In a bold move to rejuvenate downtown Albuquerque, local business owners are banding together to establish a Business Improvement District (BID). This initiative aims to enhance safety and cleanliness in the area, encouraging more visitors and fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.

Key Takeaways

• Business owners are forming a Business Improvement District (BID) to improve downtown Albuquerque.
• The BID will fund additional resources for cleaning and safety patrols.
• A petition will be circulated to gain support from local businesses.
• The initiative aims to create a cleaner, safer environment to attract more visitors.

The Vision Behind the BID

Bill Keleher, a prominent local business owner, is spearheading the effort to create the BID. He has witnessed the ups and downs of the downtown area and believes that a cleaner and safer environment is essential for attracting more people.

Keleher stated, "Mostly what we need is people, people coming downtown and being here, and for that, it needs to be a little cleaner and a little safer."

The BID will require contributions from local business owners to fund enhanced services, including:

• Increased cleaning crews to address litter and graffiti promptly.
• Safety patrols to monitor the area and respond to incidents.
• Community events to draw visitors and promote local businesses.

Funding and Support

The proposed BID will expand upon existing city services that currently include a crew dedicated to cleaning and patrolling the streets. Keleher envisions a team that will work seven days a week, ensuring that any issues, such as graffiti, are dealt with swiftly.

To move forward, Keleher and his team must gather support from local businesses within the proposed district, which spans from Broadway Boulevard to 10th Street and Lomas Boulevard to Coal Street. They plan to start circulating a petition later this month, aiming to secure backing from more than half of the business owners in the area.

Challenges Ahead

While Keleher has garnered support from numerous property owners, not everyone is convinced of the need for a BID. Some business owners are hesitant about the additional financial burden, questioning whether the current state of affairs is satisfactory.

Keleher acknowledges these concerns, stating, "In a best-case world, you shouldn’t have to pay extra. But are you satisfied with the current state of affairs, and do you think that not taking action is preferable to taking action? I want to do something, and this is something that we can do."

The Path Forward

The success of the BID initiative hinges on the ability to rally support from the business community. If the petition receives the necessary backing, the proposal will be presented to the city council for approval.

Keleher remains optimistic about the potential impact of the BID, emphasizing that a collective effort can lead to significant improvements in downtown Albuquerque. By investing in the area’s cleanliness and safety, business owners hope to create a more inviting environment that will attract both locals and tourists alike.

As the petition process begins, the future of downtown Albuquerque hangs in the balance, with business owners taking the lead in shaping a brighter, more vibrant community.

Sources

• Business owners unite to try to improve downtown, KOB.com.