A proposal to tackle the vacant building issue and ban people from laying or sitting on sidewalks in Downtown Albuquerque is on the agenda for the City Council’s Monday meeting.
The Downtown Vacant Buildings and Properties Ordinance — sponsored by Councilor Joaquín Baca — states that vacant buildings and properties are a health and safety concern, a “public nuisance” and a “private nuisance” to neighboring properties that may lose retail and property value because of the unmaintained vacant properties.
Baca’s proposal would put more pressure on owners of vacant properties by requiring new regulations, inspections and registration fees. The fees would be based on the square footage of the property and how many years the property has been vacant.
The ordinance also proposes “no obstruction zones” to prevent people from blocking sidewalks in the “Downtown Center.”
It will prohibit “sleeping, sitting, kneeling, crouching or lying down along or across the sidewalk.” The zones would have signs, curb paint or other visual notifications.
Read more about vacant buildings Downtown here.
Funding for new film studio
Councilors are also expected to vote on an ordinance that proposes issuing $7 million for a new film and television production campus for Mesa Film Studios LLC.
The city would issue $1 million in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds.
Bernalillo County is set to issue $186 million in industrial revenue bonds for the construction project.
Read more about the project here.
Funding for new solar project
Councilors will also consider an ordinance that would issue $11 million for a new Ebon Solar LLC facility in Mesa Del Sol.
The city would provide $1 million in LEDA funds.
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