Albuquerque Development Thread

[ABQalex]

Here's another pic of the Senary by Allaso project in North I-25 with a great aerial view. It's from a story by Albuquerque Business First yesterday. You can also spot the Marriott Pyramid North hotel in the background.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...he-senary.html



Here's a pic of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first completed structure at the project. It was posted by Titan Development on their LinkedIn account earlier this week.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...7259436179458/

[ABQalex]

It looks like Target will indeed be the anchor tenant for Lobo Crossing. Albuquerque Business First has a story about the approval by the Environmental Planning Commission at its meeting today of the plans for the development.

A Target spokesperson wouldn't confirm the specific plans but did say that they are pursuing new locations in Albuquerque. There are of course also plans for another new store on the Westside at Coors and St. Joseph's where renderings and plans for the store have been filed with the city already as well.

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

A national general merchandise and food store plans to open a location in a massive retail development on the University of New Mexico’s South Campus Tax Increment Development District.

Target plans to occupy a space in the approximately 350,000-square-foot Lobo Crossing Shopping Center, Environmental Planning Commission documents show. This Target would have a grocery store, too.

The EPC recommended approval of a zoning map amendment by a 5-1 vote to the City Council for the about 35-acre Lobo Crossing Shopping Center development in its Oct. 16 meeting. District 2 Commissioner Adrian Carver was the only commissioner that voted against the recommendation.

UNM requested the zoning map amendment so that the land will be properly zoned for the shopping center development upon selling the land to the center’s developer, Phoenix-based SimonCRE, EPC documents show.

The UNM Board of Regents June 30 approved the conveyance of the land for $11.75 million to SimonCRE to build the open-air retail center, previous Albuquerque Business First reporting shows.

The sale closing is contingent upon SimonCRE securing the anchor tenant for the development, Lobo Development Corporation Chief Operations Officer Tom Neale said during a June 30 UNM Board of Regents meeting.

Target would presumably be the anchor tenant at the Lobo Crossing Shopping Center, given that in the June 30 meeting, Neale said, “the anchor is a large, national credit, food and general merchandise retailer.”

Target provided Albuquerque Business First with the following statement regarding its activity at the Lobo Crossing Shopping Center.

"At Target, we continuously explore possible locations for new stores. I can tell you we are pursuing the opportunity to reach new guests in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area, but at this time, we're not at a point where we can share any new store plans."

Later in the June 30 meeting, Neale went on to say that the anchor tenant would occupy about 130,000 square feet of the center.

Eleven junior tenants will join the anchor tenant, Neale said.

Construction on the shopping center is expected to begin in early 2026, according to prior Albuquerque Business First reporting.

Lobo Crossing Shopping Center is expected to be the single largest revenue generator within the South Campus TIDD upon completion, previous Albuquerque Business First reporting shows.

The UNM South Campus TIDD was approved in April 2023 and encompasses 340 acres, Albuquerque Business First reporting indicates.

It was created to fund critical public infrastructure and foster economic development in the area by developing generally empty land owned by UNM or the city of Albuquerque, according to prior Albuquerque Business First reporting.

The TIDD agreement allocates refunds from gross receipts or property taxes back to UNM to reimburse the university for infrastructure projects on said land, previous Albuquerque Business First reporting shows.

I haven't had a chance to go over the supporting documents for today's EPC meeting and the Lobo Crossing submittal but I'm gonna look them over as soon as I can and will post anything interesting that I find in the submittal. Below is the link to the staff report for the submittal.

https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/...us_Council.pdf

[ABQalex]

I've had a chance to skim through the Environmental Planning Commission staff report for the Lobo Crossing zoning amendment request. I didn't find any interesting renderings or site plans showing Target as the anchor tenant specifically. The only mention of Target as the anchor comes at the very end of the report where they have the summary of a neighborhood meeting held last month where they presented the project.

They do explicitly name Target as the anchor tenant of the project while also noting several business types that the neighborhood desires and also a few which they do not want to see developed as part of the center.

The neighbors also mention the former Brian Urlacher sports bar that was planned previously in the area. However, it's stated by the developer’s representatives that another sports bar will be included in the development but it will not be affiliated with the former Lobos football star.

[ABQalex]

The Albuquerque Development Commission at its meeting today approved the redevelopment tax abatements for the apartment project at 4th Street and La Plata Road NW.

https://www.cabq.gov/mra/documents/a...6-25-draft.pdf

I was surprised to see that the supporting documents for the project and meeting were actually added since yesterday to the ADC's page on the city’s website like was always done up until a few months ago.

https://www.cabq.gov/mra/albuquerque...ent-commission

Hopefully this will be a permanent change back to the previous way of doing things, instead of having them be accessed through a portal and only added and available sometimes months after the meeting took place.

Below are renderings, layouts, site plans and info from the supporting documents for the project.

https://www.cabq.gov/mra/documents/c...h-la-plata.pdf













As you can see, it's gonna end up being a 2-story project with no commercial space. The commercial glazing on the south side of the structure is apparently just the office/property management space for the apartments.

The developer isn't Michael Dreskin but it does look like it's a team made up of people who have worked on his projects previously. The team includes the architect Scott Anderson, who has designed most, if not all, of those projects. It also includes Jose Rodriguez, who is the builder of Michael Dreskin's most-recent project, Poblana Place. The development team also includes a woman named Shastyn Blomquist who spoke about the project before the ADC.

She stated at the meeting that they decided to only build two stories to accommodate the neighborhood's wishes even though zoning would allow for up to three stories. She also said they didn't want to have commercial space because it's across the street from a major shopping center to the northwest and other commercial areas nearby and would act as a buffer and transition to the neighborhood east of 4th Street.

Scott Anderson also spoke at the meeting and said that the project is already under construction and has fully-approved building permits. That was in an effort to clarify one of the conditions of approval.

The staff report and submittal included pics showing the early site work that is going on for the project.

