Albuquerque City Council will tackle a full agenda Monday night, reviewing the Downtown Core Vacancy Report and voting on Gateway housing expansion, affordable housing funding and substance abuse treatment contracts affecting hundreds of residents.
The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in Vincent E. Griego Chambers. Councilors will reconsider two $1.8 million Gateway Center contracts for a 142-bed expansion for people experiencing homelessness, vote on more than $200,000 in substance abuse treatment contracts and act on a resolution fast-tracking affordable housing projects in District 2.
Monday’s council session underscores the urgency of addressing economic recovery, housing shortages and public health needs.
It follows a string of defeats for Mayor Tim Keller’s housing initiatives, including the 4-1 rejection of his opt-in zoning proposal and the 3-2 defeat of Safe Outdoor Space ordinance amendments that would have made it easier for churches and nonprofits to run homeless encampments.
The council will reconsider two $1.8 million Gateway Center contracts deferred Aug. 4 over transparency concerns and unconfirmed state funding. The agreements with Chicanos Por La Causa and Community Bridges would expand the center’s capacity from 50 to 192 beds, adding 50 for men and 92 for women.
Councilors questioned why the city sought approval before securing $3.6 million in state funding. “We need stronger collaboration and transparency from the administration,” said Councilor Joaquín Baca.
The first comprehensive Downtown Core Vacancy Report will be presented to councilors as a part of an effort to enforce the new Downtown Vacant Premises Ordinance, which took effect July 1.
Sponsored by Councilor Joaquín Baca, the law requires owners of unused properties in the Downtown Core to register their buildings, obtain a vacant building maintenance license and keep them secure and maintained.
The ordinance targets blight and aims to activate empty buildings to boost economic development in the area bounded by Eighth Street, Copper Avenue, Gold Avenue and First Street. A city survey of 137 properties found 20 unoccupied, with 14 issued Notices of Violation and several others under review.
Two substance use treatment contracts (EC-25-459, EC-25-460) will come before the councilors Monday. Albuquerque Health Services and Engender Inc. are seeking approval for FY26 voucher programs exceeding $100,000 each. ABH could receive up to $383,676 annually, and Engender up to $220,000, drawn from the city’s $881,676 treatment voucher pool.
Baca is pushing for immediate approval of Resolution R-25-177, which would administer $7.56 million in state Capital Outlay funds for affordable housing projects in his district, including the Lomas Towers Apartments, The Romero and GIZMO Artspace. The resolution also directs city officials to determine if the projects qualify as “Qualifying Grantees.”
Get Involved
The City Council meeting is at 5 p.m. Aug. 18 in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers, basement level of the City of Albuquerque Government Center, 1 Civic Plaza NW.
To speak during public comment, you must sign up by 4 p.m. the day of the meeting. If you don’t have internet access, call (505) 768-3100 for help.
Join virtually:
- Zoom link: cabq.zoom.us/j/84979163903
- Webinar ID: 849 7916 3903
- Phone: (669) 444-9171, then enter the Webinar ID
Watch live:
- Comcast Channel 16 (GOVTV)
- Stream at cabq.gov/govtv
On YouTube at youtube.com/@GOVTVBoardsCommissionMeetings