Greetings Albuquerque,
For the past several weeks, our top priority has been keeping people safe during this 'new normal' that we are all experiencing.
There are folks on the front lines from first responders, healthcare workers, food workers, and more. There are our own City employees who are working around the clock to provide critical services to the most vulnerable - from making sure seniors are taken care of, to bus drivers helping kids get to their free meals at APS, and solid waste drivers keeping our city clean. They all deserve our gratitude.
I also want to thank all of you who are staying home, that is the most important thing you can do right now. Liz and I know that brings up its own challenges, like when you are on calls with your colleagues with your kids climbing on you.
We will get though this together by respecting others and stepping up for each other but there's no doubt it's an unprecedented and challenging time right here in Albuquerque, and all across the country.
Stay home if you can and stay safe.
Your Mayor,
Tim Keller
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Below is a listing of new City closures and adjustments:
Citywide
- All City buildings are closed to the public, as of 5 p.m., March 24. This includes City Hall. Signs will be posted instructing people how they can access the County Clerk’s office.
City Clerk
- All hearings are either postponed or will be held remotely.
Planning Department
- Plaza del Sol will be closed to the public.
- Permitting will continue via telephone, while inspections and field work will continue as normal.
- A drop box will be set up for applicants to drop any paperwork. Staff will pick up and review submissions and then set a time for applicants to pick up any permits.
Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
- All walk-in payment locations are temporarily closed. Payments may be mailed or made online.
Parks & Recreation and Citywide Youth Programs
- All Spring Break youth programs are canceled.
- City golf courses are closed
- All playgrounds in City parks are closed, although the parks themselves will remain open.
- Maloof Air Park is closed.
- Horsemen’s Complex is closed; however, owners must continue to care for their animals.
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Mayor Keller Announces Business Relief Program to Ease the Impacts of COVID-19
Offering $500,000 in grants for Albuquerque micro-businesses from City Economic Development Department
Mayor Tim Keller and the City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department announced a $500,000 Micro-Business Relief Program to provide vital economic support to Albuquerque businesses needing assistance in overcoming the temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. The City of Albuquerque will provide working capital grants of up to $5,000 for qualifying small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The City of Albuquerque will begin accepting applications on Monday, March 30, 2020.
For more information on all our efforts to support Albuquerque small businesses during COVID-19, and to apply to the Micro-Business Relief Program click the button below.
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ABQ Ride Goes to Saturday Schedules on All Routes
Changes start March 28th, include pause of ART Service
The City of Albuquerque is shifting to a Saturday schedule for its Monday through Friday service, and has decided to temporarily pause all ART bus service, starting Saturday, March 28, 2020. Sunday bus service will remain the same.
A Saturday bus schedule means no commuter bus service will be available and that several routes will be temporarily shelved. To see the full list of routes affected, click the button below.
We want to remind everyone that the rules of the road still apply when driving in the ART corridor. Stay out of the ART lanes and only make left and U-turns at the designated lights.
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APS, New Mexico Schools Closed for the School Year
As of Friday, March 27 all APS schools will be closed for the rest of the school year in response to the ongoing international coronavirus pandemic. The closure of all New Mexico public schools was ordered by the New Mexico Public Education Department to reduce the spread of the contagious virus. APS is working on a continuous learning plan for all students for the rest of the school year. In the meantime, supplemental online and printed learning materials are being provided for families.
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Senior Affairs Provides More Than 10,000 Meals for Seniors Since COVID-19 Outbreak
The City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs continues to provide essential services to seniors throughout the COVID-19 outbreak in New Mexico, including transportation to doctor appointments, care coordination and meals.
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Mayor Keller Pausing Plastic Bag Ban for 30 Days
Temporary change to help local business and food workers, reusable bags not a health risk but regulation to be strengthened later this year
For the next thirty days, businesses in Albuquerque will temporarily be allowed to use any type of plastic bag for their customers and the City’s Environmental Health Department will suspend enforcement of the plastic bag ban citywide. Businesses are still encouraged to use paper bags if available.
Mayor Keller was clear this was not a public health measure, as there is no independent data supporting the myth that reusable bags contribute to the spread of coronavirus. Instead, it is a measure of solidarity and support for local businesses and food workers in a time of uncertainty.
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City Investing $500,000 to Promote Central Avenue, Support Local Business
Mayor Tim Keller and City Council President Pat Davis announced an investment of half a million dollars into promoting Central Avenue in support of the local businesses that line Route 66. The City is seeking a professional marketing firm to develop and implement a marketing plan to promote Albuquerque’s Central Avenue as a destination and Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) as a way to access it. The campaign would be geared to bring locals back to Central, but also emphasize attracting tourists.
More information and full details of the RFP are available by clicking the button below.
Responses are due by April 28, 2020.
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Printable Stop Sign for Your Home
If you, or someone in your home, has a weakened immune system, you can print out a stop sign for your door here.
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Residents in need of assistance can find resources below:
- If you are displaying symptoms, contact the New Mexico Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453
- Childcare, food, etc
- If you are in an unsafe environment due to domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- To get information on Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, visit https://www.albuquerqueaa.org/wondering-about-the-coronavirus-and-aa-meetings/ or contact 505-266-1900
- The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line has counselors available 24/7 to speak at 855-662-7474.
- The Department of Senior Affairs can be reached at 505-764-6400. A full list of resources available for seniors can found at https://www.cabq.gov/news/coronavirus-impacts-on-city-services
- The Child Abuse Hotline can be reached at 505-841-6100.
- For Adult Protective Services, contact 505-476-4912.
- The Agora Center is available at 505-277-3013
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