Mayor Keller, Local Legislators Highlight Major Capital Investment in Albuquerque

April 10, 2021

At a press briefing today, Mayor Tim Keller came together with City leaders and Albuquerque-area state legislators to highlight nearly $190 million of investments in building and infrastructure projects moving forward over the next year, providing critical support to the state’s largest urban center. The funding comes as Albuquerque moves to address challenges around crime, homelessness and community resources, as well as recover fully from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With this nearly $200 million investment in our community’s recover, we are betting on Burque in 2021,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “These community projects will boost our recovery from COVID-19 and meet critical needs like public safety, housing and homelessness, and jobs.

Legislators approved an estimated $42 million in funding for Albuquerque at the legislative session this year, including funding in line with the City’s top priorities. Highlights of that funding include:

• Real Time Crime Center: $4.6 million in state funding to create a truly regional public safety coordination hub for the City, County, and State agencies.
• Gateway Center: A 24/7 low-barrier shelter that will connect people experiencing homelessness with resources to help them transition into permanent housing. A $3.9 million investment.
• Fire Station 12: Purchase new land to rebuild Fire Station 12, originally built back in 1960. $7 million from the City, $117,000 from the state, totaling $7.1 million.
• Albuquerque Fire Department: New equipment to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. $2.4 million from the City, $2.3 million from the state, totaling $4.7 million.
• Shot Spotter: Expanding APD’s gunshot-detection technology, already proven effective for addressing gun violence. A $1.3 million investment.
• Building the Albuquerque Community Safety Department: Breaking ground on the potential site for this first-of-its-kind cabinet-level department. $7 million from the City, $100,000 from the state, totaling $7.1 million.
• Southeast Area Command Center: Construction on expansion for community policing in the SE. A $5 million investment.
• Westside Community Center: Adding a community room, child services, and more. A $3.5 million investment.
• McMahon Boulevard: Multi-modal expansion of McMahon Boulevard to ease traffic and improve safety.
• Explora: $1.36 million to support the innovative experiential learning center in the heart of Old Town. $200,000 from the City and $1.16 from the state.
• Affordable Housing: $ 3.3 million from the City, $2 million from the state and $6.7 million from the federal government for affordable housing, totaling $12 million.
• Loma Linda: $2 million in improvements to the community center in the historically underserved area of the city.

“The emphasis has really been on public safety. I’m really proud of the work we do and the true collaboration that has been happening in recent years,” said City Councilor Klarissa Peña.

“We as legislators work very closely with the city council and the mayor to collectively make decisions on what our needs are,” said Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton.