The city of Albuquerque has officially announced the completion of the Villa Agave redevelopment project. This project is a product of a public-private partnership involving the city’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) and Baker Architecture + Design.
The former St. Mary’s Convent, which was once an abandoned assisted living facility, has been transformed into 15 new housing units, thereby enhancing local streetscapes. The revamped site boasts over 12,000 square feet above-ground and a 3,000 square-foot basement. According to a press release by the city of Albuquerque, the City Council approved MRA incentives amounting to $400,000 and a Redevelopment Tax Abatement (RTA) to facilitate the project.
"Although working with old buildings brings additional challenges, as an architect I recognize that the most sustainable building is the one that's already built," said Mark Baker, an architect and developer associated with the project. He further added that "Revitalizing a building such as this one, especially in the Downtown core, has a much lower carbon footprint than a similar sized new build on the edge of town."
Terry Brunner, Director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA), emphasized on how projects like Villa Agave rejuvenate downtown areas while respecting their history. "Villa Agave breathes new life into our Downtown while still embracing the history of the neighborhood," said Brunner. "Through this partnership, we are working towards our goals of creating a sustainable and thriving urban core for Albuquerque residents and families."
According to information provided on its webpage by the city of Albuquerque, MRA aims to enhance Albuquerque's global competitiveness by revitalizing downtown and Central Avenue corridor. By fostering collaborative public-private partnerships and investing in sustainable infrastructure while promoting opportunities for residents and businesses alike, MRA envisions transforming Albuquerque into Southwest's leading mid-size city. This vision includes attracting economic investment, building vibrant communities reflecting diversity, innovation, culture, and history, and ensuring economic prosperity for all residents.