University Area Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan

The neighborhood south of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM has remarkable assets but struggles to retain retail businesses and long-term residents. A high commercial vacancy rate, deteriorating structures, and crime are some of the factors contributing to blight in this area. Sites worked closely with City staff to establish a Metropolitan Redevelopment designation area that included potential redevelopment opportunities while being sensitive to historic and residential neighborhoods. Following the designation, a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area plan identified key catalytic strategies and public and private sector investments that will improve the economic health of the area. Through the designation and planning process, Sites engaged businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives of the area’s major institutions. An important strategy was the formation of a stakeholder group to advocate business improvement and area investment.