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

Sat Jul 12 12:56:29 MDT 2025

As someone who has worked in direct homeless services, housing policy, and housing development, I can say the housing and homelessness crisis is more nuanced than people like to boil it down to. Yes: getting homeless people housed presents its own challenges, and they often need extra supportive care.

A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco showed that most people who became homeless did not have a history of drug use or mental health issues; but that homelessness is a trigger for mental health problems, which is often self-medicated through street drugs. It’s a tragic cycle.

By increasing the supply of affordable housing, and diversifying the housing supply more generally, we can hope to prevent further homelessness from occurring, stopping the cycle before it starts.

Ways to improve the supply of affordable and attainable housing includes changes to our zoning laws, which can make it easier for developers to build additional housing - and also for individuals to build casitas on their property to let to friends and family.

We can also help spur the development of housing by showing up to support policy changes and development projects at zoning and Council hearings. Our legislators don’t know what’s important to us unless we tell them.

I am a homeowner and resident in Nob Hill. I am also a board member of GENM (Generation Elevate New Mexico). We provide a platform for voices who have traditionally not participated in the hearing and planning processs to get involved. We encourage our members to speak up in favor of projects that will ultimately help our community thrive by providing information about the projects, dates of hearings, and methods to contact your representatives. Our membership is free and open to all. I encourage anyone who is interested to learn more at letselevatenm.org.

All the best,

Ciaran

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________
From: Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces at mailman.swcp.com> on behalf of P. Davis Willson via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2025 11:52:44 AM
To: Drew Lynde <drewlynde at gmail.com>
Cc: Angelica Archuleta Romero <angelicaromero at cabq.gov>; Ziarra Kirksey <zkirksey at cabq.gov>; Nichole L. Rogers <nrogers at cabq.gov>; Shelle via Neighbors_nobhill-nm Sanchez <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>; meyster1 at me.com <meyster1 at me.com>; Denice R. Lucero <dlucero at cabq.gov>; Diego L. Lucero <dllucero at cabq.gov>; Karl A. Ortiz <KOrtiz at cabq.gov>; Shelle Sanchez <svansanchez at cabq.gov>; NobHill Neighbors <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com>; TheBoard NobHill-NM <theboard at nobhill-nm.com>
Subject: Re: [Neighbors] Arts & Culture Department City of ABQ; Triangle Park

Drew, your point is so correct—many unhoused folk are too traumatized to even sleep indoors. The narrative being circulated by many (NAIOP, StrongTownsABQ, GENM, and even the Planning Department) that blames the lack of “affordable” housing on NIMBY-ism is a red herring. Neighborhood association appeals are not what delays development; in general, it is cost of materials, labor, financing, etc. The latest Resolution proposed by Councilor Fiebelkorn (allowing corner lots and those on corridors and arterials to ‘opt-in’ to up zone), along with the just-dropped Pre-EPC submittal for the 2025 IDO update https://abq-zone.com/ido-update-2025-citywide-ammendments-pre-epc-submittal seem follow Field of Dreams thinking:  “Re-zone it and they will build"

There are over 600 shuttered businesses along the Central corridor and other major streets (a Mark Twain NA resident has inventoried Central, parts of Menaul, San Mateo and San Pedro). The collapse of brick-and-mortar shopping, coupled with the difficulty of keeping a store open when there are drugs and sh*t on the sidewalk, will make next year’s centennial celebration of Rte. 66 a Potemkin Avenue…

At this morning’s Victory Hills NA cleanup, one of the scraps of paper I bagged had a list of priorities. For Nov. 4, top of list was “waking up” followed by “being able to walk”, then “my health, girlfriend, family". On Nov 12, the list said “brushing my teeth, showering, sponsor, family, health” A duplex is not going to help this person…

sadly,

Patty Willson

On Jul 11, 2025, at 5:19 PM, Drew Lynde via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>> wrote:

I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment, though never once have I seen Triangle Park invite anything but such a crowd.

Last time I walked through there I encountered a woman, unclothed from the waist down, mumbling something about “being the counter-messiah” (?)…the police substation was of course closed so I called it in as I quickly went on my way. Unforgettable memory, as much as I’ve tried to forget it.

This really gets to the heart of the matter where “housing first” policies are touted as some singular viable solution, where we obviously need a “pants first” policy that enables a compassionate yet enforceable means to bring people in mental health crisis into custody, where they will receive both mandatory sobriety treatment and mental health care they need so that the day may come where they do wear pants and they do have the ability to apply and qualify for subsidized housing and eventual gainful employment.

