Last Thursday, January 23, Albuquerque's Mayor Tim Keller signed into law a groundbreaking bill that will cause the city to take one more step in revitalizing Downtown Albuquerque. Now, property owners who allow their buildings to sit empty or go into disrepair will get penalties, and housing and businesses hope for new life.
Speaking at the press conference, Keller corrected a common misconception about Downtown Albuquerque.
"People say that 'Downtown is dying and this and that.' It's not. It has challenges, but, as you can see, there are businesses, there are great places to go. This place is very much alive, it just has challenges," Keller emphasized.
Overcoming Challenges to Pass the Bill
Its journey to law had not been without hurdles. The legislation, sponsored by Councilor Joaquín Baca, faced steep opposition earlier in attempts to get the bill on the books in 2023. He had proposed similar versions of the bill in September and October but failed.
An earlier draft included a contentious no-obstruction ordinance, barring people from lying or sitting on sidewalks. It drew criticism from the public and local advocacy groups as targeting homeless individuals specifically. The bill that passed was one shorn of that language in a revised version; after its passage, it won wide support at the first meeting of the year of the City Council.
Looking back on the process, Baca said he took the criticism to heart and collaborated with stakeholders to shape a version of the bill that would assuage public concerns.
"I couldn't find a sponsor for this for years," Keller said, adding that Baca's persistence was crucial to getting the legislation over the finish line.
A Symbol of Change: The Gizmo Building
The news conference was staged outside the long-vacant Gizmo building, owned by the Church of Scientology and a decades-long symbol of Downtown's struggles. Councilor Baca pointed to the property as an example of the kind of neglect the new bill would tackle.
The Church of Scientology did not return calls or respond to requests for comment on the property or its possible future use under the new law.
A Greater Vision for Downtown
The newly passed legislation is part of a greater vision to transform Downtown Albuquerque into an active hub. It's a means for the city to get tough on property owners that let their buildings deteriorate or remain vacant for too long, so the areas can be opened to housing opportunities and new businesses.
Yet Councilor Baca is not stopping there. He announced that in a few months, he plans to introduce another bill to deal with the related problem of obstructed sidewalks-the very provision stripped from this bill as a tactic for its passage. vídeo
A Collaborative Future
Mayor Keller also alluded to the difficulty of building consensus among city leaders themselves. Though he would not identify past councilors who had voted against the legislation, he did say change often takes time and the right leadership.
Former Councilor Isaac Benton, Downtown's representative for 18 years, has been at the core of leading the battle to improve the downtown area. He's retired, and Baca took the reins in that district, continuing much of the legacy by working towards realizing the potential that Downtown Albuquerque has.
The signing of this new vacancy bill marks a major first step in the rejuvenation efforts of Albuquerque's Downtown area. It calls for measures of property owner accountability, while presenting future plans as city leaders try to stay hopeful Downtown will someday soon return.
As Mayor Keller said, "This place is very much alive." And with the new legislation in effect, it's poised to thrive in the years to come.