Demonstrators from the People's Housing Project gathered last Wednesday in Albuquerque's historic Barelas neighborhood to protest against a proposed mixed-use development by developer Palindrome.
“The community is not fooled by this backhanded offer. How sad is it that when affordable housing is proposed to this community, it comes with profit-making motives by developers, investors and landlords," said Anna Lee DeSaulnier, demonstrator for the People’s Housing Project.
According to a press release reported on May 11, 2023, In an effort to stop developer Palindrome from making a zoning change that would allow a mixed-use development in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas neighborhood, a protest was held Wednesday May 10. Their disapproval of the proposed changes was expressed by demonstrators with the People’s Housing Project.
The lot sat empty directly across the Albuquerque Rail Yards before Palindrome acquired the property in 2008. In a statement, a Palindrome spokesperson said, "a mixed-use project would include a maximum of three stories to include affordable housing, retail spaces for small, locally owned businesses and what many neighbors said they are in opposition of, a local beer and wine taproom." Onastine Jaramillo, a Barelas resident, said, “Keeping this residential would keep all the work that our elders did in the past on getting alcohol out of the community and respecting that because Barelas is a diamond in the rough, and we kind of want to keep that integrity."
There are other people in the neighborhood who welcome the idea. “They feel the empty lot could use a little TLC,” said Luke Davis, a Barelas neighborhood resident. ”By doing projects like this, not only will it revitalize this empty parking lot where all sorts of stuff happens, it will house people."
One concern from the neighborhood is the developers will only be providing affordable houses for 15 years. According to Palindrome, it could be a minimum of 30 years, but the plans are still being worked out. Next Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the Plaza Del Sol building, a Planning and Zoning meeting is set for the project.
The clash between those in favor of the proposed mixed-use development and those concerned about its impact on the community's character reflects a broader debate over balancing economic progress and preserving neighborhood identity. As the discussions continue, the fate of the Barelas neighborhood hangs in the balance, and residents eagerly await the outcome of the upcoming meeting.