Cutler Avenue Report
Executive Summary
Cutler and the surrounding area have all the characteristics, assets, and resources to become the next bustling commercial district in Albuquerque. City staff conducted a series of three different planning activities with neighborhood businesses to identify a suite of recommendations for supporting the development of a commercial district along Cutler. The activities included a site visit, Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis, and mapping exercise. These recommendations are aimed to help create a unique district, establish a sense of place and belonging among businesses, make infrastructure improvements to the public spaces that improve the quality of life in the area, bolster the transportation network through the area, and improve the sense of safety and security among patrons and businesses. These recommendations are classified in five major categories: Land Use, Transportation, Infrastructure, Marketing and Economic Development, and Safety.
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For each category, this report lists recommendations, potential funding sources, responsible entities, and establishes priorities. To accelerate implementation of these objectives an implementation table was created that organizes priorities into short, medium, and long term time frame, as well as identifying the priority level (high, medium, or low). The following recommendations are all identified as short term and a high priority:
- Street improvements that include striping and marking on-street parking, bike “sharrows”, and crosswalk improvements along Cutler.
- Install pedestrian scale light fixtures to PNM poles as an interim measure to improve visibility and safety.
- Install wayfinding signage to alert cyclists and drivers of connections between Cutler and the bike trail.
- Work with Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) to address sewer emissions in the area.
- Work with Albuquerque Metropolitan Area Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA) to address concerns with people occupying the storm drain.
- Add a speed hump across the entrance to Keshet’s driveway to divert storm-runoff.
- Work with the City Council Office to issue an RFP for a branding firm to market the area.
- Work with the Cultural Services Department to hold special events and block parties to make Cutler a vibrant commercial destination.
- Provide continued support to the @Midtown merchants association through the Office of Neighborhood Coordination.
- Establish a Security Assistance Funding Zone to provide financial support for public safety improvements in the area.
Pedestrian Improvements
Cutler Avenue pedestrian improvements.