[ABQalex]

The building permit for the conversion and redevelopment of the former office building at 300 San Mateo NE was issued yesterday. The story by KRQE below says that work is expected to get underway before the end of the year to transform it into the Serenade at Park Central with 110 residential units. The story also mentions the plans for the taller tower next door which they say will get underway once residents begin moving into the shorter tower.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...ilding-permit/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A future apartment complex just got the green light for redevelopment at the towers on San Mateo Boulevard and Central Ave., which is a big step in the city’s ongoing effort to address housing shortages.

The building permit was approved for 110 new apartments in one of the long-vacant office towers on Central and San Mateo. 41 of which will be affordable housing. The complex will be called Serenade at Park Central.

“This is huge,” Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Director Terry Brunner said. “This is the redevelopment of two vacant properties, two high rises that everybody is real familiar with. They’re gonna start with the smaller of the two and will provide housing options for people in that part of Albuquerque.”

The design was completed last summer, and now the contractor will be beginning the work in the next couple of months. The complex will have studio and one-bedroom apartments with modern amenities such as a fitness center, outdoor pool, and shared community spaces.

The former state office building has been vacant for multiple years and has fallen victim to multiple vandalisms and fires.

Houston-based developer Silverstone Equity Partners is excited to turn the long-vacant 10-story building into a beautiful apartment complex to house over 100 people. “It’s part of a series of redevelopments that we’re seeing in the San Mateo Central area,” Brunner said. “We’ve had some townhomes built there, some affordable housing. So we hope this means there’s a resurgence of activity over at San Mateo and Central.”

The city and developer are excited about the location in the Near Heights Metropolitan Redevelopment Area, stating the complex is along a major transit corridor and will be the perfect place for seniors, students, workers, and residents across income levels. “They want this to be an apartment complex that nurses at UNM can live at, or students at UNM, and people who are commuters that will use that rapid transit line,” Brunner said.

The city invested $2 million in the project, and the developer paid the remaining $21 million. The redevelopment tax abatement is valued at $750,000.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, and it should be completed and ready for move-in by fall 2027. The taller tower is still in an early phase of development and will begin once people are moved into the smaller building.

Here's a screenshot that I made of the building permit that has now been issued.



I'm planning to do a FOIA request for the building permit documents to see what the final design plans for the exterior renovation ended up being. I'm hoping they stuck with the balconies, etc., which the story above sort of insinuates when they say that the "design was completed last summer"

[ABQalex]

KRQE has a story about the city issuing a request for proposals for an empty lot along Yale Boulevard SE near the University of New Mexico that was formerly home to a commercial structure that burned down a couple of years ago and has been a problem property ever since.

The story says that they are open to anything but they hope to attract a residential or mixed-use development. They point to the nearby El Parador apartments further up Yale as an example of what they'd like to continue to see in the area.

Proposals are due by December 5th.

https://www.cabq.gov/mra/request-for...-2025-306-yale

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...of-new-mexico/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –A prime spot next to a university-area grocery store has sat idle for years—but now, the City of Albuquerque is calling on developers to bring new life to the space.

The city is keeping its request for proposals fairly open. The only requirement? Whatever gets built must benefit the community near Lead Ave. and Yale Boulevard.

It’s where a former Family Dollar burned down two years ago. The City of Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency is now in charge of seeking ideas for what comes next. “I think we’re looking for maybe some housing, town homes, or apartments with a mix, potentially, some retail, like a small coffee shop. We want to increase the walkability,” said MRA Director Terry Brunner.

The city is now soliciting developers to submit ideas—options that could include new housing, something that spruces up the neighborhood, or a project that supports nearby businesses. “Smith’s grocery store, that’s next door, is really important to the neighborhood, and if we can get rid of vacant lots, it makes for a much more pleasant trip over to the grocery store,” Brunner said.

Brunner emphasized that it’s a prime location, and whichever developer submits the winning idea will receive the property for free. “There’s a lot of value in that property. You have a lot of UNM students living in the area and CNM students as well, and you’re between two thoroughfares at Coal and Lead.”

The city will be accepting applications for the next seven weeks, with proposals being evaluated based on community benefit. Several factors are considered; Brunner listed a couple of examples. “Are they incorporating solar in it? Do they have bike racks? Do they have a mural on the side of the building? Is it something that’s pleasant for the neighbors?”

With momentum from a newer, nearby apartment complex, Brunner said the area could easily support more housing development. “People want a diversity of housing products, they want single-family, they want apartments, they want affordable, they want market…There’s all sorts of… The more you’re able to kind of mix it up, I think it helps with the vibrancy of the neighborhood.”

The city is taking applications for the half-acre site until December 5. The winning proposal will ultimately need approval from the Albuquerque City Council.

The Albuquerque Police Department said the activity at the vacant lot has generated 14 calls for various situations since October of last year.

[ABQalex]

The Valencia County News-Bulletin has a story about a new mixed-use development in Belen that will bring 324 apartments and 13,000 sq ft of commercial space to a plot along I-25. The apartments will have amenities like a clubhouse and pool. The commercial component will have outdoor patio space as well. The entire development will also feature outdoor spaces such as walking paths and a landscaped ponding area.

https://www.news-bulletin.com/news/3...8fec0374f.html

The Belen City Council approved a Planned Area District last Monday after Modulus Architects & Land Use Planning and Sleeping Indian Ranch, LLC presented their plan. According to the ordinance, which was approved unanimously, a PAD is a mix of residential, retail and services and open space development.

The new development is planned to be built off the frontage road west of Interstate 25, south of Camino del Llano and south of Sunrise Bluffs subdivision. According to the application for a PAD, the developers, who are the family of the late Dr. Roland Sanchez, plan to build six buildings that include 24 units each, and five other buildings with 36 units each.

The plan is to include a community clubhouse and event space that will have a swimming pool and hot tub, bathroom and showers, cabanas and fire pits and barbecue area. The usable open space will include walking paths, seating areas and a landscaped ponding area.

The plan for the commercial space is a total of 13,000 square feet, an outdoor patio and 76 parking spaces.

Angela Piarowski, with Modulus Architects & Land Use Planning, told the council during last week’s meeting that the proposed planned community accommodates 350 residents, open space and more.

