Letter to the EPC regarding the Menaul Redesignation

Dear Members of the Environmental Planning Commission,

On behalf of Strong Towns Albuquerque, we write in full support of the proposed amendment to reclassify a portion of Menaul Boulevard from a “Multi-Modal Corridor” to a “Major Transit Corridor” in the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan.

This proposed change aligns with both the vision and the practical recommendations of the ABQ RIDE Forward Network Plan, a critical framework for updating our city’s transit system for the 21st century. By recognizing Menaul’s evolving role as a key east-west connector and high-frequency route, this amendment enables our Comp Plan to reflect how transit is being prioritized on the ground and reflects our ridership and transit needs. That consistency supports predictable, coherent land use policy.

This reclassification will also bolster the momentum of the Menaul Metropolitan Redevelopment Area. This area has already seen significant investment and visioning as a vibrant, walkable district that serves hotel guests, workers, and local residents. Today, much of Menaul functions as a “stroad”—a hybrid between a street and a road that moves cars quickly but fails to serve people well. This amendment helps transform Menaul from an unsafe, car-centric corridor into one that supports walkability, transit, and neighborhood vitality. 

This change does not mean one-size-fits-all development. On the contrary, it enables a more thoughtful, incremental approach—one that allows housing and businesses to grow near transit in a context-sensitive way. That means buildings designed with people in mind, transitions that respect existing neighborhoods, and opportunities for the “missing middle” housing that’s been largely absent from our city for decades.

Strong Towns ABQ is a grassroots, volunteer-led group committed to building a stronger, more resilient city. Our membership represents every ZIP code in Albuquerque, including a large number of residents who live in the districts directly affected by this proposal. We advocate for incremental, people-centered development that builds long-term financial health and equitable growth. This corridor-level policy amendment helps achieve that by:

• Supporting transit-oriented land use that lowers car dependency and infrastructure costs

• Encouraging new mixed-use and residential development near frequent transit

• Enhancing pedestrian safety and access, especially around stops and intersections

• Strengthening the case for higher-frequency service and better bus stop design

• Aligning citywide planning goals with on-the-ground redevelopment opportunities

We urge approval of this amendment to ensure that our city’s most important land use document, the Comprehensive Plan, stays in step with the investments we are making in mobility, housing, and neighborhood vitality.

Sincerely,

Strong Towns Albuquerque Leadership Board