Sincerely,

Drew Lynde
3716 Arlote

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 11, 2025, at 4:18 PM, Flora Silva via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>> wrote:

Good questions Jenifer.  There is one very important issue that needs to be addressed.  Without a police presence, the Triangle will be overcome with drug addicts, homeless and individuals needing mental health assistance.  I have watched over the many years how Eubank/Central, Wyoming/Central, Pennsylvania/Central, Louisiana/Central, San Pedro/Central, and San Mateo/Central have become trashed and hubs for criminal activity. This happened slowly over time, block by block.  Is this what we want in Nob Hill?  For residents and administrators who may not know what many of us see on a daily basis, please do take a ride from San Mateo  to Eubank and you will see for yourselves.  Making renovations to the “park” at the Triangle is favorable but it will not be safe without APD presence.  The plan needs to include a replacement APD substation.

Flora

On Friday, July 11, 2025 at 12:31:38 PM MDT, Shoshana Handel via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>> wrote:

Wow.  I am totally convinced.  It sounds adorable and historically accurate.

Hopefully the triangle park will have a happy ending too.
On 07/11/2025 10:05 AM MDT Sanchez, Shelle via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>> 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<mailto:meyster1 at me.com> <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>
Sent: Thursday, July 3, 2025 11:38 AM
To: Sanchez, Shelle <svansanchez at cabq.gov<mailto:svansanchez at cabq.gov>>; Rogers, Nichole L. <nrogers at cabq.gov<mailto:nrogers at cabq.gov>>; Kirksey, Ziarra <zkirksey at cabq.gov<mailto:zkirksey at cabq.gov>>; Archuleta Romero, Angelica <angelicaromero at cabq.gov<mailto:angelicaromero at cabq.gov>>
Cc: Lucero, Diego L. <dllucero at cabq.gov<mailto:dllucero at cabq.gov>>; Ortiz, Karl A. <KOrtiz at cabq.gov<mailto:KOrtiz at cabq.gov>>; Lucero, Denice R. <dlucero at cabq.gov<mailto:dlucero at cabq.gov>>; Ortiz, Karl A. <KOrtiz at cabq.gov<mailto:KOrtiz at cabq.gov>>; chjasmith at gmail.com<mailto:chjasmith at gmail.com> <chjasmith at gmail.com<mailto:chjasmith at gmail.com>>; TheBoard NobHill-NM <theboard at nobhill-nm.com<mailto:theboard at nobhill-nm.com>>; NobHill Neighbors <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com<mailto: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 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
<image.png>

________________________________
From: Sanchez, Shelle <svansanchez at cabq.gov<mailto:svansanchez at cabq.gov>>
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2025 2:43 PM
To: meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com> <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>; Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com<mailto:nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>>
Cc: Lucero, Diego L. <dllucero at cabq.gov<mailto:dllucero at cabq.gov>>; Ortiz, Karl A. <KOrtiz at cabq.gov<mailto:KOrtiz at cabq.gov>>; Lucero, Denice R. <dlucero at cabq.gov<mailto:dlucero at cabq.gov>>; Ortiz, Karl A. <KOrtiz at cabq.gov<mailto: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<mailto:meyster1 at me.com> <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2025 9:28 AM
To: Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com<mailto:nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>>
Cc: Sanchez, Shelle <svansanchez at cabq.gov<mailto:svansanchez at cabq.gov>>; Lucero, Diego L. <dllucero at cabq.gov<mailto:dllucero at cabq.gov>>; Ortiz, Karl A. <KOrtiz at cabq.gov<mailto:KOrtiz at cabq.gov>>; Melodie Eyster <meyster1 at me.com<mailto: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 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com> <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 3:04 PM
To: Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com<mailto:nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>>
Cc: Shelle Sanchez <svansanchez at cabq.gov<mailto:svansanchez at cabq.gov>>; Lucero, Diego L. <dllucero at cabq.gov<mailto:dllucero at cabq.gov>>; Ortiz, Karl A. <kortiz at cabq.gov<mailto:kortiz at cabq.gov>>; Melodie Eyster <meyster1 at me.com<mailto: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

<image.png>

________________________________
From: Chris Smith <nmrealestatenow at gmail.com<mailto:nmrealestatenow at gmail.com>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 10:06 AM
To: Melodie and Gary Eyster <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>
Cc: Shelle Sanchez <svansanchez at cabq.gov<mailto:svansanchez at cabq.gov>>; Lucero, Diego L. <dllucero at cabq.gov<mailto:dllucero at cabq.gov>>; Ortiz, Karl A. <kortiz at cabq.gov<mailto: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

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