Action Alert on O-24-61

Support Bill O-24-61: Downtown Vacancy Ordinance

Summary of Bill O-24-61:
Bill O-24-61 is designed to address the vacant and underutilized properties in downtown Albuquerque, primarily focused on about 17 square blocks along Central Avenue, extending one block in either direction to Copper and Gold between 1st and 8th. This ordinance targets the most troublesome vacant properties in the area, which often sit idle due to speculation and absentee ownership. By implementing fees for owners who do not invest in or develop their properties, the bill aims to reduce land speculation, encourage investment, and stimulate the revitalization of downtown.

Why This Bill Matters:
This bill is a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of stagnation in Albuquerque’s downtown. It addresses the growing issue of properties sitting vacant despite massive public investments in infrastructure. As Chuck Marohn discusses in Escaping the Housing Trap, allowing properties to remain unused creates a financial burden on taxpayers while stunting growth and community vitality. Bill O-24-61 will hold absentee owners accountable, reduce vacancy, and encourage investment in ways that benefit the broader community.

By targeting a small but high-impact area for testing, this ordinance provides a model that could be expanded to other parts of the city, generating the kind of positive, value-adding development we want to see across Albuquerque. Importantly, it lacks the controversial provisions that were part of earlier drafts, making it a more practical and balanced solution.

Aligning with Strong Towns Values:
This bill aligns with the core principles of Strong Towns by promoting a financially resilient, adaptable, and community-focused approach to urban growth. It encourages smart, incremental development in areas already equipped with infrastructure, ensuring that investments pay off and that the city’s growth doesn’t spread its resources too thin. By addressing vacancy and speculation, the bill fosters a more productive and vibrant downtown.

What You Can Do:
We encourage you to reach out to your City Councilor and express your support for Bill O-24-61 and show up to city council to speak in favor of the bill on January 6th, 2025. Below is an email template to help you get started. Your voice matters in ensuring Albuquerque continues to grow in a way that works for everyone.

Email Template to City Councilor:

Subject: Support for Bill O-24-61: Downtown Vacancy Ordinance

Dear [Councilor's Name],

I am writing to express my strong support for Bill O-24-61, the Downtown Vacancy Ordinance. This important legislation targets vacant and underutilized properties in downtown Albuquerque, encouraging investment, reducing speculation, and revitalizing our city center.

By addressing these key areas of vacancy, this bill supports the efficient use of our public infrastructure and fosters the kind of dynamic, sustainable growth that Strong Towns principles advocate for. I believe this bill is a significant step in improving our city’s vibrancy and long-term resilience, and I urge you to support its passage.

Thank you for considering this crucial step toward a better Albuquerque.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[Your Address, if desired]

Take Action Now:
Contact your City Councilor today! Find your representative here: Contact your councilor
Join us in advocating for a more vibrant, sustainable downtown.

Read our open letter here: Our O-24-61 Open Letter