Downtown often has some of our favorite places, but with the pandemic, there’s not as many businesses. Over the years, we’ve seen many different plans to try and revitalize downtown, now another one. “We’re in a situation where we have high commercial vacancy rates and we have people who still want to live downtown and work downtown,” City of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said. Keller talked about a seven-point plan to revitalize the area. The first to make downtown safe. “If you come downtown and commit crimes, if you come downtown to disrupt people’s socialization, disrupt economic development, we will take you to jail,” Deputy Chief Josh Brown with the Albuquerque Police Department said. Keller says one way to help crime is lighting. “The issue where you walk to Central and you enjoy your entertainment, etc., but then when you walk to your car, that’s usually when most of the crime occurs,” Keller said. The plan also includes building more housing “One key part of this plan is to set up a policy and regulation situation with respect to the idea so that we can convert commercial real estate into residential housing,” Keller said. The other steps include more things like the railyards and switching to renewable energy. Part of the plan is the homeless population. “We have the Gateway 24/7 drop off open, which is forecasted for about January, we’re also going to have a place to take them where they can get help,” he said. They also want to partner with downtown businesses, but not everyone is on board. “I will tell you straight out, the owners of the gizmo building are essentially holding downtown hostage for money. And I’m sick of it,” Keller said. Keller says this plan is a starting place to make downtown safer, he says the city plans to have festivals and art shows next year.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM —
Downtown often has some of our favorite places, but with the pandemic, there’s not as many businesses.
Over the years, we’ve seen many different plans to try and revitalize downtown, now another one.
“We’re in a situation where we have high commercial vacancy rates and we have people who still want to live downtown and work downtown,” City of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said.
Keller talked about a seven-point plan to revitalize the area.
The first to make downtown safe.
“If you come downtown and commit crimes, if you come downtown to disrupt people’s socialization, disrupt economic development, we will take you to jail,” Deputy Chief Josh Brown with the Albuquerque Police Department said.
Keller says one way to help crime is lighting.
“The issue where you walk to Central and you enjoy your entertainment, etc., but then when you walk to your car, that’s usually when most of the crime occurs,” Keller said.
The plan also includes building more housing
“One key part of this plan is to set up a policy and regulation situation with respect to the idea so that we can convert commercial real estate into residential housing,” Keller said.
The other steps include more things like the railyards and switching to renewable energy.
Part of the plan is the homeless population.
“We have the Gateway 24/7 drop off open, which is forecasted for about January, we’re also going to have a place to take them where they can get help,” he said.
They also want to partner with downtown businesses, but not everyone is on board.
“I will tell you straight out, the owners of the gizmo building are essentially holding downtown hostage for money. And I’m sick of it,” Keller said.
Keller says this plan is a starting place to make downtown safer, he says the city plans to have festivals and art shows next year.
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