The City of Albuquerque is planning a new park along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and Louisiana Boulevard in the International District, with a new emphasis on public safety in the area.
The $3.5 million park will break ground later this summer, before Route 66’s centennial in 2026, reported KRQE-TV in Albuquerque.
“In addition to some athletic fields at the bottom we’re gonna have a sloped area around the edges where people can sit and enjoy, also a stage in one of the corners that’ll promote concerts and performances of all kinds and then a plaza area that will connect the park with the library,” said Dave Simon, Director of Parks and Recreation, city of Albuquerque.
There will also be a kids’ play area, and the city is letting neighbors decide between four design concepts. Councilor Rogers hopes the park and playground can help change the narrative in the international district. […]
For security Parks and Rec said they’ll have fences around the park and they’re planning to lock things up overnight. “We have some security on site here already that can look after the park and of course, we’ll have plentiful safety and security lighting throughout the park,” said Simon.
On a related note, District Attorney Sam Bregman, New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico Corrections Department’s Probation and Parole Division on Monday announced “Operation Route 66” to crack down on crime in the International District, reported the Albuquerque Journal.
Bregman later said there are too many people out in the open smoking fentanyl and committing other crimes.
“That’s coming to an end and that’s what this operation is about,” he said. “We are going to focus on cleaning this neighborhood up for the people that live here and the business that operate (here).” […]
While officials didn’t specify how many officers will be patrolling the streets, Bregman said there will be “dozens and dozens.” And more will be added after the 60-day legislative session ends, New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said.
The Albuquerque Police Department recently conducted a three-week operation along East Central targeting open-air drug use and drug trafficking.
(Artist’s rendering of the forthcoming park at Central and Louisiana in Albuquerque via International District Library Park)
Proposed park looks lovely.