The Near Heights is a lower income area of Albuquerque with a diverse ethnic population.  Sites Southwest drew on the residents' and business owners' rich ethnic backgrounds and enthusiastic involvement to develop five strategies for redeveloping the two primary commercial corridors along San Mateo and Gibson Boulevards, including transforming the area into part of an International Heritage District. A number of public participation techniques were used, including community meetings, a design charrette, and personal surveys of business owners. The project team also analyzed the strengths and opportunities in the expansion area to propose catalyst projects for three vacant sites, including a mixed-use residential/office/community use development, a new retail/public plaza/café development and a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streetscape project. The Sites team estimated costs for the projects and analyzed their financial feasibility.