Jesse Jones, Author at City Desk ABQ

City Council to address housing, internet and budget concerns

The Albuquerque City Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, with a light agenda. The Downtown Core Vacancy Report and a likely deferral of Gateway housing expansion contracts to September are set for the consent agenda. Councilors will also consider canceling a planned moratorium on fiber internet permits and hear a proposal to speed […]

Major votes expected at Monday’s city council meeting on homelessness, housing and substance abuse treatment

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 […]

City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn listens to public comment during a committee meeting Wednesday night. (Jesse Jones)

Opt-In Zoning proposal suffers decisive defeat in committee

Albuquerque’s opt-in zoning proposal suffered a decisive defeat on Wednesday when the City Council’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee voted 4-1 against it after many people spoke in public testimony, most of them neighbors opposed to the plan. The resolution, sponsored by City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn for Mayor Tim Keller, would have let property […]

From left, City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, Mayor Tim Keller, Strong Towns ABQ volunteer Joseph Greenwald and Planning Director Alan Varela speak during an Aug. 12 press conference at the former Range Cafe on Menaul. (Jesse Jones)

Neighborhood groups clash with City Hall over voluntary zoning changes in Albuquerque

Albuquerque property owners could soon choose to increase housing density on their lots under a proposed resolution heading to committee review this week. Resolution 25-167, the Opt-In Zoning Ordinance, sponsored by City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn for Mayor Tim Keller, would let property owners choose to rezone for higher-density or mixed-use development. The measure goes before […]

A fire alarm at the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center on Thursday afternoon led to a complete ground stop at the Albuquerque Sunport, affecting all flights through ABQ airspace.

The $10 Million makeover: How Nov. bonds could give projects in Albuquerque’s District 6 an overhaul

Albuquerque is investing big in its future — nearly $167 million in capital projects have already been launched or completed across the city. From new parks and library upgrades to fire stations and public art, these efforts aim to improve everyday life in every district. This series breaks down where the money went, what was […]

Albuquerque cracks down on landlords as new cooling law faces first test

Albuquerque’s new cooling ordinance faced its first major test this summer, as city inspectors cracked down on landlords failing to provide working air conditioning during extreme heat. The city’s response at The Retreat at Candelaria in July marked a shift in how it enforces Albuquerque’s six-month-old cooling ordinance. After weeks of tenant complaints and indoor […]

City Council defers $3.6M Gateway Housing expansion amid funding questions

Albuquerque city councilors postponed votes on two Gateway Center expansion contracts Monday, citing concerns about transparency and unconfirmed state funding for the $3.6 million proposal. The City Council voted Aug. 4 to delay approving two $1.8 million agreements—one with Chicanos Por La Causa to expand women’s services, and another with Community Bridges for men’s beds—until […]

Back to school in a heat wave, APS juggles 500 work orders to fix aging cooling

Albuquerque Public Schools has more than 500 active cooling system work orders, even after running units all summer to avoid startup issues. Now, district officials are asking voters for $40.2 million in November to upgrade 20 schools to modern air conditioning, though they admit some campuses could still wait years for relief. John Dufay, APS […]

Albuquerque residents who find animals being sold or given away on sidewalks, in parking lots or other public spaces could soon see stricter enforcement under a proposed ordinance update scheduled for a City Council vote in August.

Albuquerque Council approves stricter animal sales enforcement

Burqueños will now see stricter enforcement of animal sales in public spaces under an ordinance amendment approved unanimously by the City Council Monday, Aug. 4. The measure updates the city’s 2006 HEART ordinance, which stands for Humane and Ethical Animal Rules and Treatment, to require immediate seizure and care of animals being sold, given away […]

Animal welfare crackdown could face final vote at Monday’s City Council meeting

Albuquerque could soon tighten enforcement of its animal welfare rules by cracking down on people who sell or give away pets in public spaces. The City Council is expected to vote on the ordinance tonight. The measure is part of a packed agenda that also includes proposed tourism bond funding, expanded homelessness services at the […]