“The architectural rendering brings a true sense of place, with a street-facing courtyard,” Piarowski said. “We will have grading and a drainage plan, and it’s a responsible site design. We will ensure all infrastructure needs will be met.”

She said the commercial space will be for retail and dining, providing for residents of the new complex as well as the entire city.

“I have a nice home, but I want to live here,” joked Councilor Rudy Espinoza. “I’m grateful you chose our community. I’m just so proud of you.”

Elia Sanchez, the widow of Dr. Sanchez and with Sleeping Indian Ranch, LLC, said she was thankful to the city for working with them to “make sure we have a cohesive plan that works for all of us in the long term.”

Piarowski said while they don’t have a cost estimate the apartments would run for, she did say they would offer them at “a lower price point than the market rate.”

While no one opposed the planned development, there were some concerns from the residents at Sunrise Bluff, including the condition of the frontage road.

Steven Tomita, the city’s development services director, said the New Mexico Department of Transportation is currently doing traffic studies to determine if there has to be changes to accommodate the road.

He told the council they have had meetings with NMDOT, and there isn’t a plan to widen the road at this point in time.

Sunrise Bluff resident Tammy Pfaff said she too was concerned about the frontage road, and wondered how busy it will be once it’s fully developed.

“I think this is wonderful for the community,” Pfaff said. “We have to make sure we are providing the infrastructure to stay and thrive.”

John Adams, another Sunrise Bluffs’ resident, said his biggest concern is the frontage road currently only has two stop signs, and there are many drivers who don’t stop.

“During the whole development process, what’s going to happen at the entrance?” Adams asked. “Could there be LED stop signs? Could there be a light?

“It’s going to be very difficult to get out onto the frontage road when it’s fully developed with 400-500 new people living in the area.”

Tomita explained the PAD ordinance is the beginning of the process, and the developers will have to come back for approval of a subdivision ordinance, including design and signage.

“I’m very impressed with the presentation,” said Councilor Steve Holdman. “It brings to mind that nothing happens overnight. If you look toward the future, great things can happen I think it’s a great step forward.”

Councilor Frank Ortega thanked Sanchez for “reinvesting in the city of Belen.

“A project like this is going to bring in GRT, more shopping and more business,” Ortega said. “Without that, we can’t plan for equipment for the fire and police departments ... I’m so proud of you Mrs. Sanchez. You’re willing to invest your money into the city of Belen with this wonderful project.”

Belen Mayor Robert Noblin said he too is grateful for this opportunity for the Hub City.

“I personally have not, in my is years on the council and mayor, seen a more complete plan — from ponding, commercial and what would be a benefit,” Noblin said. “The community come out to support something great for our community. A lot of people complain ‘Not in my back yard,’ but I thank you for your patience. It’s important that the Sanchez family (be recognized) for a generous investment in our town. You didn’t have to do it. It’s a new chapter for our town.”

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque has been ranked as the 9th-best large city for economic growth in the country.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...onomic-growth/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In a recent report, Albuquerque ranked ninth in the nation amongst other major cities with a population of half a million or larger for economic growth. “It’s really a nice thing to hear that we’re 9th in the country,” owner of Lindy’s Diner Steve Vatoseow said. “It’s surprising, I didn’t realize that, but I can believe it.”

City economic leaders say they believe the uptick in economic growth is due to job creation and an increase in small businesses. The city’s economic development department says there has been a 150% increase over the last five years in business applications.

“We see a good number of new businesses that are locating here,” Director of Economic Development Max Gruner said. “Because they fulfill some of the supply chain needs of these larger enterprises. We’re also seeing a lot of our established smaller/medium-sized businesses expanding.”

The study was measured by median income levels, which were reported as a 30% growth in the past four years, and business applications. The city also cites large contributions towards the economic growth from our universities and big companies setting up shop here, such as Netflix Studios and Pacific Fusion.

“Albuquerque is the economic driver of the state,” Gruner said. “We have the International Airport, we have the highway intersections, we have the workforce, we have the universities.”

Gruner also said one of the city’s programs, Job Training Albuquerque, has contributed to a rise in income. Saying it’s served over 3,500 workers and increased wages by 25% alone.

“We work with small and medium-sized businesses to give workers the ability to upskill in a way that is relevant and free to them and the businesses,” Gruner said. “This is a collaboration between the community college and the city. It’s allowing people the opportunity to upskill in ways that are both aligned with their vision of who they want to be and the future, and the needs of the business and industry.”

The city says it provides grants and loans to incentivize small businesses to locate and expand here. As well as revitalize certain neighborhoods.

One local business owner just opened her doors last month in Old Town. She says two other businesses opened their doors within a few months of her opening, and together she has seen a huge revitalization of Old Town.

“There’s a lot of new ideas and fresh ideas coming to Old Town,” Clay+Coda/The Sagrada Creative Director Kimberli Roth said. “Of course, I’m excited about mine, but it’s just a small piece of a larger movement happening in Old Town. We’re seeing younger people come shopping, people coming from out of town.”

Empire Board Game Library has been in Nob Hill for over ten years. They say they’ve seen a huge change in occupancy in the neighborhood.

“Not only have places been occupied that were left empty a few years ago,” Trevor Moss said with the Empire Board Game Library. “But there are places that were empty when we moved in and were empty for years that are now excellent businesses.”

Other business owners believe a large part of the increase in businesses opening is that more and more people are moving here.

“A lot of new people are moving to Albuquerque because they realize the potential, the beauty, and it’s causing more activity as far as businesses opening,” Vatoseow said. “A lot of them have had dreams to open up businesses all along, and it seems like the right time, with the influx of people and the potential to be their own boss.”

Here's a quote with more information on the ranking from the city’s website. It details what figures were evaluated for the ranking, including GDP, employment and earnings growth since 2019. They say GDP along with earnings grew by 30 percent in that time.

https://www.cabq.gov/economicdevelop...nomic-growth-1

ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque has been named one of the nation’s top 10 large cities for economic growth in a new report from Coworking Cafe. The study ranked Albuquerque 9th nationally, highlighting the city’s strength, diverse economy, and growing prosperity.

