[Neighbors] Arts & Culture Department City of ABQ; Triangle Park

kingkb kingkb at swcp.com
Fri Jul 11 11:09:13 MDT 2025 

Well I, for one, am now quite jazzed about the visitor center and 
celebration! Hope to experience this little diner there ~ and delighted 
at the care that has been taken to preserve the furnishings and honor 
the wishes of the donors :)

On Jul 11 2025 10:05 AM, Sanchez, Shelle via Neighbors_nobhill-nm wrote:

> Dear Nob Hill Community,
> 
> Thank you for providing the Department of Arts & Culture the 
> opportunity to share our ideas about changes Triangle Park during the 
> recent Neighborhood Association meeting.
> We understand the passion and pride you feel for your neighborhood -- a 
> historic, vibrant, and essential part of Albuquerque. That's exactly 
> why we are working to be fully transparent and engage community 
> stakeholders regarding the Department of Arts & Culture's proposal to 
> relocate the Little Diner (a historic Valentine Diner) from Triangle 
> Park to the Route 66 Visitors Center.
> We hear your concern: that something beloved might be taken away from 
> Nob Hill. But we ask you to see this move not as a loss, but as an 
> opportunity -- for cultural preservation, for honoring a long-overdue 
> promise, and for lifting up Nob Hill's unique place in the story of 
> Route 66.
> A Commitment That Was Never Fulfilled
> The Little Diner was originally donated to the City's Albuquerque 
> Museum in 1993 by the Hernandez family, who operated it for nearly 50 
> years along Route 66 in Downtown. Their intent -- and the City's stated 
> commitment -- was that this historic structure would become part of the 
> Albuquerque Museum's Sculpture Garden and be open to the public as a 
> celebration of Route 66 and small business heritage.
> But that vision was never realized.
> Instead, during the late 1990s, the diner was moved from museum storage 
> and re-purposed as a police substation in Nob Hill. As a result, it has 
> never fulfilled its original purpose and the intent of the original 
> donation: to tell the story of our city's entrepreneurial spirit and 
> its role in the legendary Route 66 journey.
> A Time for Restoration and Recognition
> Now, with the 2026 Route 66 Centennial approaching, we have an 
> opportunity -- and a responsibility -- to do right by the original 
> donors, the Hernandez family, and by Albuquerque's collective memory. 
> By relocating the Little Diner to the Route 66 Visitors Center, we can:
> 
> * Restore the Diner to its original state with the authentic 
> furnishings and fixtures that have been carefully preserved in storage 
> for over 20 years.
> * Honor its Legacy in a space dedicated to Route 66 storytelling, where 
> it will be seen, experienced, and appreciated by visitors and locals 
> alike.
> * Preserve this Rare Piece of History intact -- not as a repurposed 
> building, but as a living tribute to a vital era of Albuquerque's 
> growth.
> 
> Nob Hill is Not Being Left Behind
> We want to be clear: this relocation is not about removing value from 
> Nob Hill -- it's about adding value citywide while continuing to invest 
> significantly right here in your neighborhood.
> As part of the Route 66 Centennial celebration, we're launching an 
> 18-stop, art-fueled road trip along Central Avenue. Of those 18 stops, 
> three (3) will be right in Nob Hill -- including Triangle Park 
> (proposed), M'tucci's Courtyard (confirmed), and The Guild Theatre 
> (confirmed). This means more visitors, more walking traffic, and more 
> opportunities for local businesses to thrive.
> Our proposal to move the Little Diner, also includes thoughtful 
> proposals about physical changes to Triangle Park (if the Diner is 
> moved) and programmatic enhancements/activations for Triangle Park in 
> partnership with Nob Hill Mainstreet.
> The City of Albuquerque is also making broader infrastructure and arts 
> investments across the Route 66 corridor -- including historic signage 
> restoration, lighting, housing developments, a new park in the 
