City Council considering contract to upgrade public housing

The Albuquerque City Council on Wednesday is expected to consider approving a contract with a nonprofit organization to upgrade multiple low-income properties to make them more energy efficient. City councilors may also vote on a capital outlay request for a playground at the city’s balloon museum. 

Upgrades for low-income apartments 

If the contract with the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology is approved, the organization would add new weatherstripping, water heaters, furnaces, smart thermostats and lighting to eight low-income and city-owned apartment complexes. These properties include Manzano Vista Apartments, The Beach Apartments, Santa Barbara Senior Apartments, Bluewater Village, Tucson Apartments, Los Altos Lofts, Glorieta Apartments and Candelaria Gardens. 

The city will pitch in $1.5 million toward the $6 million project. Connor Woods, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, Housing and Homelessness, said in an email that “residents of city-owned properties are expected to see an estimated 15% to 40% reduction in their utilities.”

Capital outlay request for balloon museum playground 

The council will also decide whether it will ask the Legislature for more money. The proposed request, sponsored by Council President Brook Bassan, would fund an “outdoor playscape exhibit” at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum to “improve the museum experience” for visitors and engage children with “hands-on discovery.”

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