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

Author Archives: Jesse Jones
Jesse Jones is a reporter covering local government and news for nm.news
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What’s happening with the Rail Trail?
What happened to the ABQ Rail Trail? The Rail Trail was pitched as a 7-mile loop linking downtown, Old Town and the Rail Yards with public art and architecture telling Albuquerque’s story. Now the project faces its biggest setback. The Trump administration pulled $11.5 million in promised funding last week, leaving city officials scrambling to […]
Albuquerque city council passes $75,000 home repair loans for low-income homeowners
The average Albuquerque home is 44 years old, and a lot of families can’t cover the big repair bills that come with aging houses. On Sept. 15, the City Council approved a program to help, passing the measure 5-3. The Preserving Albuquerque Through Critical Housing (PATCH) program will provide up to $75,000 in forgivable loans […]