Jesse Jones, nm.news, Author at City Desk ABQ

Pictured are the Route 66 Flats, a new affordable housing apartment complex being built in Albuquerque’s westside near 98th.

Albuquerque’s new opt-in zoning plan aims to ease housing crunch

A proposed resolution, sponsored by City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, who introduced it on behalf of Mayor Tim Keller, still needs committee approval but could allow property owners to opt in to rezone for denser or mixed-use housing as part of a broader push to address the housing shortage. The city’s voluntary rezoning plan would let […]

Mayor Tim Keller speaks during a press conference on Bosque and open space fire prevention Tuesday, June 24, at Tingley Beach. City officials urged public vigilance after a string of suspected arsons prompted new patrols and technology deployments ahead of the Fourth of July.

Albuquerque

Multiple fires spark Bosque crackdown

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 25, 2025June 26, 2025

City officials are asking residents to help prevent fires in the Bosque after a string of suspected arsons triggered expanded patrols, new surveillance tools and a crackdown ahead of the Fourth of July. At a press conference at Tingley Beach, Mayor Tim Keller said multiple fires over the past week were human-caused, including one tied […]

Burqueños can expect ramped-up patrols and enforcement over the Fourth of July holiday to curb illegal fireworks and prevent fires in high-risk areas like the Bosque and foothills.

Albuquerque

Albuquerque ramps up fireworks enforcement and safety ahead of July 4th

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

Burqueños can expect ramped-up patrols and enforcement over the Fourth of July holiday to curb illegal fireworks and prevent fires in high-risk areas like the Bosque and foothills. With recent arson activity and a rise in illegal fireworks, Albuquerque Fire Rescue and the Albuquerque Police Department are stepping up efforts to keep neighborhoods safe from […]

Only one city-approved Safe Outdoor Space exists right now — the Refuge House, run by the New Creation Albuquerque church.

A new bill could change how Albuquerque handles homeless camps

Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers is proposing changes to the city’s Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) Operator’s Permit Ordinance, aiming to reduce regulatory obstacles and make it easier to open and manage sanctioned encampments for people experiencing homelessness. Rogers is pushing to ease city rules on Safe Outdoor Spaces. She argues that current regulations create unnecessary […]

Albuquerque

Real work, real progress

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 19, 2025June 19, 2025

Mayor Tim Keller told Albuquerque business leaders that the city is finally making real progress on crime, homelessness and downtown revitalization after years of effort. Speaking at the Embassy Suites by Hilton during the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s annual mayoral address June 17, Keller said long-term investments and partnerships are starting to pay off. […]

Mayor Tim Keller held a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Medical Respite at Gateway Center in order to talk about the program, which helps folks living on the streets a safe space to recover from illness or injury. Pictured is a gentleman who without the help from this facility probably would not have made it due to a severe foot injury. Here he sits on his bed at the facility while still receiving treatment. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales /City Desk Abq

Albuquerque

A Safe place to heal

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 18, 2025June 18, 2025

Albuquerque’s new medical respite center is giving unhoused people a safe, supportive place to heal after hospital stays — and a better shot at stable housing. Mayor Tim Keller joined staff and a patient June 18 for a small-group conversation highlighting the early impact of the Gateway Medical Respite Center. Tucked inside the former Lovelace […]

Albuquerque

Hemp haze clouds the council’s crackdown

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 18, 2025June 18, 2025

An Albuquerque ordinance meant to ban the sale of synthetic THC-lookalike products may have missed its mark, allowing semi-synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 and THC-A to remain legal after amendments changed the bill’s scope. The City Council passed the amended “Intoxicating Hemp Products” ordinance June 2, aiming to close a legal loophole and protect kids from […]

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Council restores event funding, overrides two of Mayor Keller’s vetoes

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 18, 2025June 18, 2025

Albuquerque city councilors overturned two of Mayor Tim Keller’s budget vetoes at the June 16 City Council meeting, restoring funding for events the mayor said raised legal and procurement concerns. Keller had vetoed four parts of the city’s $1.5 billion budget, saying the changes were needed to keep the budget legally sound and avoid picking […]

Albuquerque

City Councilor Lewis qualifies for 2025 ballot and public financing

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 17, 2025June 19, 2025

Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis has qualified for the 2025 ballot and public financing through the city’s Clean Elections program, doing so in just 10 days. As the 2025 City Council election begins, Lewis’s campaign said he is the first to qualify. He’s seeking his fourth term in District 5 and quickly met the 500 […]

Albuquerque

City Council greenlights sawmill deal amid community pushback

by Jesse Jones, nm.news June 17, 2025June 17, 2025

The Albuquerque City Council unanimously approved a quarter-billion-dollar tax break at the June 16 City Council meeting for a three-part luxury development in the Sawmill District, despite public pushback over affordable housing, fair wages and developer accountability. The City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve industrial revenue bonds for three projects, a hotel, extended-stay suites […]