Comment by Benny the Icepick on December 11, 2012 at 1:22pm

I'm a big fan of infill, and of local governments doing whatever they can to encourage urban revitalization.  Getting to a specific project, I'd like to see an market demand analysis of what is needed downtown.  I wouldn't be surprised if the area wasn't already over-saturated with housing.  It would be nice to see some retail to support the housing that already exists there.  I remember years ago a proposal to build a "Sunflower-esque" grocery store on that site. Or how about a pharmacy? 

I, too, wish the article weren't so skimpy with the details.  No word on who the developer is, whether this is out of the blue or has been in the works for a while, how likely they are to receive the funding (whatever kind of funding it may be) or whether the decision falls to the County Commission or a departmental entity.

Comment by ramon t on December 11, 2012 at 1:43pm

See, those are good questions that make a good discussion.  Not snide comments about what Debbie O'Malley should tell them, taking into consideration that the article gave no details on what the money was asked for.  Developments and urban revitalization takes money and developers to do so.  Everyday people just can't take on those types of projects.  Yes, they can be part of the process but don't have the acumen or the money.  Working together to create a vibrant and successful downtown or infill area takes cooperation.  Not hasty, hateful or snide remarks towards Developers.

Comment by Johnny_Mango on December 11, 2012 at 3:47pm

Your question, Ramon, is a good one.  Just what does that $8M represent?  Your ideas about what "people around here" believe are not quite so well considered.

Comment by Phil_0 on December 11, 2012 at 3:50pm

I watched the video and while there was no additional information about the developer other than they were "from Portland," the conceptual plans that were shown have a 4-story apartment complex along the north and west sides of the property (facing Central and 10th) with an outdoor area and some other, larger kind of space (I can't read what the plan says, but it's blue...could be a pool? or maybe retail or restaurant) at the northwest corner, a relatively small parking lot at the southeast corner, and a patio-looking area at the center of the lot adjacent to the parking. The building seems to open to Park Avenue where Java Joe's and other shops are located, and includes another large retail-looking space at the southwest corner of the lot facing Washington Middle School. Not much to go on and of course things can change, but I like that activity seems focused along Park...that could help create a nice little urban pocket here. If mixed-use truly is part of the plan, I like that a lot too. The details here are very sketchy and KOB (shockingly!!!) doesn't seem to have done a lot of homework about what's actually being proposed, but by and large this has potential, or at least the potential for potential. Without knowing more I don't think we can reject this out of hand and it would seem there are even grounds for being cautiously optimistic. 151 units is dense, but downtown could use density and Albuquerque's rental market is still fairly healthy. At the very least, this seems like an improvement on an abandoned motel or a vacant lot...

Comment by ramon t on December 11, 2012 at 3:51pm

" Your ideas about what "people around here" believe are not quite so well considered."

 

If you say so.

Comment by BurqueBinder on December 11, 2012 at 4:25pm

^ Agreed, ramon t - I'd like to know the details as well. I know that area (as with most of ABQ) could use some infill - let's at least hear what the possibilities are and details around what they are asking for before making a judgement call.

Comment by BurqueBinder on December 11, 2012 at 4:27pm

Whoops, that was supposed to go under ramon t's earlier comment - looks the reply format has changed!

Comment by shotsie on December 11, 2012 at 4:40pm

Look - I would expect the invisible hands of the marketplace to actually provide financing for this project, instead of some outside developer putting his hands out for public financing.    Okay, so the marketplace would charge more interest, and would probably demand a study showing why this project would be more viable over an alternate commercial development (such as a grocery store), since the lot is just over an acre in size, and maybe would even expect to be paid back even if the apartments weren't successful.  It's much easier to do a soft sell on the local government, pitching the ideas of job creation and hip downtown residents, while downplaying the ability to walk away if the project doesn't work out. 

Aside from EDO, I can't think of any other downtown apartments on Central that have prospered - Central is just too noisy, and it's not that hard to find apartments away from Central.

Comment by RunLikeADog on December 11, 2012 at 4:52pm

" Your ideas about what "people around here" believe are not quite so well considered."

Having been in and out of DCF since back in the day, Ramon's comments are spot on.

 

As for EDO, something has to happen with down town Albuquerque. In the past three months, I have been to central parts of Austin, Phoenix, San Antonio and Denver. I'm not expecting Albuquerque to become any of those cities, but geeze, could we just at least try? I know that 'tude doesn't sit well with some on the list but oh well, I guess I just expect more.

Comment by Hunter on December 11, 2012 at 5:24pm

Hey, I was just happy to see the the County considering spending some of that 80% from the City money inside the City limits, as compared to ripping up agricultural land on Coors south of Rio Bravo.

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