Bringing City Hall to the Community

From my family to yours, we wish every Burqueño all the best this holiday season. At this time of year it is critical that we also support those most in need in our community. To learn about volunteer opportunities during the holidays that can have an impact for our city, please visit the City's Volunteers webpage or contact our Civic Engagement Office at (505) 768-3052 or [email protected].

-Mayor Tim Keller

P.S. - Support the One Albuquerque Housing Fund this Holiday Season by visiting www.donateabq.org. Every dollar goes directly to support those experiencing homelessness in our community.

2020 State of the City Celebration January 11th

Dozens of Community Groups to Join Mayor Keller for Free, Family-Friendly Celebration

Please join us at the 2020 State of the City Celebration on Saturday, January 11th, 2020. This FREE event will have fun for the entire family including interactive entertainment, local crafts and vendors, music, art, food and more! More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The City of Albuquerque is also partnering with America Prays to support those experiencing homelessness in our community at this year’s State of the City Celebration. Attendees are invited to bring donations of canned goods and gently used clothing to the event so that these items can be distributed to trusted partners in our city to help those in need.

We hope you'll come out to join our amazing community partners for food, fun and excitement for the whole family! The celebration begins at 10am and the formal program begins at 1pm. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or to get involved.

Community Feedback Form for Gateway Center

Add your voice to the public input process

At the ballot box in November, a broad majority of voters approved funding for Albuquerque’s first 24/7 gateway center to connect people experiencing homelessness to emergency shelter, resources, and services—and to help them transition into permanent housing.

As the site location and design process moves forward, public input is paramount. The City has taken input from hundreds of people through online surveys and last week’s community session. Community members came out to learn about the state of homelessness in Albuquerque, share ideas, participate in discussions to help identify a location, prioritize services, and consider criteria including proximity to outside resources, access to public transportation, and minimizing the impact on potential surrounding neighborhoods.

There's still time to weigh in. You can take our online survey in English here or Spanish here. You can also take the survey over the phone by calling (505) 768-3000.

Thank you for helping shape the future of homeless services in our community.

Mayor Keller Outlines 2020 Legislative Priorities

Crime Fighting is Top Priority for City of Albuquerque in 2020 Legislative Session.

Earlier this month, Mayor Tim Keller, City Councilor Cynthia Borrego, area state legislators, and the Albuquerque Police Department rolled out the City’s legislative priorities for the 2020 legislative session.

The City is making public safety the focus in next year’s legislative session, highlighting requests from $10 million for a statewide fund for violence intervention programs to $20 million for modernizing crime fighting technology.

“Violent crime is still Albuquerque’s biggest challenge—and New Mexico’s biggest challenge—even as we have made strides fighting other crimes like auto theft and robbery,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re facing that reality with evidence-based violence reduction and tough on crime policing, and with the State’s help we can take another step towards making New Mexico’s largest metro area safer.”

The City of Albuquerque is asking the State to support evidence-based violence reduction initiatives by requesting $10 million for a statewide fund to improve public health and safety by supporting violence reduction programs in communities across New Mexico. Additionally, the City asks that $2 million of the $10 million be reserved for projects in the Albuquerque-area, including the recently announced Violence Intervention Program.

Also among the top legislative priorities for the City are $14 million for a Gateway Center for Behavioral Health, $22 million to widen Paseo Del Norte from Calle Nortena to Rainbow Boulevard NW, and $1.5 for school safety crosswalk improvements.

Civic Plaza Playground Open, Solar installed, as City Nears End of Two Years of Major Upgrades to Civic Plaza

Reinvigorated Civic plaza becomes Downtown attractions for families, boost City sustainability efforts, improve convention facilities

During Winterfest 2019, Mayor Tim Keller marked the grand opening of the new iconic playground on Civic Plaza—the second-to-last in a long-running series of upgrades to Civic Plaza that have boosted City sustainability with solar pagodas, improved convention facilities and capability, and made Downtown Albuquerque a gathering place for families and the community at large.

“Downtowns drive the success of entire cities—and in Albuquerque we’re revitalizing our Civic Plaza to bring families and the community together in the center of the city. You can see it at United Watch Parties, music festivals, and now, when we look out the window at City Hall and see dozens of families enjoying the splashpad or the new playground,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “Our public spaces elevate Albuquerque’s sense of community.”

The new playground signals that major construction on the plaza is nearing an end after two years of work. Projects align with Mayor Keller’s goals to bring families back downtown, make Albuquerque more sustainable, and increase the draw for conventions and visitors that generate revenue in the local economy.

They have included:

• Completion of the iconic playground;
• Installation of a splashpad water feature for kids and families;
• Upgrades to the screen at the Al Hurricane, Jr. Pavilion;
• Solar pagodas that provide shade and power for the plaza;
• Renovation of a tunnel making it easier to access the convention center;
• Repair and structural improvements in the parking garage; and
• Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in the parking garage.
• The final step of the long-term project, already underway, is final phase of the installation of solar panels that will generate 242 kW of power. Solar panels are in place on the two shade structures that run north and south along Third Street. The final phase will involve placing panels atop the Al Hurricane, Jr. Pavilion.

City Urges Drivers to Use Caution When Traveling in ART Corridor, Note Encouraging Ridership Numbers

Route 66 is Open for Business During #BuyLocal Month

Mayor Keller and the Transit Department are reiterating that for your safety, the safety of loved ones and everyone on the road, please don’t cross into the ART lanes or attempt U-turns across the ART lanes, or attempt left hand turns against a red arrow turn signal.

As a general precaution, always check your side and rear mirrors before attempting to turn or change lanes. It is imperative that drivers stay alert as everyone adapts to the new flow of traffic on Central Avenue.

City leaders are also encouraged by recent ridership numbers for Albuquerque Rapid Transit which show stronger than normal usage during a typically down month for public transportation.

During #BuyLocal month, Mayor Keller is urging Burqueños to support locally-owned businesses by dining at local establishments, shopping local, and getting services (repair, beauty etc.) at local shops. Local businesses across Albuquerque are encouraged to prominently display a #BuyLocal window sticker to help customers identify local businesses. Businesses interested in requesting a #BuyLocal sticker should visit the City’s Buy Local webpage.

“Albuquerque is home to over 42,000 small businesses. By making a conscious effort to support small businesses and local restaurants across the Duke City this December we will continue to strengthen Albuquerque’s economy,” said Mayor Keller. “The launch of ART service will help us make sure Route 66 is open for business this holiday season. We’re encouraging folks to take ART to the many unique shopping districts along the route and to #BuyLocal this year and beyond.”