Central Avenue -- Change Can be Good

Joaquin Baca, guest blogging for L&LNM Blogs Abq's Central Avenue

I walked from 10th street to Central and Lomas.  This is an interesting section. Not too long ago it was restriped from 2 lanes in each direction with a center turn lane, to 1 lane in each direction, bike lanes, parking and no center turns.  

I wasn’t sure how that was going to affect Central but after it was done, it made for a nicer driving experience due to slower traffic. I know that seems contradictory.  I drove during rush hour in order to experience traffic, and then walked the next day to count in/out businesses. The traffic was minimal and walking went ok despite the construction. 

Currently, a lot of construction is going on due to ART. It would be nice if it wasn’t stopped for the holidays and could be finished. I also wonder where they would be if work hadn’t been stalled for two months because of litigation.  

The Numbers
The numbers for this stretch are 47 (90%) in-businesses, including 11 condos/apt/houses, and 5 (10%) out-of-businesses. I added housing because ultimately people make a community, and the more people that live on Central the better it will be.  
[For the entire distance we've covered so far, we have counted 510 total businesses, 373 (73%) of which are in business and 137 (27%) of which are out of business. -- L&LNM]

Change Can be Good
An enormous amount has changed on this stretch over the years. I remember the curandera shop, the old bus station, empty lots, and apartments that burned down.  In their place now are quite a few new apartments and condos, restaurants, and businesses.  It looks like this area will be a walkable, thriving part of Central once the construction is done.

Having spent a good part of my youth in this part of town, I definitely feel a sense of loss over what no longer exists or what may soon disappear.  I definitely don’t agree with everything I see, but a lot of it is positive (including ART).  


Central is changing -- it always has been -- and I am hopeful that the growing pains we are feeling now are part of the revitalization of Central, our communities, and our city.