thoughts on Mesa del Sol (Albuquerque, Taos: work, health, housing)

[catrinac]

Mesa del Sol

Do you really think it will be walkable? It looks exciting.... yet also looks like a big developed suburb.

What do y'all think?

[rybert]

Eh, I am excited, but I think your skepticism as to whether or not it will be walkable is accurate.

[bradly]

We had a meeting about this last week, its not going to take 50+ years to complete the whole damn thing.. its only going to take 15 years to complete, which really the hardest part is gettin huge commercial in mesa del sol not as much as housing, there already is a huge freakin list of people that are in line for a home to be built. The thing that gets me is the bull**** about "urban" lifestyles.. its nothing but suburban to me..

[abqsunport]

yeah, they have not one building over 2 stories at the moment. Urban requires more density than what is proposed.

[bradly]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

yeah, they have not one building over 2 stories at the moment. Urban requires more density than what is proposed.

?? Albuquerque Studios is 3 stories, and the main community center is like 5 stories..

There couple buildings over 2 stories.. but i dont see it as a "urban" masterplan at all.

[ziaAirmac]

I also don't see it as 'urban' but I'll say that 'walkable' could be taken in different ways to different people. Some might think in terms of distance, others in terms of availability of dedicated paths/trails and minimizing major intersection crossings. I think a lot of people might balk at some of the apparent distances from house to proposed work, but I know people that commute daily from the foothills to places around the Jefferson/I-25 area without thinking twice about the distance (and the uphill climb waiting for you at the end of the day). I'm not sure how they're defining urban, but it looks about as urban as Taos to me.

[rybert]

That's a really good point Zia. Here in Houston "walkable" would be measured in distance (heat + humidity are huge factors). I would think that ABQ walkability would be a healthy mix of distance and the availability of alternative trails/paths.

[Trkstp Tina]

I think Mesa del Sol could be huge--there is nothing like it in Albuquerque. I lived in one of the first (maybe the first?) planned communities in the country (Reston, VA), and it was great in many ways. These master-planned communities are so popular across the country that their home values are often sky high. Buying into Mesa del Sol could be a great investment. It may look suburban, but surely it will be more walkable than the typical Albuquerque suburb, and will likely have a strong sense of community.

I have to say, though, I wasn't impressed when I called the Mesa del Sol offices. I wanted to know what school district it would be in, and they couldn't give me an answer. I had a few more questions, and they referred me to their Web site. Huh? And they're supposed to be promoting this place?

My conclusion: Mesa del Sol could potentially be great, but it is going to take a long time for it to get off the ground. This housing crisis is not going to help.

[rybert]

They are currently in the process of deciding the school district thing... an insider I know tells me that they will most likely not be a part of APS... which it probably for the best (as APS is already a bit big for its britches).

[bradly]

Originally Posted by rybert

They are currently in the process of deciding the school district thing... an insider I know tells me that they will most likely not be a part of APS... which it probably for the best (as APS is already a bit big for its britches).

Yep its official, i was hearing it will have to be under APS.
Three Elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school.. (note: that high school will be overcrowded before it opens )