From 2019 to 2023, Albuquerque earned 53.4 points in a nationwide analysis of GDP, employment, earnings, housing, trade, and infrastructure, ranking it among the top large U.S. cities. In just four years, the city’s GDP and median earnings each climbed 30%. Ongoing investments in infrastructure, housing, and workforce development continue to fuel that growth.

Programs like Job Training Albuquerque (JTA) and the Small Business Office (SBO) directly contribute to that success. Since 2020, JTA has trained more than 3,500 workers, boosting wages by an average of 25%. The SBO has also supported 1,861 businesses and coached 402 entrepreneurs since July 2023.

“Albuquerque’s ranking shows that the city’s strategy to invest in residents is paying off,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We are building a city that works for everyone.”

“Albuquerque is the economy of opportunity,” said Economic Development Director Max Gruner. “Here, people don’t just live; they build, grow, and thrive.”

Albuquerque ranked alongside other leading metros including Austin, Sacramento, Jacksonville, Phoenix, and Fort Worth.

[ABQalex]

Here are some awesome pics of the new Lebanon & Beyond garden that was recently completed at the ABQ BioPark. It includes the "orangery" addition that was made to the existing Mediterranean Conservatory structure. The pics were taken by Mattophoto and posted by SDV Construction today on their LinkedIn account.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...7245502787584/

























Here's a story by KRQE about the project when it opened at the beginning of the month.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...t-abq-biopark/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — A new exhibit at the ABQ BioPark is bringing a Mediterranean twist to the New Mexico desert. Officials with the project say “Lebanon and Beyond” features flora and fauna of the region, like succulents and cedar trees.

The space also features stone terraces with water features, reminiscent of Lebanon’s architecture. Designers also expanded the Mediterranean conservatory to house special plants for the exhibit and created a special space for educational events.

[ABQalex]

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first section of the Rail Trail in the Sawmill Area will be held this weekend. Below is a post today by the city's Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency on LinkedIn with more information about the event.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...4362906091520/



Here are a couple of pics of the project and both of the metal archways that stand at each end of this segment of the Rail Trail. They were posted recently by the MRA and the director of the MRA on their LinkedIn accounts.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...2256396677120/



https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...1349542404096/



The roundabout at 19th Street and Mountain Road was also completed earlier this month and is already open to traffic. Below is a story with pic from KRQE. They say that the city plans to install a piece of public art on the pedestal in the middle of the roundabout.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...near-old-town/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Mountain Road near Old Town in Albuquerque is back open with a new look.

The City of Albuquerque installed a new roundabout at Mountain Road and 19th Street to improve traffic safety for pedestrians in the area. Construction lasted about five months, and the $1.3 million roundabout replaced an outdated traffic signal.

The city said it plans to install a sculpture in the middle of the roundabout.

Here are a couple of neat pics with aerial and overhead views of the roundabout and the southern end of the Sawmill section of the Rail Trail. They were posted earlier this month by the city and the Rail Trail account on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/abqrailtrail/p/DPfMs6dETmU/

[ABQalex]

Here's a piece in The Architect's Newspaper published yesterday which says that UNM has chosen the architects for the new School of Medicine facility at Lomas and University NE. National firm ZGF will team with local firm McClain + Yu to design the estimated $600 million project. It will replace the school's existing 60-year-old structure. The story includes a preliminary rendering of what they are planning for the new facility. They say the final design is expected to be completed and unveiled late next year or early 2027. Construction is also slated to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2030.

https://www.archpaper.com/2025/10/un...hool-medicine/

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has selected ZGF and McClain + Yu Architecture & Design to lead the design of its new School of Medicine, a cornerstone project in the university’s Health Care Workforce Expansion Initiative. The new facility will replace the existing, 60-year-old medical school and is projected to double enrollment over the next decade, helping to meet urgent statewide shortages in healthcare.

In renderings, the building appears as a warm, sculpted structure organized around a central glass atrium. Deep set windows and vertical fins create a rhythmic facade meant to filter light while responding to Albuquerque’s intense desert sun. A broad slatted canopy floats above the upper level, shading terraces and circulation zones, while the surrounding landscape integrates native plants along pedestrian paths and gathering areas.

The project is part of UNM’s effort to expand the state’s healthcare workforce and address critical provider shortages in 32 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. “At The University of New Mexico, we believe every New Mexican, regardless of income or where they reside, should have access to the health care they need and deserve,” said UNM president Dr. Garnett S. Stokes. The new School of Medicine, estimated to cost $600 million, is expected to begin construction in 2027, with funding from both public sources and private philanthropy.

“The School of Medicine represents an exciting new resource for The University of New Mexico to build on its world-class medical education,” said Braulio Baptista, ZGF partner. “Not only will it enable medical programs to grow their graduating classes, but it promises to be a community- oriented facility that prepares students for today’s team-based, interprofessional health care delivery models.”

ZGF is no stranger to designing human-centered and environmentally responsive architecture in university settings. The firm’s past work includes the University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building and the forthcoming University of California, Merced Medical Education Building. Albuquerque-based McClain + Yu brings extensive experience on the UNM campus, including the Lobo Welcome Center, the Smith Plaza renovation, and the Clark Hall Chemistry Building. The partnership is meant to combine national expertise in health education design with an understanding of the university’s local and cultural context.

The new School of Medicine joins a series of transformative campus projects. Diller Scofidio + Renfro and ROMA Architecture are currently working on the Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology, while Dekker and Gensler are leading a master plan to modernize University Stadium and revitalize South Campus.

Concept design for the new School of Medicine is in progress, with the final design expected to be unveiled in late 2026 or early 2027.

