November 26th Updates

November Meeting

Strong Towns ABQ: One Year Stronger!

November marked the one-year anniversary of Strong Towns ABQ, and we celebrated in true urbanist fashion—with cake, games, and a look toward the future!

We took time to reflect on how far we’ve come as a group. From small beginnings to making an impact on conversations about housing, transportation, and equity in Albuquerque, it’s clear we’re building momentum.

Member Engagement & Surveys
This year, we want to dig deeper into what it means to be a member of Strong Towns ABQ. At the meeting, we launched surveys to hear directly from you about what’s most important and where we should focus our energy. Your feedback will shape our next steps and help us strengthen our mission. Find the links to these surveys here:

Membership Experience Survey

Districts Breakout Feedback Survey

A Commitment to Longevity: 501(c)(3) Status
We were also excited to announce that we’re pursuing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status! We wanted to signal our dedication to building a stronger Albuquerque for years to come. It will allow us to stay flexible, transparent, and ready to tackle the challenges ahead while also allowing us to overcome bureaucratic obstacles. We also hope this will contribute to streamlining our processes for future members and leaders!

Here’s to another year of working together for a resilient, thriving Albuquerque!

Homework

Think about what has changed over the past year.

Think about what has not changed.

Think about what you want changed, and where you want to see Albuquerque go.

Find one small step along that journey.

And do it.

No General Meeting in December

No December General Meeting – See You in January!

As the year winds down, Strong Towns ABQ will be taking a break from general meetings in December. We will return on January 15th, 2025 with renewed energy to strategize and set goals for the next few years of our community.

January’s meeting will also kick off preparations for the upcoming legislative session, where critical issues like traffic safety and housing will take center stage. We’ll discuss how our group can advocate effectively and make a difference.

Enjoy the holidays, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year!

I-25 S-Curve Public Meeting

The New Mexico Department of Transportation will be hosting a public house meeting concerning the I-25 S-Curve project on December 3rd, 2024.

Location: CNM Smith Brasher Hall (717 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106) 

Time: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• 5–5:30 p.m. Open House 

• 5:30–6:30 p.m. Presentation and Q&A 

• 6:30–7:30 p.m. Open House

The proposed expansion of the I-25 S-curve remains a top priority for Strong Towns ABQ’s advocacy efforts. We believe that highway expansions, like this one, fail to address long-term traffic challenges and come with significant safety, environmental, and community costs.

Key issues with the current plan include:

• Induced Demand: More lanes lead to more traffic and congestion over time, not less.

• Speed and Safety: Increasing speed limits within city limits will result in more fatalities. Speed safety cameras and strict enforcement of a 55 mph limit are proven solutions that prioritize lives over convenience.

• Pedestrian Dangers: The current design lacks safe pedestrian and bike facilities. Existing underpasses, like the one on Gibson, fail to meet federal standards for safety and accessibility. Future designs must follow the Federal Highway Administration’s Bikeway Selection Guide to ensure safe multimodal access.

We’re asking critical questions that the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has yet to answer:

• Has a comprehensive traffic study been conducted to justify the expansion?

• What’s the plan for when congestion returns after expansion?

• How will pedestrian and bike facilities be improved to meet federal standards?

The bottom line: Expanding the S-curve won’t solve Albuquerque’s transportation problems. It’s time for smarter, community-centered solutions that prioritize safety, sustainability, and long-term planning.

Take Action!
NMDOT is hosting a public meeting about the project on December 3rd, 2024. This is a critical opportunity to make your voice heard. Attend the meeting, or submit your comments online to show your opposition to the current plans and advocate for meaningful alternatives.

Let’s make it clear that Albuquerque deserves better than outdated highway expansions.

Sample email or comment:

Dear New Mexico Department of Transportation,

I oppose the proposed expansion of the I-25 S-curve. Highway expansions like this fail to solve long-term congestion due to induced demand—more lanes lead to more traffic, not less. Instead of short-term fixes, we need sustainable solutions that reduce car dependency and invest in public transit, biking, and walking infrastructure.

Raising speed limits within city limits is dangerous. Even if the number of crashes decreases, higher speeds as emphasized in this plan will make the crashes that do occur far more severe, resulting in more injuries and fatalities. We should prioritize safety with measures like speed cameras and better pedestrian and bike facilities that meet federal standards, especially at underpasses like Lead, Coal, and Gibson. The current design fails to protect all road users, and it’s time to focus on smarter, safer alternatives that prepare Albuquerque for a sustainable future.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Upcoming Strong Towns ABQ Task Force meetings

Housing Task Force:
Thursday, December 5th

6:00pm-7:00pm

Little Bear Coffee - Nob Hill

3123 Central Avenue NE 

Interested in learning more about housing policy, best practices, global success stories, and the Strong Towns approach? Want to help advocate for our local advocacy efforts on housing? Or just want more opportunities to nerd out about cities while learning together with Strong Towns? Our meetings are low-barrier and everyone is welcome to join. Our Housing Task Force is working to keep their finger on the pulse of housing issues in New Mexico and to keep our community up to date with calls to action, education, and opportunities to advocate. 

December Office Hours: 

Tuesday, December 10th

6:00pm-7:30pm

Hosted by Brandi

Albuquerque Public House - Nob Hill

201 Hermosa Dr NE

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.

Upcoming Webinar on Street Safety 

The Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety will host their next webinar on December 11th at 11:00am. It will be focused on Street Safety and will feature Wes Marshall, author of Killed By A Traffic Engineer and Bruce Appleyard, author of Livable Streets 2.0. You can find out more about the webinar series here and register for free for this event here.