Could A.R.T. Be a Good Thing?

Michelle Worley, L&LNM Blogs Abq's Central Avenue. Today, we skipped several blocks over to Central and 2nd through 10th streets, accompanied by Joaquin Baca, who wanted to show us that Abq Rapid Transit could be a good thing for Central.

He has some pretty good arguments that were supported by some pretty good examples from these neighborhoods. Joaquin explained that the way neighborhoods are designed helps build communities. In recent years, more housing has been provided by converting empty buildings to condos, creating new construction, and combining businesses with housing.

A coffee shop, for example, in the lower level of an apartment complex attracts the residents of the apartments. They hang out and get to know each other. They even plan neighborhood events. That's a good thing.

Joaquin is a perfect example of how this works. He lives downtown, takes his kids to school on the City D-Ride bus, and walks to work. He also regularly uses the Rail Runner to visit family in Belen. He drives his car every two weeks or so.

Now that I understand better how communities are formed in areas like this, I can see better how A.R.T., one of the final stages of this neighborhood revitalization effort, could be a good thing but I still don't think it needs to be on such a grand scale, not for Abq.

Let's flip this thing
In our other L&LNM blog, Building a Nonprofit, I've talked many times about "flipping" things, or approaching a situation from another perspective. The idea came from the Khan Academy flipped classroom concept. So let's look at A.R.T. from a different angle and make it something positive.

L&LNM believes that we need to live sustainably and quit destroying the planet by using gas and oil. A.R.T. will provide public transportation (I'd love to see it do that in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.) that we really need to start embracing. We can't continue to drive, one person per car, to every destination. We must change. So ride the bus! Ride the Rail Runner! Ride your bike! Walk!

Why Central?
When I asked why this project has to happen on Central, Joaquin made another good point. Central has some key business hubs, including Presbyterian and UNM, that attract people and create jobs.
Those institutions could benefit from A.R.T., perhaps, in the form of fewer parking problems and parking fees. That would be a great relief to students, faculty/staff, and patients. Public transportation is also a good place to get to know others in your community.

The numbers
This area has many more in-businesses than out-of's. Counting was a little wonky as there are several instances of the lower floor of a building being out of business with the floors above containing fully inhabited apartments.

We counted a total of 69 businesses. Sixty of them, or 87%, are in business, and nine of them, or 13%, are out of business -- a great contrast to what we have seen so far on east Central. It seems the efforts put forth to revitalize these neighborhoods are paying off. I hope we will see other hoods like this as we move forward.

That brings the numbers for the area covered between Tramway and 10th (minus from Louisiana to 2nd, which we haven't covered yet) to 317. Of that, 234 (74%) are in business and 83 (26%) are out of business.

 That's all I've got for today. We will try to put a call out soon to let you know when we will next be blogging Central. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome, especially if you have stories to tell!

Blogging Pennsylvania to Louisiana

Michelle Worley, L&LNM Blogs Central Avenue. Yesterday was really not the day to go out and witness A.R.T. in action, not after having to deal with the outcome of this farce of an election. It all turned out to be totally depressing. But we did it anyway. So I guess I'll write about it.

Danny and I walked between Pennsylvania and Wyoming. There were few pedestrians out, and those who were honestly made me a little nervous.

It seemed to me that most of the people gathered at the bus stops were not there to ride but to catch some sleep or enjoy the company of others out on the street. That is probably how it's always been, as a reader commented on another post about the empty buses -- that the buses have always been empty, not just now with the construction.

Because Central is so empty of people, the trash littering the sidewalks and street is more noticeable. Danny didn't bring his skateboard so I had him tally while I took photos.

Side by side, we quickly counted the number of in-businesses and out-of's and then we got outta there and drove further west along Central to 12th, where I needed to go to get a book I ordered from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (The Pueblo Food Experience Cookbook -- signed!).

I took photos along the way. I have to face the fact that all Abq streets, not just Central, are cluttered with closed up businesses and For Rent/For Sale signs. We didn't talk much as we took the interstate back to Cedar Crest.

The numbers
Today's numbers are 22 (65%) in-businesses and 12 (35%) out-of's. For the entire length between Tramway and Louisiana, we have counted 248 total businesses, 174 (70%) of which are in business and 74 (30%) of which are out of business.

Today's photos are of an out-of-business and a going-out-of-business (has it already gone out?) we saw along the way. Comments always welcome as long as they are respectful.

Future blogging
We still hope that readers will join us as we blog Central. We are planning to pull something together the week of November 14. It's hard working out our school and work schedules.

In the meantime, if anyone out there sees a location that might go under before we visit, please take photos and share. Or let us know and we will go out and explore.

Blogging Wyoming to Pennsylvania

Michelle Worley, blogging Abq's Central Avenue. On this Saturday, Mariah, Danny, and I headed out to Central and Wyoming to pick up where we left off last time.