[ABQalex]

Here is a collage of renderings and more information about Lobo Crossing from the project architects on their LinkedIn account recently. They name eight more tenants for the project, including HomeGoods, Marshall's, Old Navy, Ross and Burlington. There will also apparently be another new location for Sierra Trading Post, which was of course recently also announced for the developer's Cottonwood Corners property on the Westside.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...6441000890368/



Here's a story by Albuquerque Business First last week about UNM's Lobo Development Corporation listing properties and parcels for lease in the South Campus area. They also mention Lobo Crossing in the story. The listing agents say that they expect great interest because of the proximity to the project. The story includes an image from the property listing which shows the various properties and the expected layout of Lobo Crossing.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...us-listed.html

Lobo Development Corporation recently listed over 41 acres of land on UNM’s South Campus.

The 41.4 acres of development-ready land is listed by CBRE’s Trevor Hatchell and Matt Butkus and designated as the Lobo Sports & Tech District, the listing shows.

It was originally listed Oct. 8, the Commercial Association of Realtors New Mexico listing shows.

The land is being marketed for retailers and entertainment venues and includes retail anchor, junior anchor and pad sites, the listing shows.

The land is surrounded by the Lobo Village apartment complex, The Pit, University Stadium, Rio Grande Credit Union Field and the UNM Science and Tech Park.

It’s also just north of the planned Lobo Crossing Shopping Center, which, if the sale of that land closes to Phoenix-based developer SimonCRE, would bring about 360,000 square feet of retail space and a new Target to UNM's South Campus by summer 2027.

Butkus and Hatchell are also representing UNM on that transaction.

“CBRE Land Group is proud to have been involved with the Lobo Sports & Tech District since its inception,” Hatchell said in an email statement. “This dynamic site offers exceptional visibility from Interstate 25 and is strategically located near The Pit and other major stadiums, making it a prime destination for sports, entertainment and innovation.”

There are 14.6-acre, 8.3-acre, 6.3-acre, 4.2-acre, 4-acre and 2.5-acre sites available for a ground lease, build-to-suit or free simple sale, the listing shows.

There is also a 1.5-acre site available that sits just south of the site for the planned Lobo Crossing Shopping Center.

Key features of the land include Tax Increment Development District financing for public infrastructure, direct access and visibility from I-25, 91,852 employees in a 3-mile radius and 176,278 in 5-mile radius and 1.3 million spectators annually, the listing shows.

And, as a state entity, UNM is exempt from local zoning and land-use regulations.

“Retail interest is accelerating, especially with the upcoming 360,000-square-foot Lobo Crossing retail center just to the south,” Hatchell said. “The district is ideally positioned to benefit from the significant development activity at UNM’s South Campus, and we anticipate strong demand from end users eager to capitalize on this momentum.”

Lobo Development Corporation did not respond to Albuquerque Business First's inquiry for comment.

In that aerial image above with the layout of Lobo Crossing superimposed you can see that it looks like there are two junior anchor spaces left to lease, along with the various outparcel structures and spaces. I'm hoping that those remaining vacancies will bring us a bit more exciting names. Not to take anything away from them, but I was hoping for more than Burlington and Ross, especially since we do already have those nearby to Downtown Albuquerque just west of the river at Central and Atrisco. HomeGoods, Marshall's and Old Navy are a bit more exciting since we don't have those nearby. But it looks like Target really will be the big catch here.

[ABQalex]

The Albuquerque Journal has an update on the Maxeon Solar project. The story has a pessimistic view, but the company says that they intend to begin manufacturing next year in their leased space in North I-25. They also say that they still intend to build their massive new facility on Mesa del Sol despite all the headwinds and uncertainty lately.

https://www.abqjournal.com/business/...257382c66.html

Despite Maxeon Solar Technologies’ financial struggles and external developments related to the current presidential administration, the company says it is holding firm in building a massive manufacturing site in Albuquerque.

“Maxeon remains committed to building a resilient U.S. manufacturing base, with the Albuquerque facility as a key component of that strategy,” Maxeon spokesperson Forrest Monroy wrote in an email to the Journal in early October.

The Singapore-based solar company announced in 2023 its plans to build a $1 billion, 1.9 million-square-foot facility in Albuquerque’s Mesa del Sol. The proposed building would be used for solar panel assembly and fabrication of photovoltaic cells, and could bring 1,800 jobs to the area.

Maxeon, which branched off from U.S.-based SunPower Corp., originally anticipated construction would begin last year and have an operational facility by 2025.

But the company has yet to break ground on the project and has been slow to share details.

Steve Chavez, managing partner of Mesa del Sol Investments, said that while no building construction has started, Maxeon has begun working on facility infrastructure and completed environmental and geotechnical assessments.

Chavez said he and Maxeon officials had a “good conversation” on Monday, adding that the company is “reengaging in land and infrastructure discussions.”

However, developments under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Monroy said, have introduced new “uncertainties regarding eligibility for clean energy incentives and domestic content rules.”

In response, Maxeon is evaluating alternatives for the facility, including potential ownership adjustments, supply chain structures and project timelines, Monroy said.

Max Gruner, Albuquerque economic development director, declined to comment but said the city would have more to share in the coming weeks.

Local and state governments have pitched millions of dollars in economic incentives for Maxeon to set up shop in Albuquerque.

In August, the company filed financial results for the first half of 2025. Maxeon reported revenue of $39 million in the six months ending June 30, a significant drop from the six months ending in June 2024, when it brought in $371 million. Shares of Maxeon were trading at $3.55 on Friday, down nearly 60% year to date.

According to previous Journal reporting, Maxeon has experienced shipping delays and blocks on U.S. imports over the past year. Challenges stem from the company’s battle with U.S. Customs and Border Protection over an alleged lack of documentation to prove compliance with forced labor regulations, which Maxeon has denied.

The company has also seen its share of corporate changes over the past year, appointing George Guo to CEO in October 2024 and selling its non-U.S. business to TCL Technology Group late last year.

In November 2024, Maxeon strayed from its plans to build the facility on its original timeline, instead signing a five-year lease on a former Honeywell building in Albuquerque, where it said it would begin solar module assembly in 2026. It is unclear if that facility is up and running, though it looked empty on a recent weekday afternoon.

