[Neighbors] Wellesley-Silver Apartments Update

[Lindsay at Nob Hill News]

Hi Neighbors,

I know a lot of folks in Nob Hill have been wondering about the stalled
development at Wellesley and Silver. We ran a story in today's issue of Nob
Hill News with an update. Since so many people have asked, I'll go ahead
and share it with the listserve.

I always like to say that journalism is part of a *healthy community
ecosystem*. If you want to support us in doing more stories like this in
your area, please consider subscribing today at www.abqnobhillnews.com.

And many thanks to our nearly 200 paid subscribers so far! *You make these
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Slow Progress on Wellesley-Silver Project, Central Avenue Lights Restored,
New Comic! Get a NHN Sign and More
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3989250&post_id=171950731&utm_source=post-email-title&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=57hqvx&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMTQ5MTYxODksInBvc3RfaWQiOjE3MTk1MDczMSwiaWF0IjoxNzU3MDY5MTE4LCJleHAiOjE3NTk2NjExMTgsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0zOTg5MjUwIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.7E8l2IwKfYDf99ZM-Ow96Jwh9i2zYB7_luBRYJC2IOU>

*Work Moves Slowly at Wellesley-Silver Apartment Site*

*Developer mum on project’s timeline*
By Damon Scott
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The
site at 208 Wellesley Dr. SE is expected to be an apartment development.
(Photo: Damon Scott)

A stalled Nob Hill apartment project at 208 Wellesley Drive SE that’s been
in the works for years looks like it might finally be progressing.

Months after demolition work was completed on the southeast corner of
Wellesley and Silver Avenue to make way for about 40 apartments, the site
has sat empty—except for trash, weeds, debris and signs of illegal camping.
The walled grounds, which are about an acre in size, used to feature four
homes built in the 1930s which had been deteriorating.

Developer Rex Cohen bought the property with the intention to create a
three-story complex with around 40 pueblo-style apartments. About a year
ago, he said site preparations would begin in the first quarter of this
year. While it didn’t happen, there are signs it might before the end of
2025.

A fence was installed around the site a couple of weeks ago by TriWest
Fence including signs with arrows to direct pedestrian traffic. When
reached by Nob Hill News, Cohen said he’d provide an update on the project
when it was closer to completion, without divulging further details.
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Progress
has stalled since demolition work was completed. The site contains trash,
weeds and debris. (Photo: Damon Scott)
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A
fence was recently installed around most of the perimeter. (Photo: Damon
Scott)

“Neighbors have assuredly noticed the increased activity at the site,” he
said in an Aug. 25 email. “We’ve been busy getting the site ready for
grading. We should be starting in the next few weeks and things should
progress even quicker from there.”

The city’s Planning Department, meanwhile, said it received a permit for
the project Aug. 1 and that it’s under review. The review is designed to
ensure the work will meet codes and regulations prior to approval.

In a message on the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association listserv about a year
ago, Cohen said he’d been “waiting to see where interest rates would
settle,” before starting work in earnest at the site. The message also said
he was moving forward on a parking plan and other aspects of the project.

Since then, Nob Hill residents have expressed concerns that construction
hasn’t started and that the site resembles a landfill.

“There is at least one homeless man living back by the concrete, cleverly
camouflaged between the concrete pile and the wall,” Nob Hill resident
Catherine Hubbard said. “He has put up a tent and has been there all
summer.”

Nob Hill Neighborhood Association president Gary Eyster attended a public
meeting at the site about six months ago when Cohen presented drawings of
an in-progress project plan.
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The
development is to consist of pueblo-style apartments. (Rendering via
Hartman + Majewski Design Group)

“The indication was that they’re moving along. I really hope they are. If
they are not, they really need to clean that site up a lot and the sooner
the better,” he said.

Eyster, Hubbard and others also have concerns about trees on the site. Many
have been cut down since the demolition work, but there are still five
mature pine trees standing.

“I'm hoping they continue to get water and trees and root zones are
protected during construction. They were not during demolition,” Hubbard
said.

City forester Bonnie Strange said the developer was asked to preserve the
remaining pine trees. Located in the right-of-way, the city has the
authority to ask that they be maintained, she said.

“They were also asked to water those trees every other day, deeply, so that
roots can absorb the water,” Strange said in an email. “The trees that were
cut down were mainly tree of heaven (invasive) and some locust and elm
trees that weren’t in great shape to begin with.”
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Remnants
of illegal camping can be seen at the northeast corner. (Photo: Damon Scott)

-- 
Lindsay Wood

Nob Hill News Publisher
m (505) 235-9964
lindsay.wood at abqnobhillnews.com
www.abqnobhillnews.com
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