Salt Lake City.....lessons for Albuquerque (Navajo: lofts, homes, neighborhood)
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slc air pollution is so bad it was #1 even before los angeles and with everyone driving in its going to get worse. with the boom every living place downtown is an airbnb
I agree... Been to Salt Lake City on business probably 15 to 20 times, 20+ years ago. I don't need to or want to go back. Too many other places for us to explore...
I was there only once, about 25 years ago for a conference, and enjoyed my visit. But what "lessons" people in Albuquerque should learn, I'm not sure. Do Cleveland, Des Moines, Memphis, or Tucson take "lessons" from Salt Lake City? I don't think so. I don't see why we need to (and rather resent the suggestion). We should focus on the positives that make us unique and not try to be like some other random city. One thing that keeps me here is that you know you're not someplace else when you're in New Mexico, we have a unique sense of place and history, and I think Albuquerque as the largest city with its central location in the state takes advantage of this. But I'm not sure that people who live on the outer western edges of the metropolitan area are really tapped into it. We could do more to rein in the sprawl.
Spent all of last week in Salt Lake City: highly impressed. With everything.
But the whole time I was there I was wondering why Albuquerque couldn't do some of the things that SLC did. Excellent light rail, a bustling downtown (even at 9 PM on a Wednesday night), events with music and bands on the common plaza (and packed, and beer and wine and food trucks as well, compared to the rest of the state, Salt Lake City is minority Mormon and the bar scene in SLC is thriving), indoor downtown shopping mall (an urban trend from 20 years ago but still thriving in SLC), clean, friendly, secure. Neighborhoods (even poorer ones) seemed to be a step up in maintenance, upkeep, appearance, and overall vibe.
Salt Lake City is smaller than ABQ in population (though you'd never know it from looking at it), though the metro populations are similar. Even have the mountains to the east like ABQ, the flagship state university is in town in both SLC and ABQ, and I saw a Salt Lake City Bees minor league baseball game at their ballpark south of downtown where they played...Albuquerque. A lot of commonalities.
Drove back and landed in ABQ yesterday....before going home I had dinner at the Andaluz and walked around downtown (didn't want vacation to end), and just got a bit disappointed in walking around. Salt Lake City was downright thriving and cosmopolitan in comparison.
This is the first time I've heard Salt Lake City's downtown described as 'bustling.' Healthy and not rundown? Yes, but bustling? I think not.
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Originally Posted by funkymonkey
If anyone tried to put in a light rail in ABQ I'm sure there'd be riots in the street. You can be sure SLC didn't build theirs without the blessing of the Mormon Church. Even the redevelopment in downtown SLC was backed by the church.
Albuquerque will have to develop in its own way, and there is development going on in the Nob Hill to Old Town corridor. Many new hotels & apartments, redevelopments of derelict motels, etc.
Metro SLC is 30% bigger population than ABQ, and the combined statistical area is double that of ABQ-SF-LV
Yes, the LDS Church is a MAJOR financier of Salt Lake City development, especially its downtown. The Church owns the City Creek Center with all of the shopping referenced.
Because they sought out businesses to locate there and in surrounding communities, while ABQ sought out federal government spending.
I'm curious as to why NM never has been capable of generating enough business and/or attracting enough business interest from other places so as to noticeably improve the economy.
One thing that keeps me here is that you know you're not someplace else when you're in New Mexico, we have a unique sense of place and history,
You are retired or close to retirement, correct? This is fine for somebody in your position, but is inadequate for young people who need to be able to have opportunities.
I'm curious as to why NM never has been capable of generating enough business and/or attracting enough business interest from other places so as to noticeably improve the economy.
Not a lot of businesses beating down the door so they can pay Gross Receipts Tax.
You are retired or close to retirement, correct? This is fine for somebody in your position, but is inadequate for young people who need to be able to have opportunities.
I moved here in my mid-20's and New Mexico culture is what has kept me here. I had no shortage of opportunities especially exploring the great outdoors, archaeological sites, and local culture. I was all too happy to flee the rat-race environment of the East Coast and never looked back. New Mexico provides a different outlook and many people are attracted to that. Judging from the amount of time you spend reminiscing in the NM forums you obviously miss it.
I moved here in my mid-20's and New Mexico culture is what has kept me here. I had no shortage of opportunities especially exploring the great outdoors
You misunderstood me. I'm not talking about recreational opportunities, I'm talking about economic opportunities.
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Judging from the amount of time you spend reminiscing in the NM forums you obviously miss it.
I miss aspects of it. But I would like to see improvements. I would like to see crime go down, drug abuse reduced, and more economic opportunities. Everybody with a vested interested in NM needs to do their part. I personally do my part by giving opportunities to my nephews that they otherwise wouldn't have - I help them financially with their education and I pay for them to accompany me on my travels so they can experience other places because travel is an important component of a well rounded education.
Other things that can be done include tutoring and mentoring in your area of expertise; helping out with local charities, either financially or volunteering. Anything you can do to improve access to education, to encourage positive thinking, to encourage locals starting and participating in local business.
Albuquerque's economic turnaround and growth is beginning to be recognized. It was named as one of the top ten large metro areas for economic growth potential.
The state's education and training programs and incentives as well as the strength of Albuquerque's tech scene were cited as reasons for Albuquerque's ranking.
Albuquerque is on an upward trend and trajectory. Lots of exciting things are happening right now and setting us up for future success. The narrative will change once more people discover and see what actually is happening here.
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