City Has Invested $160 Million in Rebuilding Underserved Neighborhoods
July 3, 2020
Since taking office in 2018, Mayor Tim Keller and his administration have made equity a priority by creating the City’s first Office of Equity and Inclusion, investing millions in youth programs in all neighborhoods, shifting some responses out of police and fire, and more.
That equity focus has also been extended to decisions about where to invest critical dollars that build or rebuild infrastructure like parks, roads, community centers, and other public infrastructure. From 2018 to 2020, the City of Albuquerque is investing over $164 million in Capital Improvement Projects in neighborhoods identified as economically-distressed by the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) and the Opportunity Index.
VIDEO: Mayor Keller highlights projects in the International District.
The Opportunity Index is an annual report developed by Opportunity Nation, a campaign of the Forum for Youth Investment, and Child Trends. The Index provides data that show what opportunity looks like in the United States, down to the zip code. New Mexico currently has an Opportunity Index score of 42.8 out of a possible 100, making New Mexico number 51, last in the nation. These investments are critical to improving opportunity for these communities and the entire city.
“The built environments of our neighborhoods can impact where we can go in life—and we know that’s a real challenge in cities all across the nation. Coronavirus has made that inequality more apparent than ever,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “These investments in our underserved areas represent more than brick and mortar—we are building opportunity that will make our whole city stronger.”
Historically disenfranchised communities that have received investments include:
- Trumbull Neighborhood – Over $5 million in investments
- La Mesa Neighborhood – Over $14 million in investments
- Barelas Neighborhood - Over $43 million in investments
- Kirtland Neighborhood – Over $8 million in investments
- San Jose Neighborhood – Over $790,000 in investments
- Santa Barbara/Martineztown Neighborhood – Over $31 million in investments
- Old Town Neighborhood – Over $8 million in investments
- Los Duranes Neighborhood – Over $2 million in investments
- Parkland Hills Neighborhood – Over $3 million in investments
- International District – Over $17 million in investments
- Los Volcanes Neighborhood – Over $6 million in investments
- West Mesa Neighborhood – Over $315,000 in investments
- Route 66 West Neighborhood – Over $1.9 million in investments
- Westgate Heights Neighborhood – Over $7.8 million in investments
- Vecinos Del Bosque Neighborhood – Over $2.4 million in investments
- Anderson Heights Neighborhood – Over $12 million in investments
- Stinson Tower Neighborhood – Over $1 million in investments
- Alamosa Neighborhood – Over $2.5 million in investments
- SR Marmon Neighborhood – Over $3 million in investments
VIDEO: Mayor Keller highlights projects in the International District.