December 13th Updates

Strong Towns Albuquerque

January Meeting

Join Us for Our January Meeting!

Get Ready for the 2025 Legislative Session and set goals for the year ahead!

Mark your calendars! Our next Strong Towns ABQ meeting is happening on:

January 15th, 2025

6:00pm-7:30pm

505 Food Hall, Humble Coffee

505 Central Avenue NW, Downtown Albuquerque

This meeting will focus on prepping for the upcoming legislative session, where we aim to influence important discussions at the Roundhouse on urban and quality-of-life issues—especially housing.

Here’s what’s on the agenda:
Updates from our Housing Task Force
Discussion of Strong Towns ABQ’s goals for 2025
 

A collaborative session to strategize how we can make an impact

Whether you’re passionate about housing, transportation, or making Albuquerque a better place for everyone, this is a great opportunity to get involved.

We can’t wait to see you there and kick off the year with a strong start!

Albuquerque Bike and Trails Update

We’re in the final push to help shape Albuquerque’s transportation future! The Draft 2024 Bikeways and Trail Facilities Plan will go before the Albuquerque City Council on Monday, December 16, for adoption. This is the final step in setting our city's transportation goals for the coming years—and we need your help to ensure strong support for this transformative plan!

The plan prioritizes safer streets, expanded trails, and more equitable transportation options. It aligns with Strong Towns ABQ’s vision for a city where everyone—whether walking, biking, or rolling—can safely and conveniently get where they need to go.

How You Can Support the Plan:

• Sign the Open Letter: Join other supporters by adding your name to BikeABQ’s open letter here: bikeabq.org/bikeways-open-letter-2024. This letter will be shared with City Councilors ahead of the meeting.

• Spread the Word: Share this information with friends, neighbors, and colleagues who care about safer streets and better transportation options.

• Show Up at the City Council Meeting: Public comment can make a big impact! Meeting details will be available soon, so stay tuned for an Action Alert with more information on how to attend or provide online comments.

• Write your councilor if you can’t speak in person: Use this link to find your councilor’s contact information and let them know why this is such an important plan to support.

Why It Matters:

The 2024 Bikeways Plan is more than just a document—it’s a commitment to a safer, more accessible Albuquerque. It represents a step toward a transportation system that reduces car dependency, improves public safety, and creates equitable access for everyone.

Let’s show the Council and Mayor that our community is ready to support this vision and that we expect robust implementation of these goals. Together, we can help make Albuquerque a city where biking and walking are safe, enjoyable, and encouraged.

Learn to Advocate Effectively at the Legislature!

As we gear up for the legislative session, we know how important it is for Strong Towns ABQ members to have the tools to advocate for a stronger, more vibrant Albuquerque. That’s why we’re sharing this opportunity:

Effective Citizen Advocacy at the Legislature Hosted by the League of Women Voters of New Mexico
Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – Noon
Where: Webinar on Zoom – Open to the Public

Register Here: Webinar Registration

This training, hosted by the League of Women Voters of New Mexico, will help you:
Learn how to interact with legislators
Speak effectively at hearings
Advocate for your cause in impactful ways

Speakers include:

• Senator Carrie Hamblen (D-Doña Ana), Vice Chair of the Senate Tax, Business & Transportation Committee

• A Republican Representative (invited)

• Linda Siegle, longtime lobbyist and nonprofit advocate

Please note that this training focuses on the legislative process, so questions about specific issues won’t be permitted.

Whether you’re advocating for better housing, transportation, or urban policies, this webinar is a great chance to strengthen your advocacy skills.

December Office Hours

Wednesday, December 18th

Dripline Brewery, Wells Park

1320 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

6:00pm-7:30pm

Hosted by Brandi!

Office hours with a member of the Strong Towns ABQ team is an informal chance to chat about urban planning, community resilience, and how to build stronger, more vibrant towns. It’s a laid-back setting where you can ask questions and toss around ideas.

Comment on the I-25 S-Curve Project Before January 6th, 2025!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the December 3rd presentation on the I-25 S-Curve Study! Strong Towns ABQ members showed up in force, advocating for the no-build option and asking critical questions about traffic modeling, safety, and equity.

