This summer, ABQ RIDE is set to host its inaugural event series at the Alvarado Transit Center (ATC) in downtown Albuquerque. The public transport service aims to rejuvenate the center by inviting the public to a series of resource and street fairs throughout the season. The seven-part event series includes small resource fairs from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 22, July 20, and July 24, along with street fairs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 25, June 29, July 27, and August 31.
The Summer at the Alvarado Resource Fairs will feature informational tables with educational materials on City of Albuquerque resources. These are designed to help families make the most of the summer season through various activities, programming, and enjoyable summer sites open to the public. Meanwhile, Summer at the Alvarado Street Fairs held on the last Saturdays of each month will offer music, vendors, educational resources, nonprofits, local shops, entertainment as well as food and drinks.
“These family-friendly events reinforce our commitment to revitalizing the heart of our city and moving downtown forward,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “They allow the community to experience for themselves the renewed life in the neighborhood while getting helpful resources for making summer activity plans.”
The ATC is a historically significant building styled after Mission Revival architecture inspired by Albuquerque's first train station—the Alvarado Hotel—and Harvey Houses along the railroad. The Transit Department continues to deliver improvements and operational efficiencies to ATC which include round-the-clock security, new lighting installations, re-striping and curb painting, enhanced wayfinding signage among others. A beautification project for landscaping is also in line.
“While frequent public transit users are familiar with this facility, ABQ RIDE wants the entire community to engage with ATC to encourage widespread usage of the transit system as a community resource,” said Transit Director Leslie Keener.
The official event pages for this event series can be found on ABQRIDE.com.
