Albuquerque officials don’t like the vibe that the east end of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) exudes. So they say they’re going to take steps to make it friendlier to residents and travelers, reports KOB-TV.
After listening to hundreds of concerns, a complete overhaul in the area is coming with the establishment of new bike lanes, nature trails, and a concrete median to calm traffic trying to make a left across six lanes of traffic.
It’s all in the effort to take the “freeway feel” away from this area and transform it a place where people will want to spend time and money.
“At one point those business that existed there will now become a destination—or even areas where people would walk to or walk from one to another,” said Garduno, who hopes to restore the area once hailed as “the East Gateway to the City.”
There’s no funding to do all this right now, so it make take several years for the overhaul of East Central to happen.
The area that’s being considered is from Wyoming to Tramway on Central (map here).
UPDATE: Here’s KOB’s video of the story:
WOW – I know it can’t be done overnight, but what an awesome change it would be! The East Side has been home to the “War Zone”, drugs, prostitution and more for so many years, what a refreshing new outlook in an area long overdue. If Amarillo will join the cause with their East Side, what a great stretch of road we’ll end up with. I just hope they understand the importance of keeping all the old buildings too?