A vacant lot in the International District is on its way to becoming a community-run grower’s market, thanks to a first-of-its-kind participatory budgeting project led by residents in City Council District 6.
Construction kicked off this week on the San Mateo/Kathryn International District Grower’s Market, the top vote-getter in the City’s Participatory Budgeting Albuquerque (PBABQ) pilot. The market will provide space for local growers, food distribution, and community programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and public services.
“This groundbreaking represents a commitment from the community members in District 6,” said Councilor Nichole L. Rogers, who launched the initiative after taking office in 2023. “The San Mateo/Kathryn International District Grower’s Market will address pressing food insecurities by improving access to fresh food for many of our district neighbors in need. It will also support programming at the site on days when the market isn’t in operation. The Grower’s Market, the One Stop Respite Station, and the other projects selected through our community’s PBABQ process, all reflect District 6 priorities.”
Rogers dedicated $1.5 million from her council set-asides to fund the PBABQ pilot. Over six months, residents submitted more than 240 ideas, which were narrowed to nine finalists. Voting wrapped up in April, with more than 1,150 residents — including youth and unhoused community members — casting ballots.
The Grower’s Market, submitted by residents Raul Villarreal and Brooke Bernini and championed by budget delegate William Clayton, earned the most support. Colleen Tsosie, a member of the PBABQ Steering Committee and the Grower’s Market team, said the experience opened her eyes to what it takes to build a market from the ground up.
“Our community stepped forward and formed Project Development Teams led by our Budget Delegates,” Tsosie said. “I didn’t know all that goes into a grower’s market at first. There are a lot of needs, including a certified kitchen. After this awesome Growers Market is built, it will have local farmers’ produce, a nearby certified kitchen, and an operations manager who will get it up and started.”
The first phase of construction is expected to be complete by April 2026. Highlights of the project include:
- A courtyard stage for community programs
- Solar panels and LED signage
- Water fountains and bottle-filling stations
- Lockers and respite services for unhoused residents
- A Portland Loo public restroom
- Walkways, benches, and transformable shipping containers
Existing storage units on the site will stay and be used as temporary storage for unhoused individuals working with Albuquerque Community Safety. A footbridge will connect the market to ACS facilities across a drainage channel.
“This innovative project is another example of our continued commitment to investing in the International District,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “This combines our desire to alleviate the lack of fresh food options in the area and create a place for families and local entrepreneurs to gather in the community.”
Additional projects selected through the PBABQ process include the One Stop Respite Station and the 5 Blocks for Life pedestrian safety project near Wilson Middle School. The restroom and respite station will be included in the Grower’s Market campus, while the pedestrian improvements could be funded through November’s general obligation bond election.
“Rethinking how we use spaces like this is key to revitalizing neighborhoods. The new ID Market will be useful, exciting and is designed to provide a safe space for people to gather,” said Chris Sanchez, Deputy Director of the Municipal Development Department. “We’re looking forward to this project, and then to discovering a new favorite burger or taco truck.”
Participatory budgeting is a six-step process that puts public spending decisions directly in the hands of residents. Learn more at pbabq.org.
