July 2025 Meeting Minutes
6:30pm | Preservation Station | Bonnie Anderson presiding
APD Report
Brittany Martinez related the crime statistics for June. She is waiting to hear from ABQ Parking about parking issues brought to her attention by residents relating to parking issues near The Grove. Rain moved the meeting inside the historic gas station.
119 High St SE
Homewise has abandoned their construction plans and is selling the lot for sale. It is currently listed for $220,000. If anyone knows an interested party, contact information is available.
701 Coal Ave SE
Santiago Aceves is still striving to purchase the adjacent lot of 715 Coal NE. Demolition of the existing structure is scheduled to begin shortly. The north wall of the structure is the only part of the existing building that will be retained as part of the new construction.
213 Gold SE
The owner of this property is planning to sell and we do not regard its possible demolition as an historic or an architectural loss.
Fiber Optic Cable Installation
Currently there are crews installing fiber optic cable in the neighborhood on the south side of Central. Krista Smith related that there had been installation in and around her residence area last year. If any resident has issues with the construction, they are directed to call 311.
501 & 601 Central Ave NE
David Blanc has informed us that the project is a “No Go for Now” as current construction costs have ballooned the project to $15,000,000 over the previous budget.
501(c)(4) Progress
Our treasurer Salley Trefethen reported that we are close to finalizing the process to becoming an official 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. We are waiting for one more piece of paperwork to be approved and returned to us by the Feds.
Annual Election and Block Party
Krista Smith shared her sample mock-up of a proposed flyer for the event. Since we plan on using the same band who performed at previous block parties for entertainment, we are waiting on confirming their availability to choose the date. (Update: the event will be Saturday, Aug. 2.)
Krista related that her husband Quentin will use their smoker to provide pulled pork sandwiches in addition to the other items traditionally provided and neighborhood potluck.
Bonnie went over the election process for the two-year terms for the half of the board up for election each year. She also reminded the gathered that we are non-political. Politicians can show up to our event, but there will be no invitations, and no candidates will be permitted to give speeches.
A sign-up sheet was circulated to gather volunteers for set-up and clean-up crews. There was a suggestion that the starting time of the event be returned to 5PM, but the overwhelming majority chose the 6-9PM window.
Raynolds Addition Community Events
Bob Tilley and Janet Manry from Raynolds Addition Neighborhood Association were invited to our meeting by Krista, who has worked with them on Jane’s Walk events. They gave us detailed insight on their current array of community building events. It is hoped that their presentation may spark possible ideas for future community building events for Historic Huning Highlands.
Their events and services include small group neighbor hosted dinners, the Bike Valet at the Downtown Growers Market, a Community Garden, a Spring neighborhood cleanup, participation in the National Night Out and Christmas Eve Luminarias at 10th & Park.
Incipient ideas that bubbled up in discussion were a neighborhood event at Halloween and a neighborhood garage sale.
Additional Items
Carlos Michelen reported that the construction at the Alvarado Transit Center is continuing towards the long awaited at-grade overpass. There was no update on the completion date.