> International District, and more.
> Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
> Cultural preservation is about context. The Little Diner belongs not 
> only to Nob Hill and to Downtown -- it belongs to the story of Route 66 
> and Albuquerque's entrepreneurial heart. Placing it at the Route 66 
> Visitors Center allows the Department of Arts & Culture to restore this 
> rare architectural and cultural artifact -- while also continuing to 
> make investments that celebrate and elevate Nob Hill as one of the 
> crown jewels of that same legacy.
> We thank you for your passion, your voice, and your continued 
> partnership as we move toward a Centennial that celebrates all of 
> Albuquerque. We look forward to more discussions with Nob Hill business 
> owners and residents of Nob Hill neighborhoods as we continue to 
> prepare for the Route 66 Centennial celebration and the next 100 years 
> of Central Ave.
> In addition to discussions with additional stakeholders, we will be 
> presenting the Little Diner proposal for discussion in an upcoming 
> public meeting. Please join us if you would like to share your input:
> Route 66 Visitors Center Commission Meeting
> July 22, 3pm, Route 66 Visitors Center
> 
> We look forward to more input in the coming weeks as we continue to 
> present and discuss this proposal with stakeholders across the 
> Albuquerque community.
> 
> sincerely,
> 
> shelle sanchez, phd
> 
> director, arts & culture
> 
> city of albuquerque
> 
> m 505.321.9639
> 
> -------------------------
> 
> From: meyster1 at me.com <meyster1 at me.com>
> Sent: Thursday, July 3, 2025 11:38 AM
> To: Sanchez, Shelle <svansanchez at cabq.gov>; Rogers, Nichole L. 
> <nrogers at cabq.gov>; Kirksey, Ziarra <zkirksey at cabq.gov>; Archuleta 
> Romero, Angelica <angelicaromero at cabq.gov>
> Cc: Lucero, Diego L. <dllucero at cabq.gov>; Ortiz, Karl A. 
> <KOrtiz at cabq.gov>; Lucero, Denice R. <dlucero at cabq.gov>; Ortiz, Karl A. 
> <KOrtiz at cabq.gov>; chjasmith at gmail.com <chjasmith at gmail.com>; TheBoard 
> NobHill-NM <theboard at nobhill-nm.com>; NobHill Neighbors 
> <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com>
> Subject: Re: Arts & Culture Department City of ABQ; Triangle Park
> 
> Dear Dr. Sanchez, Thank you for the update from Deputy Director Lucero 
> at our board meeting Tuesday. This was the first we had heard of a plan 
> to possibly move the Valentine diner and demolish or repurpose the 
> building at the triangle. We are
> 
> Dear Dr. Sanchez,
> Thank you for the update from Deputy Director Lucero at our board 
> meeting Tuesday.
> This was the first we had heard of a plan to possibly move the 
> Valentine diner and demolish or repurpose the building at the triangle. 
> We are surprised and disappointed by this top-down decision-making 
> process and its outcomes. Neighborhood associations and community 
> voices are not popular at the moment but we know from long experience 
> that decisions that come from many voices, that benefit from many 
> creative viewpoints, are the best decisions. We urge a more 
> comprehensive plan for the park.
> 
> *
> ·         The plan should address the park's camping issue.
> *
> ·         The diner has become part of the fabric of the community. It 
> didn't start in Nob Hill but it's been there 30 years and the community 
> feels a sense of ownership. It is highly compatible with the 
> mid-century character of Nob Hill.
> *
> ·         Although we now have the University substation, the diner 
> could still function as a remote location for APD so they can have a 
> base in the community they serve.
> *
> ·         The Marriott Tribute hotel is coming a block away with 112 
> rooms. UNM is adjacent to the park. The diner could fill a valuable 
> cultural/tourism role by activating it as a minimally-staffed visitor 
> information facility like the one in Old Town. It could point people to 
> other attractions in the city including the Rt. 66 Museum.
> *
> ·         The park is hot and stark. It is treed by Ash trees that are 
