After months of negotiations, the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy (ASLA) has finalized a three-year lease agreement with the city to expand into the former North Fourth Art Center. The city-owned space, located at 4904 4th St. NW, has been shuttered since January. A $1,000-a-month lease had the support of Mayor Tim Keller and was recently […]
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Alleyway renaissance emerges in International District
There’s an urban revitalization effort underway in the International District in an unlikely location — residential alleys. Those involved in the undertaking do so with little to no budget and say it’s an effective way to make the area safer, spark community engagement and assist those experiencing homelessness. After months of preparation, the South San […]
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Appeal of new University area coffee spot grinds to a halt
A new café may be on the way to the University area. The Albuquerque City Council on Monday denied the University Heights Neighborhood Association’s appeal of Albuquerque property owner Augustine Grace’s plan to convert two adjacent residential properties into a café and community gathering space. With plans to turn the two houses — 201 and […]
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City Council paves the way for new film studio
Albuquerque is one step closer to being the home to a new film studio after city councilors approved millions for the project during their meeting Monday. Councilors unanimously passed an ordinance that would issue $7 million in city and state funds for a new film and television production campus for Mesa Film Studios LLC on […]
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Crackdown on vacant property owners, sidewalk sleeping on pause
Owners of vacant properties in Downtown Albuquerque will not see increased registration fees and sleeping on sidewalks in the area is still allowed — for now. After dozens spoke Monday night against an ordinance that aims to tackle an increased number of vacant buildings and create new rules for sidewalks in Downtown, the City Council […]
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Softening the workforce shortage squeeze
Construction projects across the state are booming, but contractors say finding enough skilled laborers to fill positions is a chronic challenge. The workforce shortages often cause project delays and increased costs — issues that have motivated officials to propose a fix in Albuquerque. The Apprenticeship Empowerment ordinance would require contractors to dedicate 15% of a […]
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City Council to tackle downtown vacant buildings, sleeping on sidewalks
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]