“While foundational work has begun, major capital deployment is being paced to align with evolving policy clarity,” Monroy said. “We will continue to engage with stakeholders and provide updates as our plans mature.”

[ABQalex]

Downtown Albuquerque News on Friday had a pic showing the new temporary sign for UMB Bank on the ground floor of the former New Mexico Bank & Trust building in Downtown Albuquerque. UMB Financial of Kansas City completed its acquisition of New Mexico Bank & Trust and its parent company, Heartland Financial of Denver, earlier this year. The changeover locally to the new name occurred earlier this month on the 14th.

https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/



Here's a recent story by Albuquerque Business First with more about the change. UMB officials say that there won't be any closures or a reduction in staff locally with the change. In fact, they say that they've added people with the change.

They also say that new, permanent signage will go up on the main branch in Downtown Albuquerque soon. They say that their offices in the building will be getting a renovation as well. There had been rumors that the branch and offices would close when the old NMB-T signs came down from the building late last month.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...nd-to-umb.html

New Mexico Bank and Trust locations have a new look and name after its parent company was bought out by UMB Financial Corp.

UMB announced Thursday that it completed the rebrand after purchasing Heartland Financial USA, Inc., which included New Mexico Bank & Trust, earlier this year. UMB now has 21 branches in the state.

In a press release, the bank said that all former Heartland Financial customers, including New Mexico Bank & Trust, would be able to access all services through the UMB brand.

The bank had been in New Mexico under its previous name for 27 years.

UMB New Mexico market president Melanie Velasquez told Albuquerque Business First that they communicated the name change with customers and that the process had gone smoothly.

She also wanted to assure customers that the 21 offices throughout the state would remain open and that they actually increased employees since the purchase.

As for new locations, Velasquez said, “It’s definitely something UMB is looking at, is to grow strategically in our markets and looking at other footprints throughout the state as well.”

“We have all of our rebranding across the market with our new logo and name,” she added.

She also said the New Mexico Bank and Trust Building in downtown Albuquerque had its branding removed and would receive new permanent signage in the “next few weeks.” The downtown offices will also be getting some renovations for “a fresh look” that’s more modern.

The important thing, she said, is that while the name and branding changed, the people in New Mexico remained the same.

“I really want our market and our customers to know that you still have the same people,” she said. “You’ve got your team, you’ve got your trusted advisors, we’re a phone call away. We sit here in our market, we serve our communities and our customers.”

UMB is based in Kansas City, Missouri and purchased Heartland Financial, which was based in Denver, for $2.8 billion in an all-stock transaction. The company said it was the largest acquisition in the bank’s 112-year history.

“Our combined company is performing extremely well as evidenced by our second quarter earnings results,” UMB Financial Corporation chairman and CEO Mariner Kemper said in a statement. “We’ve gained great talent and are already seeing business wins and strong camaraderie among the teams. I am extremely proud of all the associates who worked so tirelessly to deliver a seamless transition to our customers.”

“In my banking career, I’ve gone through four different acquisitions and this felt very, very different,” Velasquez said. “UMB started with early communication internally to all of our staff and employees. That was training, that was giving resources, a lot of check-ins.”

She added UMB deployed “over 1,600 staff to help assist in this conversion.”

The second-quarter earning results from UMB showed total revenues of $689.2 million in the second quarter, in part because of the purchase of Heartland Financial.

Kemper said in an interview in January the purchase was a way to reduce risk for the company through diversification.

“We’ve been heavily weighted toward commercial and institutional,” Kemper said in an interview at the time. “So we double the size of our retail business and we double the size of our footprint. We’ll have twice as many branches and twice as much in deposits. Also strategically, we really like the wealth management business.”

After the purchase, UMB has 192 branches and 347 ATMs across 13 states. The purchase of Heartland Financial added branches in California, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin along with New Mexico. The company already had branches in Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Illinois.

The company says its asset size as of June 30, 2025 reached $71.8 billion.

Here's another pic showing the larger temporary sign with the new name on the upper floors of the east side of the building. It's a screenshot from a short video posted on Instagram at the beginning of the month by the owner and operator of the Pink Cloud Cafe, which is located in the lobby of the building.

https://www.instagram.com/pinkcloud....l/DPWoXxvCIBV/

[ABQalex]

Here are some nice pics of the city that JimmyCrackedCorn posted over at SSC yesterday. The last two pics give nice views of the progress on The George at Country Club Plaza and UNM's Center for Collaborative Arts & Technology. You can see that the George is now almost fully framed and the CCAT is finally going vertical after an extended period of subterranean and foundation work.

[ABQalex]

KRQE has a story about some of the ideas that have emerged for the redevelopment of the state fairgrounds. They include housing and a park and promenade at San Pedro and Central that would host the existing flea market on weekends. The story includes information about the next steps in the process that will take place in November.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...redevelopment/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Potential redevelopment of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque is moving fast, and KRQE News 13 is getting our first look at some of the big ideas being offered up to redesign one of the main corners of the property. The 49-acre corner is located on San Pedro and Central. Planners are emphasizing they’re only in the idea phase, but so far, that includes a lot of new potential housing and a possible, massive new park.

“Today, we’re looking at things like traffic calming on San Pedro, pedestrian safety on Central, which is one of the most dangerous roadways in the United States of America. Ten acres of green space that can open up and be available to the public,” said Martin Chavez, New Mexico State Fairgrounds Initiative.

Planners emphasize their concepts are not final, but they include ideas of adding a bunch a different types of housing, better bus stops, space for food trucks, and the flea market in what would be a big, open park and promenade. An initial estimate outlines a $64 million cost.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the neighborhood is overdue for an update. “It just never got what it deserves to be a meaningful community that reflects the people who live there who have always deserved this level of prioritization and support,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-New Mexico).

Redevelopment could also include buying up neighboring land, like the closed CVS near Louisiana Blvd. and Central Ave. “So, it’s a balance of as things happen inside the fairgrounds, we also want to see good things happening outside the fairgrounds, and it’s a good first step,” said Roger Valdez, Director, the Center for Housing Economics.

