Albuquerque’s planned Rail Trail, long a goal of the Chamber, is making the transition off the drawing board and into the city’s hardscape. Terry Brunner, interim director of Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency and Mayor Tim Keller’s chief of staff, shares that “if you are visiting the Old Town and Sawmill area you will see the Rail Trail under construction between Tiguex Park and Sawmill Market. That section of trail should be open in the fall.”
And there’s other work coming next month to bring the 7-mile trail to residents and visitors alike. Brunner says “in Downtown, the first ramp taking people up and over the railroad tracks at Central and alongside Alvarado station is being constructed in May. Also in May, Rio Metro will be removing one of the railroad tracks to make way for the Rail Trail crossing. We should see a lot of activity in May in that section of trail.”
Terri Cole, GACC president and CEO, says the Rail Trail “supports the mission of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, which is to work with government, business and community partners to promote and develop a welcoming business environment and thriving diverse economy to make our city and state a great place to start and grow a business and a safe and exciting place to work and raise a family.
“For years the Chamber has been a vocal supporter of the proposed 7-mile, heart-shaped urban trail that will allow residents and visitors to walk or bike from the historic Rail Yards to Downtown proper, to Old Town and the Sawmill District, to our museums and BioPark and the beautiful Rio Grande bosque.”
And Del Esparza, GACC chairman of the board, adds “we see it as an anchor attraction to Downtown, catalyzing the development of commercial enterprises and unique spaces that will pull more people into the area. This project will put neglected industrial areas to new use, catalyze redevelopment of empty lots and vacant buildings along the route, attract employers Downtown and reinvigorate the job market, all while adding a family-friendly recreational amenity that will help to make Albuquerque a safer and more appealing place.”
The Chamber has recently championed various successful initiatives that hold potential to energize the economy Downtown and create a synergy with the Rail Trail, including formation of a Business Improvement District (BID) and a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
And the Rail Trail itself may supercharge interest in Downtown investments, as other urban trails have brought great increases in economic investment — around $1 billion in less than 20 years in peer cities like Indianapolis.
According to the city of Albuquerque, there is a commitment to ensuring those living in neighborhoods surrounding the Rail Trail can benefit from access to the trail and the economic opportunity it will bring. The city says the Rail Trail is an infrastructure project that can:
- Increase green space in our historic communities
- Expand economic opportunities for workers and businesses
- Add five miles of safe pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure for both commuters and families
- Uplift the cultural heritage of historic neighborhoods
- Grow public space acreage for community-based programming, and
- Activate and develop vacant lots and buildings.