Somos Opens 70 New Homes in Albuquerque’s International District

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the City joined Sol Housing, community partners, and residents to celebrate the opening of Somos, a new mixed-income community at 7200 Central Ave. SE in the International District. 

For years, the City-owned property sat vacant next to Talin Market, a longtime neighborhood anchor. The site was once home to the Blue Spruce Lounge, which the City acquired in 2004 after it was identified as a problem property in the Near Heights Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan. That plan envisioned an International Marketplace built around Talin and other neighborhood businesses, with more housing, shops and activity along Central. Somos moves that vision forward, turning a long-vacant property into new homes and space for businesses while building on what is already here. 

“The International District already has an identity. Our job is to invest in it, not replace it, and make room for more people to be part of it,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Somos turns a vacant property into housing that people can afford at every stage of life. That is real progress, but we are far from finished.” 

Somos includes 59 income-restricted apartments and 11 market-rate apartments, with 80% of the homes reserved for people age 55 and older. Universal Design features and on-site amenities support residents as they age. The property is near Talin Market and the ART International District Station and includes ground-floor space for local businesses, along with new landscaping and lighting along Central and Alcazar. 

Somos is part of broader investment in this area, alongside the International District Library and plans to redevelop the State Fairgrounds. 

The City supported Somos by donating the land and approving a Redevelopment Tax Abatement through the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA). The seven-year tax abatement was valued at $514,376 when it was approved by City Council. 

“This property needed investment, and so does the surrounding area,” said MRA Director Terry Brunner. “The Near Heights plan called for more homes and businesses around the International District. Somos puts City land back to work and moves that vision forward.” 

Other project funding includes:

·                     A $4 million loan from the New Mexico Housing Trust Fund;

·                     About $1.6 million a year in 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for 10 years;

·                     $5.18 million in HOME funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;

·                     $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury; and

·                     $158,756 in Community Development Block Grant funds for infrastructure. 

"Somos translates to 'we are' and as we open the doors, we celebrate the cultural diversity of the International District,” said Felipe Rael, executive director of Sol Housing. “We are proud to partner with the visionary staff at the MRA Department and Health, Housing & Homelessness to transform a vacant lot into 70 new mixed-income homes for seniors, new landscaping along Alcazar & Central and welcome 2-3 commercial tenants which will create permanent jobs and contribute to the retail core anchored by the Talin Market." 

Somos is Sol Housing's fourth development in the area and its first with commercial space. HB Construction led construction, and Hartman + Majewski Design Group provided architectural services.