Reacting to the ideas, Albuquerque City Councilor Nicole Rogers said it’s a great start, going in the right direction for her district. “This is stuff that we can do right away, regardless of what happens with the fair, if it stays or goes. Community wants green space, the community wants better pedestrian safety around the fair, and we need to lower the heat index,” said Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor for District 6.

The Tax District Board overseeing the plan effort passed a resolution on Thursday to move the ideas forward to the next design stage. It will have to go to the State Board of Finance for approval next. The Fairgrounds District will host a second public meeting to get community input on the potential drafts on November 18.

[ABQalex]

Here's a story by KRQE about UNM's sustainability efforts which has a pic showing the new UNM Police headquarters structure that's under construction. The video story also has views of the new CCAT structure under construction, which I've screenshotted and posted below as well.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...tal-footprint/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The University of New Mexico recently released its first comprehensive sustainability plan to reduce its environmental footprint, highlighting key areas it plans to change to meet better energy and operations standards. The five-year plan is a culmination of an extensive year-long process that gathered feedback from the campus community through interviews, focus groups, a campus-wide survey, and town halls.

“The plan outlines goals in the areas of energy and greenhouse gas reduction, water use and land, waste, transportation, and food and dining on the transform campus operations side,” UNM Sustainability Director Anne Jakle said. “Each goal area has a number of actions to achieve the goal.”

Each action item has to do with lessening human impact on resources like energy and water. One of which is a major campus infrastructure project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning all new buildings to fully electric, and switching the heating systems from gas to geothermal or solar energy. The new police building will be the university’s first all-electric building, and the new CCAT building will be its second.

“The lighting systems, heating systems, cooling systems, the energy for it will all be derived from electricity,” Jakle said. “If you clean up the grid and provide more lower-carbon energy sources, you’re reducing greenhouse gas and other air emissions. Part of our project to electrify and decarbonize the campus heating means you drill these shallow wells, and you utilize the earth as a battery to store heat and harvest heat out of it. The idea is as we transform the existing heating elements to high-efficiency heat pumps, and then ultimately use the earth as a battery to absorb and emit heating and cooling potential. It’s called a geo-exchange system, and it’s a great way to electrify your campus heating system in a zero-carbon way.”

Another action item includes removing some turf around campus and replacing it with green stormwater infrastructure.

“Reducing water use and landscaping, reducing non-functional turf,” Jakle said. “Meaning turf that doesn’t have a purpose or use, like something in a median, installing green stormwater infrastructure where we can harvest the stormwater.”

Other infrastructure components in the plan deal with electric vehicle charging and implementing strategies for safer biking, scooting, and walking to campus.

“There’s a lot of transportation goals too that have to do with reducing single occupancy vehicles for campus commuting,” Jakle said. “We create a lot of traffic and that’s a lot of emissions, so we’re looking for ways to encourage walking, bicycling, and scooting to campus. We’re really getting in front of issues like water scarcity and energy transition and trying to be a model for how those items can be tackled in a way that’s good for the community. Beyond being the right thing to do for our planet and using resources wisely, it can also reduce operating costs, especially for energy efficiency measures.”

The new police headquarters building is expected to be finished in June 2026, and the CCAT building by the end of next year. The university hopes to have all these goals in motion within its five-year plan.

[ABQalex]

It's election day in Albuquerque, but unfortunately the effort to reapeal the prohibition on public spending for a performing arts center isn't on the ballot due to a supposed "clerical error" on the part of the city clerk's office. It's unknown when or if the question will appear on a ballot in the future.

https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/

Ballot question meant to open door to Downtown performing arts center is MIA

City clerk takes the blame, says it was clerical error.

The Office of the City Clerk said Monday that it had inadvertently left a measure meant to clear the way for a Downtown performing arts center off of election ballots, throwing a wrench into the broader effort and setting off a scramble to figure out when and how voters might ultimately decide the matter.

The clerk's office said in a statement that it took responsibility for the mistake, which it chalked up to a clerical error. "We're reviewing our procedures to prevent future errors and exploring all options to ensure voters can weigh in on this matter as soon as possible," the statement said.

City Councilor Joaquín Baca, who sponsored the legislation to put the question on the ballot, said he was "extremely disappointed" to learn of the mistake, which he discovered late last week while following up on an inquiry from DAN about the measure's status.

"I hadn't voted yet and nobody else noticed," he said Monday. "I spent a few days calming down for sure."

When and how the mistake might be rectified is an ongoing topic of conversation between City Clerk Ethan Watson, Baca, and council staff, the councilor added.

The logistics of such a do-over could prove tricky. While many analysts and not a few candidates expect the mayoral race to go to a runoff, Baca said it wasn't yet clear if the performing arts center question could be appended to that ballot, or if it might need to wait until either the primary or general election in 2026. Special elections, meanwhile, are theoretically possible but come with extra costs.

Also unclear is the extent to which Baca might need to move further legislation to make a second attempt possible. He said he would wait to make detailed plans on that front until questions about the runoff are resolved.

The ballot question would have asked voters to remove a provision in the city charter that prevents the city from spending more than $10 million on a Downtown performing arts center without a public vote. The unusual requirement traces its roots back to 1987, when the City Council signed off on a 10-year tax to fund an array of "quality of life" projects, with $64 million worth of the proceeds earmarked for a Downtown arts center to be located on the square block just north of Civic Plaza, as the Journal reported in 1999. But that move seems to have inspired something of a tax revolt: In 1991, voters passed an amendment to the city charter putting all of what were described as "large building projects" up for a vote. Most of the measure got repealed later that same year, but the requirement for a vote on arts centers remained and has been there ever since. Voters rejected a proposed center in 1993, and in 1999 also rejected an attempt to take the approval requirement out of the charter.

