Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller launched a comprehensive housing initiative Thursday aimed at reducing rents and preventing displacement through a combination of affordable housing development and home repair assistance. The “Housing Now” campaign centers on a proposed program called PATCH that would provide zero-percent interest, forgivable loans to help low-income homeowners make critical repairs to avoid […]
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Posted inBernalillo County
Bernalillo County awards grants to 19 neighborhood associations
Bernalillo County has awarded grant funding to 19 recognized neighborhood associations for community projects designed to strengthen local neighborhoods and promote civic engagement. The Neighborhood Grant Program, administered annually by the county’s Planning & Development Services Department, provides up to $7,500 for large projects and $2,500 for small projects. Recipients will use the funding for […]
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Albuquerque firefighters receive pay raises as new contract takes effect
Albuquerque firefighters are seeing significant pay increases in their paychecks following the implementation of a three-year contract that delivers millions in compensation improvements and expanded benefits. The agreement between the city and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 244, which represents Albuquerque Fire Rescue personnel, provides $17.8 million in total compensation enhancements over three years. […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
ABQ BioPark plans $22 Million gorilla habitat renovation
The ABQ BioPark is moving forward with plans for a major renovation of its gorilla habitat, a $22 million project that will create two expansive areas specifically designed for the park’s gorillas. The new habitats will incorporate the space previously used for orangutans, which were moved to the park’s award-winning Asia expansion that opened in […]
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Bernalillo County honors lifeguards for heroic rescue
By Connor Currier In a heartfelt ceremony at its Aug. 4 meeting, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners recognized a dedicated team of lifeguards for their swift, coordinated actions that saved the life of a young swimmer at the South Valley Aquatic Center on June 23. The lifeguards’ quick thinking, teamwork and professionalism were pivotal […]
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Council to weigh $2 million incentive for redevelopment of old 23K gold bank towers at San Mateo and Central
The 17-story skyscraper at the corner of San Mateo and Central Avenue and the 10-story “mini version” next door are clad with 23-karat gold tiles and once served as the symbol of Albuquerque and New Mexico’s booming extraction and atomic economy. Today, it stands vacant and its lots are filled with the remnants of overnight […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
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 […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
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 […]
Posted inEducation
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 […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Bernalillo County honors teen ambassadors who led Summer of Nonviolence initiative
The Bernalillo County Commission formally honored five local teenagers Tuesday night for their groundbreaking work as the inaugural youth ambassadors for the Summer of Nonviolence, a collaborative initiative aimed at providing safe and positive opportunities for area youth. Generation Peace, known as “Gen P,” consisted of teen leaders from across Albuquerque-area high schools who spent […]