Major Westside City Project Update Shows Promise for Future

Mayor Tim Keller and City leaders joined the Albuquerque Westside Business Association meeting on Wednesday evening. The gathering brought business leaders and association members together to discuss City and community efforts. Mayor Keller presented on a range of issues including public safety, infrastructure projects and improvements, and economic development. The City is pushing ahead dozens of projects to improve quality of life for families on Albuquerque’s Westside.  

“We are grateful that our community had the opportunity to hear from Mayor Keller and City Departments about the future growth of Albuquerque’s Westside,” said Melissa Sanchez, President and CEO, Albuquerque Westside Business Association. “With the right planning, a thriving Westside community is within reach; one with education, recreation, entertainment, commercial and industrial facilities, open space, and thousands of good-paying jobs to meet the demand of our neighborhoods.” 

Development and improvement projects impacting Albuquerque’s Westside that were highlighted include major progress coming or already started through the area: 

Public Safety Investments  

• Southwest Safety Complex – building a new multi-use Public Safely Station near 98^th and Dennis Chavez that will include Police, Fire and ACS operations to bolster public safety presence and reduce response times in the fast-growing Southwest Albuquerque. Phase 1 construction will begin in 2024.  
• Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) – new ASE cameras were recently installed on Southbound Coors at Ellison and Northbound Coors between Montaño and Paseo del Norte to slow down drivers, in addition to those on Unser and Coors. 
• Real Time Crime Center – investing in crime fighting technology and expanding the Real Time Crime Center. The RTCC was moved to the Emergency Operations Center on the Westside last year and will be completed this winter. 

Roads and Infrastructure Improvements  

• Paseo and Unser Extension – the extension of Paseo del Norte and Unser to reduce congestion and improve safety: widening to include four lanes for traffic, median separation, storm drainage, and multi-use pedestrian and bike trail. This long-time project is in process. Design work is complete and land purchase has commenced, however, there are dozens of parcels needed from different owners, many out of state and some currently unwilling to sell. The City shared that it will pursue the project regardless, and may use eminent domain. The land assembly will make this process extend over several years.    
• Medians and Beautification Projects – landscaping and median improvements on Coors and Westside Boulevard are nearly completed and are underway on the hill on 528. 

Community Services and Gathering Spaces  

• Cibola Loop City Facilities - The city has mapped out a plan to use current funding for phase 1 which includes a multigenerational center that will provide meals and community space and services for youth and seniors. This will be the beginning of the larger, long-term effort to bring additional amenities to the location. Construction of phase 1 is expected to start next year.   
• Westgate Community Center – The new center opened just two years ago bringing before and after school and summer programing to the neighborhood. Phase 2 is currently under construction to add a warming kitchen, splash pad, classrooms, a bus stop, and meeting spaces, and is expected to be done in 2024.

Economic Opportunity in Albuquerque  

• Nuevo Atrisco Community and Commercial Plaza - 10,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, sites for 7 micro-restaurants, and community gathering spaces are under construction now.  
• Sunport Reimagined – There are dozens of opportunities for local businesses and artists in renovated spaces as part of the airport’s $87 million renovation project. The project will be completed in 2025. 
• Thousands of new jobs – Maxeon Solar Technologies, mtex Antenna Technology, and Array Technologies are bringing thousands of new jobs to Albuquerque over the next few years.  

Parks Upgrades and Quality of Life Projects 

• Westside Indoor Sports Complex – currently exploring sites for a multi-use sports facility for basketball, volleyball, and other indoor sports. 
• Poole Property Open Space – purchased 23-acre open space site adjacent to the San Antonio Oxbow to preserve the natural environment and add open space lands on the Westside. 
• Alamosa Spray Pad – new spray pad coming in 2024 at Alamosa Park.  
• Pat Hurley Park – recently resurfaced all racquet courts, converting two courts to pickleball courts. 
• West Mesa Aquatic Center – $2,655,906 in renovations to celebrate the pool’s 25th birthday were completed over the summer. 
• Sierra Vista Pool & Tennis Center - two new dedicated pickle ball courts were completed and two other tennis courts were “dual-striped” for pickle ball. 
• Ladera Golf Course - expansion of banquet hall and food & beverage area will begin this winter.  
• Ventana Ranch Park Improvements - new 8-court pickle ball complex added to the park. 
• Chantilly Park Dog Park - new dog park currently under construction.  
• Valley Gardens Park - new shade structure coming in early 2024. 
• Redlands Park - new restroom coming for West Mesa Little League in 2024. 
• Mariposa Basin Park - new equipment to improve water quality of ponds and refurbishment of shade structures coming in 2024. 
• Let’s Plant Albuquerque – Goal of planting 100,000 trees by 2030 includes plantings throughout Westside Parks and at Ladera Golf Course. 
• Rinconada Park - outdoor fitness equipment installed in 2022.  
• Chaparral Elementary Spray Pad and Recreational Park – planning and design to begin in 2024 for a spray pad and other recreational features on land adjacent to Chaparral Elementary School.   

“Our City’s westside is a place of boundless possibility – both now and for the future,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “The promise of Albuquerque is well on its way to being realized on the westside.”