Jesse Jones, Author at City Desk ABQ

Albuquerque mayoral candidates debate crime, homelessness at NAIOP forum

Six Albuquerque mayoral hopefuls clashed over crime, homelessness and housing Tuesday, Sept. 30, at a business forum, laying out starkly different visions for a city struggling with safety concerns and stalled growth. The forum at Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown, hosted by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) New Mexico chapter and 13 business […]

United Stadium moving forward — quietly

After years of delays, New Mexico United’s stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park moved closer to reality. Monday, Sept. 29, Mayor Tim Keller announced construction will begin this winter with a 2028 opening target — though officials stayed silent on a Court of Appeals case challenging the project filed just six weeks ago. The announcement, made […]

Albuquerque City Councillor Dan Lewis, District 5.

Ethics complaint alleges Lewis violated settlement over Air Quality Board in budget discussion

Lewis says budget oversight was appropriate, complaint is “frivolous”

After 27 years, ABQ’s Uptown Connect housing project gets green light

About 11,000 people head to work in Uptown every day, but only about 100 can afford to live there. That imbalance has lingered for decades. On Thursday, Sept. 25, Mayor Tim Keller said the city will finally move forward with Uptown Connect, a $120 million project that has been stalled for 27 years. The development […]

Pacific Fusion announced an expansion in New Mexico with a new Research and Manufacturing Campus, which will be located at Mesa Del Sol. During a press conference representatives from local government came to address the media on details. Pictured is City Councillor Joaquin Baca signing a rendering of what the facility will look like.

Exclusive: Pacific Fusion on why they chose ABQ for $1 billion fusion research campus

Pacific Fusion is bringing a $1 billion fusion energy campus to Albuquerque, adding more than 200 permanent high-paying jobs, nearly 1,000 construction jobs, and new momentum for New Mexico’s push to become a national leader in advanced energy technology. The California company’s move, confirmed in an exclusive interview with CityDesk, marks one of the biggest […]

Mayor Tim Keller uses virtual reality technology Thursday to preview the planned Uptown Connect development during a press conference at the current Uptown Transit Center. The $120 million mixed-use project will transform the underutilized transit hub into 239 apartments, along with commercial space, restaurants and a dog park. The development represents the culmination of a 27-year effort that began when the city purchased the land in 1998 with federal transit funds. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, with completion expected by 2028.

Photo of the day: Mayor Keller takes virtual tour of Albuquerque’s future

Mayor Tim Keller gets a virtual reality glimpse of the future Uptown Connect project during the development’s launch event on Thursday. The innovative mixed-use development promises to link affordable housing with public transportation, employment opportunities, and entertainment in Albuquerque’s Uptown area. Check back tomorrow for a full story on Uptown Connect, a $120 million mixed-use […]

Beds line the Gateway West facility. Credit: Roberto E. Rosales/City Desk

After governor’s veto, Albuquerque gets $21.8 million in homeless funding with strings attached

Albuquerque will add 183 homeless shelter beds and 204 senior apartments after the City Council approved $21.8 million in state funding last week, with some unusual oversight requirements. The funding, deferred from the Sept. 3 meeting for a required second public hearing, comes with weekly progress reports and detailed operational plans that Councilor Dan Lewis […]

Albuquerque City Councilors in the Council chambers on Monday February 3, 2025. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales / City Desk Abq

Sobriety required: Albuquerque tests housing program for residents leaving rehab

Albuquerque is trying something new in its fight against homelessness. On Sept. 15, the Albuquerque City Council voted unanimously to launch the city’s first housing voucher program that requires people to stay sober. Resolution R-25-179 establishes a one-year pilot program, called the Continuing Sobriety Housing Voucher Program. It will cover rent for 25 people leaving […]

PACs pour $375k into Albuquerque elections, skirting campaign limits

When Burqueño voters see glossy campaign mailers or ads in the coming weeks, the fine print may list groups such as “Safer Albuquerque Committee” or “Ascend Albuquerque.” But those names don’t tell the full story of who is really paying to influence their votes. Political Action Committees (PACs) have raised $375,280 to sway the Nov. […]

Dispute heats up over publication of Inspector General fraud reports

The head of Albuquerque’s oversight committee is pushing back against accusations that it violated city law by delaying Inspector General reports. Victor Griego, who chairs the Accountability in Government Oversight Committee (AGOC), said the group acted within its authority to make sure the reports were solid. In a Sept. 17 response to District 5 Councilor […]