A group of businesses along Albuquerque’s Central Avenue are trying to put the brakes on the mayor’s ambitious plan to install a $100 million rapid-transit bus system along the corridor.
Mayor Richard Berry wants to dedicate two lanes of Central, aka Route 66, along a 10-mile stretch for a series of buses that would mimic a light-rail system. Berry claims a bus-transit system on Central would lead the city to become a more high-density, transit-rich environment and make it more attractive for big-business investment.
According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, nearly 50 businesses in Albuquerque have joined to oppose Berry’s plan — mainly because construction of such a project would be too disruptive. The station talked to Steve Schroeder at Nob Hill Music:
“The sign on the front door is going to be the story of Nob Hill,” Schroeder said, referring to the “closed” sign on his door.
With one lane of traffic dedicated to the ART, he worries the already busy Route 66 will make driving, parking and walking worse, making potential customers think twice before heading that way.
The city is asking for a federal grant to pay for $80 million of the $100 million project.
“That is our first priority is to stop the funding,” Schroeder said.
The group, which has set up a website called Save Route 66 Central, is leading a postcard campaign to oppose the plan. The postcards would be mailed to the Federal Transit Administration, city councilors and the mayor.
As the station points out, opposition by the business community is not unanimous. It’s notable, however, the Save Route 66 Central group includes Route 66 stalwarts such as the Standard Diner, Kurt’s Camera Corral, Mannie’s Family Restaurant, Monte Vista Fire Station Restaurant and Bar, and Hiway House. That list undoubtedly will grow.
I, too, remain skeptical of Berry’s plan. Fears that two years of construction for the project would disrupt business along the Central corridor should be taken seriously. And Berry’s notion that buses would spur a higher-density environment in Albuquerque is presumptive at best. Smart zoning and mixed-use residential development to create the higher density should be the priority. Once the higher density happens, then you can worry about a rapid-transit system.
City officials should know next year whether Albuquerque wins the federal grant.
(Image of Central Avenue in Albuquerque by OpenThreads via Flickr)