, On the Route is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves breakfast and lunch. It is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays (Christmas week hours are here). The plan is to add dinner and night service at a later date. A grand opening is planned for February.

Before launching On the Route, Vela and Rodriguez ran Doña O's, a vegan pop-up and catering business. Vegan options will carry over as part of On the Route's menu.

Vela and Rodriguez are partners in the venture with Gerald Zamora, the owner of Damacio’s Bar and Tapas (Central and Eighth), who had leased the space for two years and used it for occasional events.

Here are some more nice pics of Downtown Albuquerque from a real estate listing for a condo that was just posted yesterday. The pics focus on the Banque Lofts structure where the listing is located, and include a few nice aerial views with other parts of Downtown and areas beyond visible in the background.

(Click the links immediately below the embedded images to see them full size)

https://www.bexrealty.com/New-Mexico/Albuquerque/219-Central-Ave-Nw-609/condominium/


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-29.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-28.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-16.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-17.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-24.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-25.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-26.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-27.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-33.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-34.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-32.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-31.jpg


https://images-prd.bexrealty.com/New-Mex...ve-Nw-609/1075773-248-condominium-30.jpg

Here's a historic pic showing the back of the old First National Bank building in the mid-1930s before the Hilton/Hotel Andaluz structure was built. I thought I'd post it as it shows the same sides as the aerial pic above to show the changes that have been made to the structure ever since it was converted to mostly residential use.

[ABQalex]

Here are some nice pics of the Imperial Motel and its sign that have been posted on LinkedIn and Instagram recently.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7269742482727264257/





https://www.instagram.com/p/DD8skp0x08R/



https://www.instagram.com/mi__vida__loca__/p/DEIC97zpGFX/?img_index=1



The owners and operators of Holy Cow Burger in East Downtown have reopened the space under a different name and concept. They had closed the original restaurant earlier this month. Taco Santo Tacos & Tequila officially opened to the public last week.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DED4rJ0v2rO/

[ABQalex]

The first two pics of the Imperial Motel in the above post are part of a set and series of posts by a London-based travel marketing agency which visited Albuquerque and New Mexico recently. They also visited Los Poblanos, Old Town and the Sawmill Area as part of their visit here. Below are more of their pics that they posted from their visit to the city and these places.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7270818278313181184/





































The Bernalillo County Commission never did hear or hold a vote on Jim Long's request for industrial revenue bonds for his Sawmill District projects at their meeting earlier this month.

I hope it's just a normal delay and it won't be a replay of last time where it's never heard and considered in a timely manner. All of the commissioners seem to be in favor of the bonds and projects, but something behind the scenes seems to be holding it up now and back two years ago.

Their next meeting is January 14th and I'll be looking to see whether it's on the agenda when it gets posted online, closer to that date.

https://bernalillocountynm.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx



Here are a few pics of the construction of the Sawmill portion of the Rail Trail that were jointly posted at the beginning of the month by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency and the Rail Trail account on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDKwY14JNvf/