Take, for example, the seven mile Rail Trail proposed for the greater downtown area. Despite a world class design by renowned architect Antoine Predock and a reasonable investment forecast at about $60 million, critics are already dubbing the Trail "The Fentanyl Highway." They warn that the trail would only be a lair for muggers, drug dealers and other criminals who would attack defenseless tourists and residents.
Supporters argue that the city must continue to rebuild for future generations and not use crime and public safety as an excuse to back off. The brain drain among young residents 18-34 has been unrelenting this past decade, leaving the city without a significant professional class outside of government funded entities such as Sandia Labs and UNM.
That's not because of crime, although it is a factor, it's because there are fewer professional jobs and amenities to keep the brightest of the new generation here. Downtown is a modern version of its 19th century self, strewn with bars and not much else. While there have been a number of efforts made at reviving the area, the Trail offers a real vision to tie together the history of ABQ, creates a bona fide tourist attraction and could get people thinking about ABQ in a different and more positive light.
Of course, public safety must and will be a fundamental principle in developing the project but waiting for a miracle crime cure before acting will only mean more stagnation and paralysis.
Public works projects got a bad reputation when Mayor Berry's ill-fated ART project on Central soured the public and justifiably so. And there's been concern that ongoing redevelopment of the old Rail Yards near downtown could become another black hole but with a film academy now planned there, those fears have abated.
And the Rail Trail is not a badly drawn bus route. It's a vision for ABQ that could recapture some of the charisma and allure lost during difficult times. As the Downtown ABQ News put it:
The Rail Trail is set to be a seven-mile loop around Greater Downtown - equal parts pathway, park, and public artwork that aims to reflect the soul of the city and region back at those who traverse it. It is viewed as a transport project that will help people get around and a recreational amenity for locals and visitors alike. Another key goal is to inspire knock-on investment, particularly in the Downtown core and Wells Park, which are full of vacant properties or warehouses the city believes could be converted into more productive uses.
Isn't it time to put Breaking Bad in the rearview mirror and reimagine the ABQ of the future?
BIDEN AND MCGINN
One of those going amplifies on the event which will raise money for the Biden Victory Fund:
I am going to the fundraiser which is for the Biden Victory Fund today. The cheap seats are $3300 per person. Then if you want a picture with smilin’ Joe Biden it’s $10,000 and the next level is $25K and then $50K. Beyond the personal 3300 and the 10K you can qualify for the larger VIP amounts if you give or raise (call your friends).
McGinn is a nationally known criminal defense lawyer who has close ties to former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who endorsed her when she ran for the ABQ congressional seat in a special election in 2019. The nominee was selected by the Dem Central Committee and they chose Melanie Stansbury.
McGinn has been a longtime major donor to Democratic candidates.
Biden's ABQ visit is part of a three state western swing that also includes Arizona and Utah. He started at the Grand Canyon Monday and will hold a climate event there this morning before heading our way.
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023