We remain deeply concerned about the proposed build options, which prioritize highway expansions, high speeds, and frontage roads—choices that would divide neighborhoods, increase traffic, and worsen pollution. 

Both designs neglect safer, proven alternatives like speed cameras and fail to meet best practices for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Let’s make our voices heard! Submit your comments by January 6, 2025 to oppose the build options and advocate for a safer, more sustainable no-build alternative.

How to Comment:

• Complete their Survey at this link

• Email: study@i25scurve.com

• Call: 505-600-2232

Sample Comment and More Information:

For more information and an example sample comment, visit the call to action on our website at this link: I-25 Action Alert

City Council Updates: Key Proposals to Watch

The upcoming City Council meeting on December 16th is shaping up to be a big one for Albuquerque, with several significant proposals on the agenda that may interest Strong Towns ABQ members.

In addition to the Bikeways and Trails Plan, which is moving into its final stage, the Council will also address these items:

• O-57 "The Shopping Cart Ordinance"
  A proposal to require businesses to secure shopping carts or face fees and penalties, while also criminalizing possession of shopping carts outside their intended use.

• O-58 "The Camping Ordinance"
  This proposal introduces new penalties for camping in public spaces.

• O-56 "The Park Ordinance"
  A proposal to ban adults from being within 50 feet of a playground unless accompanied by a child under 12, and to expand restrictions on camping or camping equipment in city parks.
  
  

We expect these items to lead to a lengthy and lively discussion, and we encourage members to attend or speak if you feel strongly about any of these issues. It’s a great opportunity to advocate for thoughtful, inclusive policies.

Revitalization for Downtown

At the same meeting, the Council will also vote on proposals to amend Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas (MRA) surrounding Downtown. Included in these amendments is a proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, a tool that could play a key role in revitalizing Albuquerque’s urban core.

How TIFs Work

TIFs allocate a portion of property tax revenue from new development within a designated area to fund public infrastructure, such as streetscapes, utilities, and amenities, over a set period. By reinvesting the increased property tax revenue directly into the area, TIFs encourage growth while reducing the financial burden on the city’s general fund.

A Proven Model for Success
Cities like Tucson have used TIFs effectively to transform their Downtown areas. Tucson’s TIF has funded key projects such as new housing, cultural institutions, and public spaces, creating a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban environment that has attracted new residents and businesses.

A Strong Towns Perspective
While TIFs can be a powerful tool, Strong Towns National recommends using them judiciously and selectively. They work best when part of a larger strategic plan and paired with reforms such as relaxing incremental development rules city-wide, to ensure that the benefits of revitalization are broad and sustainable.

To dive deeper into how TIFs can be used effectively (and their potential pitfalls), check out this article: Is TIF Always Bad?.

A Meaningful Opportunity for Albuquerque
If implemented well, this TIF proposal could provide the funding needed to support Downtown Albuquerque’s long-term redevelopment, making the area more attractive for housing, commerce, and public use. This aligns with Strong Towns values of creating walkable, livable spaces that benefit everyone in the community.

Want to Voice Your Views?

Strong Towns members interested in speaking on these items or simply following along can view the full agenda and sign up to speak by visiting the City Council Meeting page. You can also use this Find Your Councilor Tool to email your City Councilor directly and share your thoughts on these proposals.

January Task Force Meetings

Housing Task Force

January 9th, 2025

6:00pm-7:30pm

Little Bear Coffee Nob Hill

3123 Central NE

I-25 Task Force

January 27th, 2025

6:00pm-7:00pm

Flock of Moons Brewing Company

111 Harvard Drive SE

Outer Districts Meeting Group

Time and Date: To be determined
Location: To be determined

From Strong Towns:

Recent news has spotlighted highway expansion and the future of the Highway Trust Fund, aligning with our opposition to the I-25 expansion through Downtown Albuquerque. Whether you're new to this issue or seeking deeper insights, check out these resources on the Strong Towns approach to highway projects. They provide valuable perspectives on building safer, more connected communities.