Streetscape Construction for International Marketplace

Councilor Garduño was joined by Mayor Martin Chavez, Senator-Elect Tim Keller, Neighborhood leader Joanne Landry, and City Redevelopment staff at the groundbreaking for street scape improvements for the International Marketplace. The International Marketplace is the area south of Central and Louisiana.

The construction will include alteration of sidewalks, curb and gutter, asphalt, banners, planters, installation of greenery, irrigation system, site furniture, artistic amenities and street lighting.

The design will improve pedestrian orientation and provide a distinct identity. Below are some renderings of pillars that will be placed in the steet scape.

City Council District 6 Coalition's Recommendations for EXPO NM

City Council District Six Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
600 San Pablo St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2008

For further information contact Nancy Bearce
Coalition President (505) 254-7841

SE Heights Neighborhood Groups Issue Recommendations for Expo NM

ALBUQUERQUE - As part of the RFI process and in anticipation of the Governor’s visit to Expo NM this Friday at 1:30 pm at the African American Performing Arts Center, surrounding neighborhood groups and elected officials have outlined several desired themes to help guide Expo New Mexico's future planning. Earlier last month, 23 citizens representing 7 neighborhood associations, 4 organizations and 5 public officials gathered for a brainstorming session and are pleased to make the following recommendations. Ideas for a new plan for Expo NM include:

1. Keep the State Fair

2. Provide more job opportunities for area residents and be an asset for creating a
community economic engine

3. Incorporate “Best of " ideas from other cities, i.e. Central Park, NYC;
Millennium Park, Chicago; Soulard Market, St. Louis

4. Be an International/Cultural Destination (cultural centers, sister city cultures,
International Consulate offices, etc.)

5. Include a Rt 66/Central Avenue Promenade

6. Home to a Permanent Grower’s Market/Flea Market (open, inviting, public) such as
the Soulard Market, St. Louis

7. Be a Daily and Year-round Destination including Retail, Restaurants and
Government Offices

8. Provide Year-round Family recreation that is community supported and include all
age activities for children, teens, adults and elders

9. Provide Green Open walkways, lighted and no walls

10. A World Class Event Center like O2 in London that is multi-functional

11. Incorporate thoughtful mixed use planning with a parking garage, gate re-designs,
multi-modal transportation, workable traffic flows, and safe

12. Use Green Building and alternative energy, i.e. solar panels on the covered
grower’s market structure and utilize local companies

13. Include Athletic Fields for a variety of community sports such as soccer, Little
League, etc

14. Include an Equestrian Center, depending on Mesa Del Sol plans

15. Exclude ideas for established long-term housing but consider State Fair housing
and ‘artist in residence’ programs like the Santa Fe Opera

16. Follow a process that permanently includes Neighborhoods and other stakeholders

" The Fairgrounds re-development will impact area residents and neighborhoods for 50 years or more. The Governor is well served by having engaged citizens, their sharing of ideas and the value of their input," says Nancy Bearce, Coalition President.

"What to do with Expo NM was an important issue in the recent primary, I'm pleased our district is proactively voicing its ideas. I'm looking forward to working on this in the legislature," says State Senate District 17 Senator - Elect Tim Keller.

"I am excited to work with the Governor and community leaders on promoting a re-vitalized and vibrant Expo New Mexico that will serve the local neighborhoods as well as the entire state,” says State Representative Al Park, District 26.





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Inspirational Primary

This past Tuesday was an highly anticipated Primary Election for the State of New Mexico and set the ground heading into the November General Election and next years Legislative Session. In an unprecedented year where we have a U.S. Senate seat open, all three U.S. Representative seats open, and many State officials being challenged for their seats, Tuesday was the breaking point for many incumbents and candidates.

In what I view as a true watershed moment in New Mexico, many grassroots campaigns were able get into communities and start the engine for what turned into the locomotive for Community Driven Change in Local Politics.

Voters arrived in high numbers to vote for the community based candidates like; Former City Councilor for District 6 Martin Heinrich, whom won the Democratic Primary for the 1st Congressional District. He now will face Darren White in November.Eric Griego, another former City Councilor, beat incumbent James Taylor for the State Senate seat for District 14. We will see Eric in Santa Fe next year, because he is unopposed for the General Election. The State Senate District 17 seat will now be held be Tim Keller, whom was selected over incumbent Shannon Robinson and like Griego, Tim is unopposed in the General Election. Maybe the most exciting victory was union organizer Eleanor Chavez being voted into State Representative District 13 by beating incumbent Dan Silva. Many viewed it as a major upset but Eleanor was able to gain grassroots support, as well as mobilize new voters which ultimately proved the difference. Like above Eleanor is unopposed for the November election, so we will also see Eleanor in Santa Fe next year.

I would like to congratulate all the winners of the Primaries on Tuesday. It was an exciting and inspirational day for all New Mexicans, especially in the Albuquerque area. I look forward to working with all these grassroots-community based Representatives.

I believe nobody could have summed up "Grassroots-Tuesday" any better than the community lead State Representative Eleanor Chavez, whom told her community supporters on Tuesday night;

"This is not my seat....this is OUR SEAT."


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