What is Bill O-24-42?

We wanted to update you on an important piece of legislation currently being considered by the Albuquerque City Council: Bill O-42, proposed by Councilor Baca. This bill aims to revitalize downtown Albuquerque by addressing the growing issue of vacant and dilapidated buildings. It introduces measures to encourage property owners to either develop or sell their properties, ensuring that downtown can become a more vibrant, active, and safer place for everyone.

What the Bill Aims to Do:

• Incentivize Development: Property owners would face penalties for keeping buildings vacant or allowing them to fall into disrepair unless they make active progress toward development.

• Enforce Aesthetic and Safety Standards: The bill establishes minimum standards for building maintenance, which will help enhance the overall appearance and safety of downtown.

• Empower Accountability: It allows property owners to take legal action against neighbors whose neglected properties negatively affect their own.

What We Like: After polling our membership, we found unanimous support for this bill. Key reasons for support include:

• It promotes economic growth by unlocking opportunities for new businesses and housing developments.

• It improves public safety and aesthetics by ensuring vacant buildings are properly maintained.

• It fosters community revitalization by returning unused spaces to productive use, making downtown more vibrant and welcoming.

Key Concern: While our membership largely supports the bill, one area that raised concern was the “No Obstruction Zone” provision. This section of the bill penalizes individuals for blocking sidewalks, which many of our members feel unfairly targets unhoused individuals. A large number of those polled expressed opposition to this aspect of the bill, citing a need for more compassionate solutions, such as investment in housing and support services, rather than fines or penalties.

Our Official Response: As an organization, we will be submitting a letter to the City Council in support of Bill O-42, reflecting the unanimous support from our members. However, we have also registered our opposition to the "No Obstruction Zone" section as written, urging the council to amend it in favor of a more equitable solution. You can find a copy of our letter attached to this email.

We are excited about the potential this bill has to transform our downtown, and we will continue to engage with the City Council to advocate for meaningful, equitable changes that benefit all residents.

Take Action: We encourage you to make your voice heard! Reach out to your City Council member to express your support for Bill O-42 and share any concerns you may have about the sidewalk obstruction provision. Your involvement is crucial in ensuring that our downtown is revitalized in a way that is fair and inclusive.

• You can find your City Council member here.

• If you’re able, please call or email your councilor to let them know how you feel about this bill.

  • Find their contact information below! 

Every voice matters in this important conversation, and together, we can help shape the future of Downtown Albuquerque.

The bill is likely to be heard, debated, and voted upon this Monday, the 16th! 

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in Strong Towns ABQ!

Sample email of Support

Need help drafting an email of support or knowing what to say when you call? Feel free to adapt the below letter template to suit your views on this issue! 

Subject: Support for Downtown Vacancy Bill O-42

Dear Councilor [Councilor Name],

I am writing on behalf of StrongTownsABQ to express our support for Councilor Baca’s proposed Downtown Vacancy Bill (O-42). This bill is a crucial step toward revitalizing downtown Albuquerque, encouraging active development and addressing vacant and dilapidated properties. A vibrant and well-maintained downtown is key to our community's success, and this bill will help achieve that.

Key reasons I support this bill:

• Economic Growth: By reducing long-term vacancies and encouraging property development, the bill creates opportunities for new businesses and housing, boosting the local economy.

• Public Safety and Aesthetics: Enforcing maintenance standards will reduce hazards, improve the appearance of downtown, and make it safer for everyone.

• Community Revitalization: Bringing unused spaces back into productive use will foster a more vibrant downtown, benefiting both residents and visitors.

However, I have concerns regarding the “No Obstruction Zone” provision. Penalizing individuals for obstructing sidewalks may unfairly target unhoused people. We believe addressing homelessness requires a more compassionate approach, such as investment in affordable housing and supportive services, rather than fines or imprisonment.

I support this bill and encourage its adoption, with revisions to the sidewalk obstruction provision to better align with equity and housing solutions.

Thank you for your work to improve our downtown.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Other Hints to Help Tailor Your Letter to Your City Councilor:

When writing to your City Councilor about the Downtown Vacancy Bill (O-42), consider tailoring your message to reflect their views on issues like business development, downtown revitalization, public safety, and housing. Below are some ways you can strengthen your letter and anticipate possible objections:

• Emphasize Economic Growth and Business Attraction: Many councilors prioritize economic development and revitalization. You can highlight how O-42 would unlock valuable property downtown for new businesses and housing, helping attract investment and increase local commerce. Point out that revitalizing underutilized spaces will lead to more jobs, economic activity, and make the area more attractive to both local businesses and tourists.

• Public Safety and Community Improvement: Some councilors may be particularly concerned with the safety and aesthetics of downtown. You could mention that neglected, vacant properties often become magnets for crime and unsafe conditions, and O-42’s enforcement of maintenance standards will improve public safety and make downtown a more welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.

• Equity and Inclusion in Downtown Redevelopment: For councilors focused on equity, you can explain that revitalizing vacant and dilapidated properties opens the door to creating affordable housing or community spaces. Suggest that O-42 will help make downtown more inclusive, improving quality of life for a wider range of residents, including those who rely on accessible public spaces.

• Anticipating Concerns About Overreach: Some councilors may raise concerns about the bill's regulatory scope, fearing it could be too punitive. To address this, you could explain that the bill provides property owners with clear paths to compliance, including opportunities to bring properties up to code before penalties are imposed. Additionally, point out that neglected properties harm adjacent owners and drag down property values, so this bill levels the playing field for responsible owners.

• Support for Affordable Housing Solutions: If your councilor has a focus on homelessness or housing, emphasize the need for abundant, affordable housing as part of the solution to downtown’s challenges. Mention that while you support O-42 as a tool for revitalization, you also urge the council to consider parallel investments in housing to address root causes of homelessness, instead of focusing on punitive measures like the No Obstruction Zone.

Feel free to adjust your letter to highlight the aspects of the bill that best align with your councilor’s priorities. By connecting the bill to their specific values and goals, you can increase the chances of a positive reception to your message.

Contact Information for Albuquerque City Council:

Please feel free to read our official letter to Albuquerque City Council regarding this bill below:

Other upcoming events:

I-25 Gibson Interchange Reconstruction Project
Join Councilor Nichole Rogers and NM DOT to open the discussion on the planned I-25 Gibson Interchange Reconstruction Project.

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Location: Herman Sanchez Community Center (1830 William Street SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102)

A presentation and Q&A will be hosted at 6:30 p.m., with an open house format before and after, where the project team will be available to answer questions.

Winrock Market

Councilor Fiebelkorn and ABQRide will be hosting a market at Winrock Town Center this Saturday, from 11:00am to 1:00pm to celebrate and support free fares for our local transit system. Transit riders who visit the market can get free prizes as supplies last! 

And don’t forget, our next Strong Towns ABQ Meeting is next week, Wednesday the 18th at 5:30pm! Note that we have moved the meeting 30 minutes earlier than usual to accommodate the venue’s other reservations. Make sure to save it in your calendar now (if you aren’t already following our StrongTownsABQ Calendar) to remember! We will be meeting at:

Juno Brewery and Café

1501 1st Street NW

Albuquerque, NM 87102

We will be welcoming Generation Elevate New Mexico to speak at our next meeting and share their work in promoting smart, positive, and sustainable development in our community. They also are working to encourage an embrace of a pro-growth mindset in Albuquerque. Find out more about their organization and their advocacy goals on their website and find out how to follow their work! 

We look forward to seeing everyone again next week and learning more about GENM and their initiatives!