if you've got nothing better to do and are interested in seeing some student work regarding some interesting designs, please swing by 100 Gold Ave. tonight between 4-6p -- OR another time during the following week. 

 

On display is work regarding the Warehouse District and TOD proposals for Los Lunas.

 

Thanks.

ABQDWELL:
Sorry, I guess I over-reached in my response by thinking that you were a daily commuter downtown, but lived in the foothills. I react to anyone who seems to be saying "Do as I say, not as I do." That part was wrong - it looks like you're on pretty solid ground.
I was trying to point out that it was ironic that you agreed with the previous poster, who stated that the car culture in America encourages folks (like you and me) to move out to the suburbs so they can buy more house for the money, but ignores the very real cost of all the transportation infrastructure that's necessary (ie, roads, car cost, gas cost, etc...). I do not disagree one bit with that viewpoint. My hometown was/is the fourth most densely packed city in the US, and I took public transportation/walked/biked a lot in my youth. When we moved here, my house was 5 miles from work, and I road my bike 4 out of 5 days a week. It drives me nuts that the roads are really dangerous here for biking. (I lived in Tucson, and its bike-friendly there. Honest.)

Okay - so the irony is that you supported that statement too, but also chose to live about as far from downtown as possible, probably because it's pretty nice near the Tram - but you're still part of a neighborhood where you have to drive a long way to get groceries, to go to the movies, see music, etc... (I'm a bit closer in, and can walk to stores.)

As far as the streetcar is concerned , we're talking about a very small route in the downtown area, not a regional transportation plan that might send a bus close to your house. The present bus route covers Central very well - there is no need for a streetcar - not for people who live in the area, and certainly not for you and me. It's a very expensive tie-in to the proposed (very expensive) arena/hotel.

I'll let you know that I was recently appointed to the CABQ regional transportation advisory board, so I'll have some minor say in this. It looks like Mayor Marty is trying to get federal money to build this streetcar and I don't have a problem with that - build away - its free money (sorta). I do have a problem with the former funding scheme - borrowing from Peter to pay Paul - we need that money to expand our bus service around the city.

That's my view. Peace.

I like your wife's idea for a coffeeshop bike shop combo. I know where that building is and it could be really awesome...I have been getting some nice suggestions from people about future "possibilities"... but right now I'm so busy I'm not sure when I'll get to it...

I'm actually a volunteer at 1000 Friends and meant to re-post something about the great streets plan...see you there?

nice blog, I really like your vision.