Downtown Transformation
Creating a Vibrant Live/Work/Play Environment in the Core of Our City
Our Goal
Work with business, government, and community partners to revitalize and transform Downtown Albuquerque into the vibrant heart of our city – an area that is exciting, engaging, welcoming, and safe for businesses, residents, and visitors alikeOur Core Beliefs
- Successful and thriving cities tend to have a vibrant downtown, bustling with people.
- Successful downtowns have a diverse economic base, with adequate housing, shopping and dining options, entertainment venues, public transit, and open spaces that support congregation and recreation.
- Addressing the persistent problems of crime and homelessness is necessary to revitalizing Downtown Albuquerque.
- Investing in game-changing development projects will increase the appeal of Downtown, broaden its range of uses, and attract more visitors and employers.
- Transforming the downtown area will bring economic and quality-of-life benefits for the entire city.
The Chamber’s Downtown Transformation Policy Planks:
- Reduce the prevalence of homelessness and crime in Downtown Albuquerque
- Revitalize and renew historical buildings, routes, and spaces
- Explore new transformational projects and attractions for the downtown area
Progress and Initiatives
The Albuquerque Rail Trail
- Secure local, state, and federal funding – as well as public support – for the ongoing development of a nearly 7-mile trail connecting key parts of the greater downtown area.
High-Quality Hub for Homeless Sheltering and Services
- Support the swift scaling up of the Gateway Center as originally intended – a 24/7 shelter and coordinated service center for the homeless.
Business Improvement District (BID)
- Launch a Downtown business improvement district, allowing businesses to pool and spend resources on downtown-specific marketing, beautification, special events or markets, homeless interventions, and additional public safety improvements.
Crime-Fighting Resources and Coordination
- Support City- and county-led efforts to bring a greater police presence to Downtown, including more officers; security cameras tied into city-wide, real-time monitoring; and technology.
CHANGES ARE COMING: Chamber Board gets updates on Downtown plans, Expo New Mexico property and Leadership ABQ
On Feb. 27, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce held its February Board of Directors meeting in the Chamber’s offices Downtown. Board members got ...
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A MILESTONE: ABQ/BernCo celebrate 50 years of Main Library in Downtown
Hundreds of community members attended a day of celebration as the Main branch of the Public Library of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County marked its 50th anniversary on ...
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LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP: Dueling Bills – House Passes PFML Bill, And A Lot of Red Ink, To the Senate
DUELING BILLS – HOUSE PASSES PFML BILL, AND A LOT OF RED INK, TO THE SENATE Awash in red ink, the House chose to send ...
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ANOTHER STEP WITH EDUCATION: City enters agreement with UNM to extend campus into Downtown
The Lobos are looking to take the pack Downtown. On Feb. 13, the city of Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico announced a new ...
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ON THE RAIL TRAIL: City dedicates latest mural, ‘La Puesta del Sol’ in Downtown
The newest mural in Albuquerque’s Public Art Program’s collection, “La Puesta del Sol” by local artist Roberto Lara, was dedicated on the Rail Yards Pattern ...
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ART IS EVERYWHERE: ‘Art Vault’ opens at Gallery One inside City Hall in Downtown
Artist Caroline Liu has created a temporary installation called “Art Vault.” The exhibit recreates The Chinese Garden in the Mimbres Valley and emphasizes the importance ...
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TAKING A STAND: City Council approves ordinance on vacant Downtown properties
The City Council also approved an ordinance requiring vacant properties in Downtown Albuquerque to be registered with the city and pay a fee starting July ...
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INVESTING IN DOWNTOWN: City Council votes unanimously in favor of TIF bills
On Dec. 16, Doug Majewski, chair of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Transformation Bold Issue Group and CEO of Hartman + Majewski, offered ...
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BUSINESS BEAT 1: New Mexico’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook
On Dec. 2, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce hosted “Business Beat” virtual panel with Legislative Finance Committee director Charles Sallee. Check out the video ...
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MOVING FORWARD: GACC’s Downtown Transformation Bold Issue Group chair supports TIF at Council committee meeting, measures move to full Council
Doug Majewski, highlighted in green, gives testimony in favor of the proposed Downtown TIF during the City Council’s Finance & Government Operations Committee meeting on ...
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Learn more about how to support the downtown transformation.
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce is committed to revitalizing our city’s iconic downtown. To learn more about our lobbying and other efforts toward that end, contact the Chamber today.
