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
- Successful downtowns include residential living; a diverse economic base; a “play environment” that includes shopping, dining, and entertainment; and transit systems and open spaces that support congregation
- Revitalizing Downtown Albuquerque will require the mitigation of current key threats to growth, such as crime and a persistent problem with homelessness, while at the same time investing in new game-changing development projects to increase the appeal of downtown, broaden its range of uses, and attract more visitors and employers
- 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 yield 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
Downtown Soccer Stadium
- Organize support for the siting and construction of a sports arena in Downtown that would serve as the home arena for New Mexico United and be used for other sporting events, concerts, markets, and entertainment.
Rail Trail
- Work with City leaders and private developers to secure funding, public support, and government authorization to build a nearly 9-mile multi-modal trail connecting key parts of the greater downtown area (see above) and spurring the construction of new hotels, restaurants, and shops.
The Historic Albuquerque Rail Yards
- Seek funding to continue the renovation, rebuilding, and renewal of the Rail Yards into an anchor amenity in Downtown Albuquerque, with iconic meeting and event spaces, trendy shopping and dining opportunities, and entertainment.
Homelessness and Crime
- Urge City leaders to regularly transport those who are homeless in Downtown Albuquerque to the new 24/7 “Gateway” shelter and service center for the homeless, and continue to advocate for the deployment of crime-fighting technology and additional police officers in the downtown area.
ONE HURDLE DOWN: Bond Question to Fund Stadium Construction to Appear on Ballot
At last night’s meeting, and after two hours of debate, the Albuquerque City Council passed legislation to put a $50 million bond for a multi-purpose …
ABQ DOWNTOWN SET TO SCORE: Feasibility Study Points to Downtown for a Multi-Use Soccer Stadium
On Friday, Mayor Tim Keller announced a plan to fund and build a multi-use soccer stadium in Albuquerque. New Mexico United, the Duke City’s professional …
A BIG DEAL FOR DOWNTOWN: Rail Trail Project Gaining Traction
Albuquerque adventurers, rejoice – one day soon, there may be a new way to explore and experience our downtown area. A proposed Rail Trail would …
OUR TAKE: Tent Cities Are Not the Answer
Last week, the Albuquerque Journal reported that two local leaders, Albuquerque City Councilor Diane Gibson and Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, are advocating for sanctioned encampments …
DOWNTOWN UPGRADES: Leadership ABQ Hears from City Experts on Revitalization Efforts
On Tuesday, Leadership Albuquerque spent the day hearing from a variety of experts on what it might take to make Albuquerque’s Downtown area the vibrant, …
GATEWAY CENTER MOVES FORWARD: City Makes $15M Purchase of Gibson Medical Center
Last week, the City of Albuquerque announced the finalization of the $15 million purchase of the Gibson Medical Center. The 572,000-square-foot facility will ultimately become …
CRISIS TRIAGE CENTER MOVES AHEAD: UNM and Bernalillo County Choose a Site
The University of New Mexico and Bernalillo County announced last week that they have identified two existing buildings that will one day provide stabilization services …
GETTING IN THE GAME: Mayor’s Administration Takes a Step Toward a Multi-Purpose Soccer Stadium
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced last Friday that his administration is taking the next step toward a formal feasibility study for a multi-purpose soccer stadium …
TAKING IT DOWNTOWN: Leadership Albuquerque Considers Downtown Transformation in Last Program Day
In the final program day in Leadership Albuquerque’s 2019-2020 program year, the class heard presentations from a variety of experts on homelessness, law enforcement and …
A NEW DAY AT THE RAIL YARDS: City’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Seeking Proposals for North Entrance
Revitalizing the centrally located and historically significant Albuquerque Rail Yards has been one of the core priorities of the Chamber and other groups seeking a …
Safety Proposals
The Chamber has also developed public safety recommendations to enhance the viability of downtown, especially after business hours, when residents and visitors would be more likely to be in the area.
- Create a downtown public safety district with a Deputy Chief of Police
- Install a police substation at the Alvarado Transportation Center
- Increase the number of assigned officers downtown
- Address homelessness and related needs through outreach and crisis intervention
- Construct a 24/7 shelter and expand housing vouchers and addiction resources
- Step up garbage collection, as well as expand efforts to eradicate graffiti quickly
