Construction continues on The Rail Trail — a seven-mile multi-use trail the Chamber has long supported — which will connect Downtown Albuquerque and Old Town.
According to the city of Albuquerque, it is currently working on two projects — one in the Sawmill District and another on Central Avenue and First Street.
The city said it’s hoping this will create a network of developments used for recreation and that is could even become a tourist attraction.
Terry Brunner, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency director, said there’s a push for the trail to get built. The overpass bridge is being worked on at Central and First Street, meanwhile, the city finished one phase of the trail, in Old Town near Bellamah Avenue and 19th Street.
“So this is about a quarter-mile section that connects the Sawmill Market area with Old Town. It’s our first actual trail piece, and it will soon connect to Wells Park on one end and over to the Bosque Trail on the other end,” Brunner said.
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.”
The Chamber has also 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.