City Secures Space for Public Safety District Office in Heart of Downtown
June 7, 2021
Today, Mayor Keller’s administration is one step closer to creating a Downtown Public Safety District office in the long-vacant Rosenwald Building. City Council approved the lease of the building at the southeast corner of Central Avenue and 4th Street SW, in the heart of downtown. The ground floor will house an increased police presence to help make the area safer.
“We’re aiming to create a permanent home for dedicated Downtown police officers on the ground floor to help make the downtown corridor safer, and to partner with the private sector to refurbish and activate the rest of this downtown cornerstone that has been long vacant,” said Mayor Tim Keller.
Council approved the agreement between the Albuquerque Police Department and a private developer, allowing for office space for the department at street level. Prior to the pandemic, the Downtown Public Safety District operated out of offices in the Alvarado Transit Center.
“We’re spearheading this project to bring the Rosenwald Building back to life as a win-win for both public safety downtown and economic development,” added Mayor Keller.
It is all part of the Mayor’s concerted efforts to provide piece of mind to residents and business owners, directly addressing their long-standing public safety concerns. Lawrence Rael, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Albuquerque, played a key role in securing the deal and looks at the Downtown Public Safety District office as a big opportunity for added security downtown.
“It is important that we actively work to meet the needs of our community,” said Rael. “This agreement means a heightened sense of safety for the area’s community members with the new District office. We are setting a solid foundation for a revitalization of one of Albuquerque’s most beloved historic neighborhoods and that starts with ensuring the wellbeing of those who live and work there.”
“We’d also like to thank the Garcia family for their part in making all this possible.”
The agreed upon lease is for 13 years and nine months with an option to extend and covers nearly 16,000 sq. ft. The Rosenwald Building will also include condominiums on the higher floors.