Plans are now advancing for the construction of a mixed-use housing project that will go up in the downtown Albuquerque neighborhood of Barelas.
The company Palindrome Communities, which is based in Portland, Oregon, earlier proposed building an affordable housing project that would also include some retail space and a taproom.
Property for the site, at the intersection of 2nd Street and Santa Fe, directly across from the Albuquerque Rail Yards, was purchased by Palindrome in 2008.
Although a zoning change for the project was approved last spring by the Albuquerque City Council, a local group known as the People’s Housing Project announced its opposition to that change, charging that Palindrome was not concerned with the best interests of the neighborhood.
The group also said the zoning change was adopted too quickly and without proper research.
But ultimately the council unanimously voted to maintain the zoning change for the project.
Palindrome has spearheaded a number of highly visible projects in Albuquerque, including the redevelopment of the famous El Vado Motel at 2500 Central Avenue SW.
The company is currently undertaking a makeover of the Imperial Inn Motel at 701 Central Avenue NE.
By Garry Boulard