Bea's 
First, this is the hood that has the old Bea's Restaurant. I have been looking forward to walking by this building and taking photos. Turns out that, although this restaurant has been closed a while, there is a Bea's 2 on Zuni just a little ways away. In fact, you can see it from Central. And it is doing fine, according to my google search. I think I should definitely visit. It gets good reviews for its authentic NM dishes. 

Delgado's Photography
The little shop once known as Delgado's Photography was so sad to me. I think it's the signs. I can't tell when it was last in business but it's been a while. Does anyone know anything about it? 

There was one out-of-business motel and one that is still in business. We also saw one auto business that was open but had a For Sale sign up. There aren't as many auto businesses on this leg of the journey. 

The Numbers
Today, we covered Central between Wyoming and Pennsylvania. There are 28 businesses. Twenty (71%) of them are in business, and eight (29%) are out of business. The total for the entire length between Tramway and Pennsylvania is 214 total, with 152 in business and 62 out of. The percentages are the same. We seem to have a trend going.

Join Us!
Some of our readers have said they'd like to join us on our walks when we get to their hoods. Great idea! Anyone is welcome to join us anywhere along the line. We are going to start announcing on our website where we will be each day we walk and what time. This means we have to start being more organized. That is a challenge. Stay tuned. 

A Little to the West of University

Michelle Worley, L&LNM Blogs Abq's Central Avenue. Today, I dropped Kelsey off for her class at UNM and then explored the university area to see how A.R.T. was affecting things. It was super windy so I didn't walk. I drove and tried to take pix while stopped in traffic, which turned out to be quite often. 

I went a few blocks west of University and headed back on Central. The flashing red light on Girard and Central from a few days ago was gone and the traffic light was working again so traffic in front of UNM was moving slowly but fairly smoothly.

However, it was still too slow and I started looking for detours. I decided to cut over to Lead or Coal, whichever one goes east, and that turned out to be a mistake. They are putting in roundabouts on the back streets at the same time that Central is being slammed by construction. 

side street under construction near UNM

Some of the back streets are closed off entirely for a block or two. The sides streets on which people park are nightmares because, with everyone turning onto them to avoid Central, everything gets clogged up and two-way traffic can't happen. 
It's ridiculous and especially so when I hear that the federal money everyone is counting on to fund A.R.T. is not a done deal, that it could be denied. What happens if it is denied? 

I made my way through the maze of streets back to Stanford. By that time, it was time to pick Kelsey up. Stanford was not closed. Thank goodness someone used common sense on that one. 

The photo below is one of a building at 1303 Central that seems to have been out of business for a long long time. Does anyone know what it was and when it was operating? I googled it but only found its value and property tax amount. 

1303 Central NE

That's all I've got for today. We plan to go out again soon and pick up where we left off at Wyoming. I'm looking out my window at a rainy afternoon, unusual for New Mexico but as we always say, "We need the moisture." Enjoy it while it lasts. 

Zuni to Wyoming

Michelle Worley here, blogging Central Avenue for Live and Learn New Mexico (L&LNM).  I want to remind readers that this project started out simply looking at how many businesses on Central have gone out of business in the last 20 years or so. I also wanted to hear from readers who have lived and worked in the areas I talk about, and I am. Love all the stories!

Then A.R.T. construction began fast and furious and I realized I had to take it into account as I made my way across Central. So it became a two-part project -- one part looking at the past to see what happened to cause so many businesses to go out of business, the other part looking at how A.R.T. will affect existing businesses down the line. The first part is the most important to me and I feel the need to document it before A.R.T. destroys everything I'm looking at. 

Today's leg of the journey
Okay, let's get to today's blogging. This evening, Danny and I blogged between Zuni and Wyoming. One effect A.R.T. has had on Central is on pedestrian traffic. There is almost none. There used to always be people on both sides of the road and groups gathered at the bus stops. But it has become a ghost town. Where are all the people? (It's the same in front of UNM, where A.R.T. construction is going hard and heavy. Very few people are out walking on Central. Where are all the students?) 

Danny rides his skateboard while I tally in- and out-of-businesses. There are two strip malls, one with all but one suite in business, and the other about half in- and half out-of-business. One had a laundromat, the other a massage place and a smoke shop, the types of businesses we are seeing a lot of on Central, all around town, really. There was one apartment building and the Luna Lodge as well. 

The numbers
For the Zuni-Wyoming stretch, we counted 21 in-businesses and 9 out-of's. For the entire stretch so far, from Tramway to Wyoming, we have 186 businesses, 132 (71%) of which are in business and 54 (29%) of which are out of business. 

Obviously, some of these buildings we post have been closed for a long time. I'm hoping readers will know something about them and share their stories. Thanks to those who are already doing just that. We are learning so much! Go New Mexico!