City of Albuquerque workers have installed two metal archways in the Sawmill District as part of ongoing construction for The Rail Trail, a project aimed at economic development in the area. According to Terry Brunner, director of the city’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, the archways were designed by Predock Architects and fabricated by Pace Metals in the South Valley. Brunner stated, “… These contain unique, perforated images in metal that will project onto the trail.”
The Rail Trail is a seven-mile multi-use path that will connect Downtown Albuquerque and Old Town. Current work includes projects in both the Sawmill District and near Central Avenue and First Street.
Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce (GACC), emphasized that The Rail Trail aligns with the Chamber’s mission to foster a thriving business environment. She said that for years, the Chamber has supported this urban trail project, which will enable residents and visitors to traverse from historic Rail Yards through various city landmarks.
In addition to supporting The Rail Trail itself, the Chamber has advocated for forming a Business Improvement District (BID) and a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to help boost Downtown’s economy and complement ongoing developments related to the trail.
