Our SECOND trip to ABQ (and a bit about Denver, too!)

[Cactus Hibs]

Originally Posted by funkymonkey

Certainly. It's made some progress in the last 15 years.

The old Albuquerque High School was converted from an abandoned building into lofts in the early 2000's. A former santarium was converted into the Hotel Parq Central. A bank is going in at the old Pop-n-Taco. Gravy is a delicious new restaurant on Central west of I-25.

I've also heard the area across Central from Presbyterian Hospital may have some development in the works.

Yeah, the East Downtown area (roughly the railroad tracks to the I-25 overpass) has really come into its own over the last 5-10 years. It needs more retail and businesses to attract daytime traffic and has a number of vacant lots to fill, but there are lots of new dining options and several new businesses from yoga studios to local arts/crafts galleries. If UNM's Innovation Corridor plans are even partially realized, there will be a lot more traffic and activity in the area, with predictable effects. Interest in the historical 19th-century homes in the neighborhoods that line Central in that part of town has already picked up significantly.

I've heard the same rumors you have about the numerous empty lots across from Presbyterian. I hope there's something to them...in my opinion they are the big obstacle in the path of a continuous urban district along Central from Old Town to Nob Hill. They're dark, empty, and completely undeveloped and when coupled with Presbyterian's acres of parking lots facing Central serve as a major deterrent to anyone who'd want to walk or bike between the UNM/Nob Hill area and greater downtown.

[Design7]

I do hope that ABQ gets some help with that 'Route 66 vision thing.' All of Central Ave. is losing its Route 66 feel, and that is the romance that lures tourists. I see new restaurants opening in Downtown and Old Town along Central Ave., but they look and feel a bit too staid. Great food is not enough. This is Route 66, Baby! The signage and facades are just not creative enough. Just as Santa Fe pays attention to its Adobe aesthetic to pull in the tourists, we need a Route 66 aesthetic here in ABQ, and a strong one if we're going to stay on the map as a travel destination.

[Westcoasters]

Originally Posted by Design7

I do hope that ABQ gets some help with that 'Route 66 vision thing.' All of Central Ave. is losing its Route 66 feel, and that is the romance that lures tourists. I see new restaurants opening in Downtown and Old Town along Central Ave., but they look and feel a bit too staid. Great food is not enough. This is Route 66, Baby! The signage and facades are just not creative enough. Just as Santa Fe pays attention to its Adobe aesthetic to pull in the tourists, we need a Route 66 aesthetic here in ABQ, and a strong one if we're going to stay on the map as a travel destination.

As tourists who visit New Mexico at least once a year, sometimes twice, we couldn't agree more. We very much enjoy the feel of New Mexico towns and their historic roots.