The Rail Trail project has been years in the making and the first phase of construction broke ground in May at the Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown Albuquerque. The city currently has $40 million in funding for the trail but Terry Brunner, director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, said another $40 million will be needed.
Bernalillo County
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
Councilor asks law enforcement board to investigate APD chief for not turning on body camera after crash
After failing to secure a vote of no-confidence against police Chief Harold Medina last spring, Councilor Louie Sanchez is now asking a state board in charge of suspending or revoking an officer’s law enforcement certification to investigate him. On Friday, Sanchez submitted a misconduct report — called an “LEA-90” — to the Law Enforcement Certification […]
Posted inEast Mountains
Going Dry…
Nearly everyone living in the East Mountains worries about access to water, especially since hotter and drier years means frequent fires and lower aquifer levels.. That’s exactly what users of the Tranquillo Pines Water Users Co-Op are experiencing. Dozens of co-op members and other concerned residents showed up to a crowded meeting on Thursday August […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
From bonds to balloons: retired county manager has a new job
Recently retired Bernalillo County Manager Julie Morgas Baca has a new job. She will start Tuesday as executive director of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — about a month before the annual event kicks off. “Leading the Fiesta is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Morgas Baca said. “I am honored and delighted to begin this […]
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City brings back routine food inspections
Inspectors with the Albuquerque Environmental Health Department are back at ensuring the city’s diners aren’t getting dangerous vittles. The department had scaled back its efforts and conducted only pre-opening and complaint-based inspections while a new food safety and retail ordinance was put into place and inspectors were trained on the new rules. Routine inspections were […]
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How one ABQ student got the city’s attention over pedestrian safety
Sometimes it may seem that public concerns brought to city officials go willfully unheard. But one University of New Mexico student’s persistence and determination on pedestrian safety got her a scheduled meeting with city development heads. Like most students with busy schedules, Jackie Davis risks jaywalking across Central Avenue near UNM. After noticing hundreds of […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Bernalillo County manager contract approved
Bernalillo County officially has its next manager. Cindy Chavez will start in the job Nov. 13 after county commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve her employment contract. Chavez will make $230,000 a year to start, with possible annual merit-based pay increases. She replaces Julie Morgas Baca, who retired at the end of June. Chavez will […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Bernalillo County is ‘Breaking Butts’ into compost and plastic
Bernalillo County officials are launching a new program to turn discarded cigarette butts into compost and plastic products such as hand tools and picnic benches. On Tuesday, the Keep BernCo Beautiful Advisory Board, county staff, and Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada unveiled new receptacles — branded with Keep BernCo Beautiful and a play on the “Breaking […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Housing & Homelessness
Do you need a place to sleep? Here’s a map of shelters in Albuquerque
The question of how many beds are available for people experiencing homelessness has emerged as a sticking point as cities across the country grapple with how to tackle the issue. With this in mind, City Desk ABQ called around to 14 shelters identified by the City of Albuquerque and the New Mexico Coalition to End […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
How much will Bernalillo County pay its new manager?
Bernalillo County commissioners Tuesday will consider a contract to pay incoming County Manager Cindy Chavez $230,000 a year. Chavez, currently a member of the Santa Clara County (California) Board of Supervisors, was selected in June to replace Julie Morgas Baca, who retired at the end of that month. Shirley Ragin, deputy county manager for finance, […]