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 […]
Local Gov.
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Contention brewing over zoning change in University area
Albuquerque property owner Augustine Grace wants to convert two of his adjacent residential properties near the University area into a new coffee shop but after pushback from a neighborhood association, the future of the project is in the hands of City Council. At their meeting Monday, city councilors will hear from Grace about his proposal […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Photos: New ‘eco-series’ homes unveiled at Mesa del Sol
Albuquerque’s SunState Solar and Westway Homes unveiled a new series of homes at Mesa del Sol on Thursday with 100% electric features and solar panels — designed to drastically reduce emissions and utility costs. Two of 12 homes have been completed as part of a first phase. The “eco-series” homes south of the Albuquerque International […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Housing & Homelessness, Local Gov.
County commissioners delay funding for pallet homes, reaffirm support
Bernalillo County commissioners Tuesday reaffirmed support for an effort to combat the local homelessness problem, despite voting to move money they had designated for it elsewhere. At their regular meeting, commissioners decided to redistribute $600,000 that had been earmarked for a pallet-home campus planned by the City of Albuquerque. City leaders envision the pallet homes […]
Posted inEast Mountains, Local Gov., Uncategorized
Commissioners OK additional water money for Carñuel wastewater project
Residents of the Carñuel area continue to see local officials working to improve their water situation. Bernalillo County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to spend almost $578,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money toward a wastewater project in the East Mountains community. The commission in 2021 approved $3.85 million for the project, though bids for the […]
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City’s climate action plan aims for a greener future
Ann Simon recalls when her family used to eat most meals outside during Albuquerque summers, whether on a patio or at a park. “I don’t think we’ve done it once this summer, either because it was too hot or there were too many mosquitoes,” she said. “We all know that the climate is different than […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
BernCo set to issue bonds for new film studio
A proposed film studio complex could be a boon for the Albuquerque area, Bernalillo County commissioners said at their meeting Tuesday. But they also said they want to make sure the project is done right, and that the developers address the concerns of neighbors at the proposed West Mesa site. Commissioners voted to approve a […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Trash hike approved by Bernalillo County commissioners
The cost of taking out the trash is going up for residents of unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County. County commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a 6.5% increase in residential solid waste user fees. Basic trash service — which includes one trash receptacle and one cart for recyclables — is going from $18.72 a month […]
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Raising your voice: The importance of public comment
Go to any Albuquerque City Council meeting and it may seem like the public comment period is a waste of time. Councilors often use that time to grab a drink of water and eyes in the audience gloss over. Despite optics, councilors said they do listen and sometimes take specific action based on what they […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Will your trash pick-up get more expensive?
Residents of unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County may see the cost of trash pickup increase. County commissioners on Tuesday will consider a slate of increases to reflect inflation in the last year. In the meeting agenda, county staff wrote that costs for the service provider — Waste Management of New Mexico — have risen, which […]