> not healthy and will never make it a shady oasis. It needs 
> better-adapted trees.
> 
> Your plans need to address these concerns to transition the park into a 
> safe place we can use. The Centennial is important but so is the next 
> 30 years.
> This statement of position was approved by unanimous vote of our board 
> of directors.
> Kind regards,
> Gary Eyster, President
> 
> -------------------------
> 
> From: Sanchez, Shelle <svansanchez at cabq.gov>
> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2025 2:43 PM
> To: meyster1 at me.com <meyster1 at me.com>; Chris Smith 
> <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>
> Cc: Lucero, Diego L. <dllucero at cabq.gov>; Ortiz, Karl A. 
> <KOrtiz at cabq.gov>; Lucero, Denice R. <dlucero at cabq.gov>; Ortiz, Karl A. 
> <KOrtiz at cabq.gov>
> Subject: Re: Arts & Culture Department City of ABQ; Introductions and 
> NHNA Meeting Attendance
> 
> Gary,
> 
> Thank you so much! We only need a few minutes to update you on the Arts 
> & Cutlure Department's Route 66 Centennial engagement efforts and our 
> proposed changes to the triangle park.  Deputy Director Diego Lucero is 
> managing these efforts and so he will attend your meeting and provide a 
> brief update about our projects.
> 
> sincerely,
> 
> shelle sanchez, phd
> 
> director, arts & culture
> 
> city of albuquerque
> 
> m 505.321.9639
> 
> -------------------------
> 
> From: meyster1 at me.com <meyster1 at me.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2025 9:28 AM
> To: Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>
> Cc: Sanchez, Shelle <svansanchez at cabq.gov>; Lucero, Diego L. 
> <dllucero at cabq.gov>; Ortiz, Karl A. <KOrtiz at cabq.gov>; Melodie Eyster 
> <meyster1 at me.com>
> Subject: Re: Arts & Culture Department City of ABQ; Introductions and 
> NHNA Meeting Attendance
> 
> Shelle, We could offer 6-8 minutes to present and a few minutes for Q 
> and A if you like. Please firm up by about June 24. Kind regards, G 
> From: meyster1@ me. com <meyster1@ me. com> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 
> 2025 3: 04 PM To: Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow@ gmail. com>
> 
> Shelle, We could offer 6-8 minutes to present and a few minutes for Q 
> and A if you like.
> 
> Please firm up by about June 24.
> 
> Kind regards, G
> 
> -------------------------
> 
> From: meyster1 at me.com <meyster1 at me.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 3:04 PM
> To: Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>
> Cc: Shelle Sanchez <svansanchez at cabq.gov>; Lucero, Diego L. 
> <dllucero at cabq.gov>; Ortiz, Karl A. <kortiz at cabq.gov>; Melodie Eyster 
> <meyster1 at me.com>
> Subject: Re: Arts & Culture Department City of ABQ; Introductions and 
> NHNA Meeting Attendance
> 
> Yes, Chris. July 1, 6:30 pm.
> 
> Mayor may be coming.
> 
> Kind regards, Gary
> 
> -------------------------
> 
> From: Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 10:06 AM
> To: Melodie and Gary Eyster <meyster1 at me.com>
> Cc: Shelle Sanchez <svansanchez at cabq.gov>; Lucero, Diego L. 
> <dllucero at cabq.gov>; Ortiz, Karl A. <kortiz at cabq.gov>
> Subject: Arts & Culture Department City of ABQ; Introductions and NHNA 
> Meeting Attendance
> 
> Gary - good morning.
> 
> Copying Dr. Shelle Sanchez, Director of Arts and Culture Department on 
> this email.  She would like to connect and present some upcoming 
> activities, etc related to Route 66 Centennial.   Part of her team is 
> copied on this email as well.
> 
> Shelle and I met this morning and wanted to make a connection.  Your 
> next meeting is July 1st at 630 pm, correct?
> 
> Thank you, Chris
> 
> SEARCH MLS LISTINGS HERE (For Sale) [1]
> _______________________________________________
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> Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com
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> This Message Sent To: kingkb at swcp.com


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