Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM
Service Interruption due to the Special Event "Nob Hill Stroll" - Again
Ok, I went through the last "stroll" experiment and I was left with the impression that things would be better the next time.
Besides the problems with parking, traffic, and heat; the lack of bus service for the residents was a killer. All three routes are discontinued from Girrard to San Mateo yet again with no substitute stops.
I just checked the ABQRIDE web page. At least there is a mention of the "service interuption", however this is the same problem from the last time. Though there is supposed to be some sort of shuttle along the route, I guess NOT provided by ABQRIDE since it is not mentioned ... residents are left clueless again. ABQRIDE signage did not help any the last time.
The service interuption extends for about 1.5 miles. For elderly residents, handicapped residents, and others with difficulty walking for any reason ( small children for one ) I find it unacceptable to totally eliminate regular bus service instead of providing temporary stops along the route change. What if someone's destination is other than the activities in NobHill or they need to take the 766 to the Mall or Albertson's or just the 66 locally?
Again the focus of the organizers are to provide parking for vehicular traffic with out regard to the impact on the local residents who use or are dependant on transit.
I made a comment on today's Morning Fix as well.
Besides the problems with parking, traffic, and heat; the lack of bus service for the residents was a killer. All three routes are discontinued from Girrard to San Mateo yet again with no substitute stops.
I just checked the ABQRIDE web page. At least there is a mention of the "service interuption", however this is the same problem from the last time. Though there is supposed to be some sort of shuttle along the route, I guess NOT provided by ABQRIDE since it is not mentioned ... residents are left clueless again. ABQRIDE signage did not help any the last time.
The service interuption extends for about 1.5 miles. For elderly residents, handicapped residents, and others with difficulty walking for any reason ( small children for one ) I find it unacceptable to totally eliminate regular bus service instead of providing temporary stops along the route change. What if someone's destination is other than the activities in NobHill or they need to take the 766 to the Mall or Albertson's or just the 66 locally?
Again the focus of the organizers are to provide parking for vehicular traffic with out regard to the impact on the local residents who use or are dependant on transit.
I made a comment on today's Morning Fix as well.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bluegoo on -
why not only allow the bus thur and no cars ? At a slower pace say 15 mph ?
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Permalink Reply by FearlessWeeder on -
Great suggestion, Bluegoo. Particularly because there are two sides of the street and that could make it easier to keep one side free completely. Thanks for that.
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Permalink Reply by Brendan on -
I see I wasn't clear. By "what?" I mean "what the hell are you talking about?" As in, "I suspect you are making this up." Last time they tried this Sunday shop and stroll you insinuated that the NHBA was going door to door demanding money from residents and threatening people, now you're suggesting that there's an organized campaign of bribing the mayor. Please cite some actual facts if you have them.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Goldbarg on -
It's very hard work to start a business. Many business owners struggle, and most do not have health insurance. Watch your assumptions...
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Permalink Reply by Jason Goldbarg on
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In my opinion, the NHBA is trying to create more of a community and for people to take advantage of a few blocks of walking without having to negotiate cross-walks. I appreciate that it is going to be inconvenient for some people, but there are always alternatives. And it's really not just about making money.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Goldbarg on
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And the businesses that are open - are these people not working? I don't follow you...
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Permalink Reply by Brendan on
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I'd say Nob Hill caters to UNM graduates and professors with disposable income. It'd be nice to see east NH get built up as a place for the actual needs of day to day living since the west end doesn't do much of that. I don't know if the sunday shop and stroll is a good idea or not yet- but it sounds like more work needs to be done on bus service during the shutdown.
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Permalink Reply by Martini Mike on -
Hey- um... when is this thing?! First I have heard about it. They should advertise.
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Permalink Reply by Martini Mike on
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Just answered my own question! Gotta love Google.
Front page of the city's website.
"Mayor Chávez is proud to present a great family event, taking place this Sunday, August 24th, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Albuquerque's historic Nob Hill neighborhood.
Join us for traffic-free shopping this weekend at the Nob Hill Sunday Shop and Stroll. Central will be blocked to all motorized traffic between Girard and Washington Avenue, providing a safe and pleasant environment for friends and families to shop and stroll.
Nob Hill will be alive with live music, sidewalk sales, and pedicabs. Take advantage of our wonderful Albuquerque weather, and get outside!
A lot can change in 50 years... come see Nob Hill now!"
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Permalink Reply by Martini Mike on
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Exactly. Now if I was one of the business owners in the area I would have gathered the others to help promote. I think most people only know about the Holiday Shop and Stroll.
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Permalink Reply by usemoreglue on -
I agree that eliminating all bus stops (especially the 66) along the way is ridiculous, however, I don't see it as grounds for shutting down something that seems more or less wholesome and beneficial to the community. While I agree that Nob Hill tends to be on the irrationally expensive side, it's still nice to have an interesting part of town where even if you have very little or no money you can stroll about with friends and family, take in free music, and a general sense of community. It seems to me that the more support local businesses get, the more room there will be for businesses that don't need to sell things for an arm and a leg to succeed, and beyond that, the more room there will be for functional businesses to open and compete with the abundance of chains that seem to dominate the city.
That said, I also think it's ridiculous that they're holding the even during the HOTTEST most miserable hours of the day. We live in the desert....which means that especially in the summer, the most beautiful time of day is when the sun begins to set and alleviate some of our heat-drenched misery. The last Sunday stroll I saw around there was pretty desolate, it was around 3pm, so perhaps people were hiding from the sun still. I think the stroll would make more sense if it were held for fewer hours in the evening, as people make there way to dinner/coffee/movies, etc. The reason the Winter stroll is so successful and fun is because of the bustle of locals and performers, when the stroll is held every Sunday for seven hours, the density of those in attendance diminishes greatly, taking away a lot of the intended "vibe."
Why can't the bus stops for that segment of Central be diverted to Silver or Campus? Having to walk a block North or South seems a lot more reasonable than having to walk 10 blocks East or West.
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