ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s a stretch of Menaul that leaves a lot to be desired. Boarded up windows, vacant lots, and decreasing business traffic are just a few problems business owners say are impacting the area of Menaul from I-25 to just before Carlisle. Now, the city is tossing around options for how to revitalize the area.
“We want to see more people, not only just hanging out in the area but staying in the hotels, frequenting the businesses that are there,” said Omega Delgado, Council Principal Planner for the City of Albuquerque Council Services.
Several years ago, the city set its sights on redeveloping that stretch of Menaul and has since completed a market study, as well as held a meeting with business and property owners to discuss ideas on how to address the issues impacting the area. “The councilors are being responsive to stakeholders saying the area is in decline, we need some assistance, what can be done,” Delgado said.
In their most recent meeting, the city gave an update on what options are on the table, with zoning changes being a focus. As it stands now, zoning requirements only allow for manufacturing and commercial building in that area; and over the years, hotels located off the road say they’ve seen businesses drop as vacancies increased, while restaurants and stores there are also seeing fewer and fewer customers.
“We see a lot of old vacant restaurants,” Delgado said. “We’re talking 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 square foot restaurants.”
By bringing more people to that stretch, the city hopes to revitalize once-bustling businesses or entice new investment to move in. To make that happen, city planners are talking about changing the zone type to mixed use, allowing for residential buildings.
“We really are looking at how we can couple the need for housing and the redevelopment opportunity in the area and mesh those two together,” Delgado explained.
Hotels in that area could also see a makeover in how they are used. “There’s a conversation of how can we convert some of the hotels and motels into partial housing or full housing,” Delgado added.
The city encourages any business or property owners in the area to reach out with any questions.
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