$500,000 in Grants Awarded to Activate Downtown Storefronts
July 27, 2022
ALBUQUERQUE - The City of Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) announced the final recipients of the first round of the Downtown Storefront Activation Grant. The program was a revitalization and economic strategy to assist in the activation of vacant, ground-floor, commercial properties in the Downtown core. The Downtown core is generally defined as the area between Lomas Blvd., Coal Ave., Broadway Blvd, and 11th Street.
Owners Sarah Kenny and Kelli Trapnell of Dry Heat Comedy Club, Downtown’s newest comedy club and grant recipients said, “We love Downtown. We live down here, literally a block away from Dry Heat. We are excited to for the comedy club to be part of Downtown because it's the part of Albuquerque we have always been part of and want to help grow."
“We are thrilled that these businesses were able to utilize revitalization resources to establish a home in the Downtown core,” said Terry Brunner, Director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency. “We look forward to watching as they thrive and infuse their energy into the neighborhood.”
Grants of up to $35,000 were awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until the full grant amount of $500,000 was expended. The funds were awarded to a total of 15 businesses:
- Blue Door Patisserie, 900 Park SW.
- Flamenco Works, 506 Central Ave. SW
- Electric Playhouse, 301 Gold Ave. SW
- Narke Greek Restaurant, 109 5th St.
- Echoes Brewery, 313 Gold Ave. SW
- Buds and Beans, 119 Gold Ave. SW
- Warehouse 508, 202 Central Ave. SW
- La Finca’s The Mouse Hole, 300 Broadway Blvd. Suite A
- Sport Systems at Warehouse 508, 202 Central Ave.
- The Acre at Warehouse 508, 202 Central Ave.
- Flyby Provisions, 201 Coal Ave. SW
- Wing It Up, 317 Gold Ave. SW
- My Mom’s Restaurant, 500 4th St.
- Something Ginger, 307 Central SW., Suite A
- Dry Heat Comedy Club, 5 Central Ave. NW., Suite G
“It’s a great feeling to provide these expansion funds to our local entrepreneurs, bringing local food and entertainment our whole community will enjoy. When we activate vacant street-level properties, part of the goal is to bring in an influx of good activity to the Downtown core,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “A vibrant downtown creates a safer downtown.”
The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency is accepting applications for a waitlist. More details and an application can be found at cabq.gov/storefront. For questions, email [email protected] or call 505-810-7502.