Baca has been a full-throated advocate for a Downtown center, arguing that it will lead to city center revitalization. Earlier this year, he also attempted to put before voters a gross receipts tax increase meant to pay for it and an array of other "quality of life" projects around the city. That proposal failed in May amid much council rancor (DAN, 5/8/25), but Baca said this week that he would try to bring it back in 2026.

https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-g...on-the-ballot/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque voters are facing a slightly shorter ballot this election, but not on purpose. The Albuquerque City Clerk admitted that one measure that should have been there never made the ballot. That ballot measure is meant to change restrictions on how much the city can spend on a performing arts center downtown, but after it was accidentally left off the ballot, the city is now trying to figure out when voters will have a say.

“It’s an anomaly, it’s unprecedented, super disappointing,” said Joaquín Baca, Albuquerque City Council for District 2.

Councilor Baca described a big mistake that has left a question off for voters on this November’s ballot. Voters were supposed to decide on a measure aimed at changing the Albuquerque City Charter. Right now, the Albuquerque City Council has to ask voters permission if they want to spend more than $10 million on a downtown performing arts center.

Councilor Baca hoped that voters would repeal that rule, but while councilors approved the question in March, the city clerk’s office forgot about it, until Councilor Baca called them.

“When I called, they were like, ‘wait what? Let us call you back, sort of the thing, so they were caught off guard themselves,” said Baca.

The City Clerk’s office called it a “clerical error” and said it “take responsibility” for the mistake. While Baca called it an “honest mistake,” now the city has to figure out what’s next.

“So, this is pretty unprecedented, and so nobody really knows exactly what that looks like, so we’re trying to, “A” we got all the attorneys on it trying to figure that out. And the way it’s written, it has to be on the 2025 ballot, but that could potentially be the run-off ballot,” said Councilor Baca.

Councilor Baca said another potential scenario could force city council to restart the process to put it on next year’s ballot amid the possibility of up to five new city councilors, a prospect that Councilor Baca said isn’t ideal. “There’s a lot of work and time and energy that goes into that, and so that’s…I don’t want to start over, but that’s you know, it is what it is,” said Councilor Baca.

While the city council met Monday night, they still haven’t decided the next step, but they’re hoping to have a better idea of what that could look like by the end of the week. The Clerk’s Office said it’s also “reviewing procedures to prevent future errors.”

This is absolutely infuriating and one of the most maddening examples of incompetence by our local leaders and people in charge. How they could simply "forget" to put the question on the ballot is beyond me. This is your biggest job and responsibility and you just simply forget to do it right and correctly??

The city clerk must resign or be fired as far as I'm concerned. There's simply no excuse and acceptable reason for this to have happened. This particular city clerk has been problematic and had questionable actions in his role before. That's even more reason to get rid of him. He's just not competent, trustworthy or good at this job, period, end of story.

[ABQalex]

Visit ABQ announced today on their social media accounts that Albuquerque has been named among the 16 best places to go in 2026 by Frommer's.

https://www.instagram.com/visitabq/p/DQznM79E8hE/



Here's the link to the actual list and writeup for Albuquerque on Frommer's website.

https://www.frommers.com/tips/news/f...to-go-in-2026/

Frommer's Best Places to Go in 2026

Our popular list of travel recommendations for the year is here!

If you’re a traveler, you’re lucky. You know the secret.

You know that travel heals. Travel uplifts. As long as the world still goes round, travelers can reset their minds and hearts simply by traveling somewhere else and immersing themselves in someone else’s methods for going through life.

In 2026, there are mindset reboots to be found at many ends of many roads. Some of them we will all be exposed to news about: Milano Cortina in Italy will host the Winter Games of the Olympics, Barcelona will commemorate the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death, and the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will gather soccer fans from around the world for the FIFA World Cup.

But for this new edition of our eagerly awaited annual Where to Go list, Frommer’s editors and contributors from around the globe have chosen places that you might not have otherwise considered for your own adventure through 2026. Each destination is marking a milestone, honoring traditions that predate all of us, or garnering attention for the first time. Even in a moment of uncertainty, they are evolving.

If your mindset needs a reboot, do what travelers do: Climb out of your usual circular thinking and seek a reset at the end of a journey. We live in a wide world with more than one way of doing things. Plug into enduring truths of humankind and renovate your perspective at one of our 2026 Best Places to Go destinations.

In no particular order, our Best Places to Go in 2026:

...

Albuquerque, New Mexico

In Albuquerque in April 2026, more than 3,000 Native American and Indigenous dancers from 800 U.S. and Canadian tribes, wearing buckskin, headdresses, and elaborate shawls, will spiral their way into a vast arena to the beat of 30 traditional drum groups and the applause of 100,000 onlookers. The spectacle is the Grand Opening of the 43rd Gathering of Nations—and the last dance, so to speak, as this is the final year the Gathering will take place and your last chance to attend America’s biggest powwow. Also on the weekend-long agenda are dancing and music performances, a horse-and-rider parade, and an Indian Traders Market showcasing Indigenous arts and crafts.

Can’t make it in April? You can still learn about indigenous culture at Albuquerque’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where the history and traditions of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo Indian communities are upheld. Then head 60 miles west to Acoma Pueblo, also known as Sky City. Founded around 1250, this stunning adobe village set high atop a sheer-faced mesa is the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America.

And powwow enthusiasts mourning the loss of the big Albuquerque event can take heart: Hundreds of smaller powwows take place across the United States each year, even in New York City in June

...

You can see that they based it on the Gathering of Nations powwow in April, which will unfortunately be its last after over 40 years taking place annually. It's the largest event of its kind in the world. I hope it will eventually get some kind of reprieve and will be handed off to new organizers or that a completely new powwow and event will emerge to replace it. This has become one of Albuquerque’s biggest and signature events. We must find a way to keep it going or to organize a replacement!

https://www.gatheringofnations.com/

[ABQalex]

Here's an awesome pic that the Rainbow Ryders balloon pilot posted on his Facebook account last weekend. It shows Downtown Albuquerque and its adjacent areas, including West Downtown. You can see The George at Country Club Plaza and its wooden framing towards the bottom center of the pic along Central Avenue.

(Click the link directly below the embedded image to see it full size)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...16.-2207520000


https://images2.imgbox.com/b3/28/ioSBjVnN_o.jpg