Minutes | May 5, 2021
Huning Highland Historic District Association Meeting
6:30pm | Preservation Station
OFFICER REPORT:
Officers reported three (3) residential burglaries, one (1) vehicle burglary and one (1) armed robbery. The issue of loud road racing was presented to the officers. We were advised that the State Police have been, and will continue to be, brought in to help. We were told businesses that are doing the modifications to the vehicles are going to be punished. In response to a complaint about the theft of a catalytic converter from a car parked in front of a home, the officers said that metal recyclers are also on their radar but closing these businesses takes a long time and during the process the metal recyclers establish their businesses at new locations. A neighbor advised the officers of a private property business on Iron and was given the e-mail of our police contact for further follow up.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS:
The signals at Walter and Lead and Walter and Coal are still pending. We have been told there are two outstanding issues. PNM must do a power drop and then a bid will be put out for construction. The bid process typically takes thirty (30) days and then construction can begin. The City estimates that construction will take six months. Realistically, the consensus is that the lights will not be in until 2022. Jen mentioned her frustration with the City regarding crosswalk maintenance. Apparently, the City thinks the crosswalks look great even though they were provided with photographic evidence to the contrary.
THE FIREHOUSE:
Gary Mallory with St George’s Church presented the Firehouse update. He advised us that he will be attending our meeting regularly, so we have updates on a more consistent basis. A Montessori school approached the Church about using the Firehouse, but the Church would like to make the necessary improvements to the Firehouse and use it for a possible recording studio for their chanters. Gary advised us that because the City has not made arrangements to remove a problem tree at the Firehouse site, he was going to look into it himself.
119 HIGH SE:
There is a sale pending on the property at 119 High SE. Landmarks will not allow the building to be torn down so changes made to the property will need approval from Historical Landmarks and input from our neighborhood. Ben advised that (ideally) the structure would be reconfigured into a three-unit condominium and a possible two-unit apartment for the secondary building.
323 HIGH SE:
David and Fernando presented their vision for the property located at 323 High SE. A rendering of the proposed project was passed around for review. Steve added that any project David and Fernando touch is gold and we all agreed. Bonnie will submit a letter giving this project the neighborhood’s approval.
ANNUAL MEETING:
The annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 4. Unlike the Block Party events of the past, this meeting will be low key, and everyone is being asked to bring something good to eat and even better to drink.
RESCUE PROPERTIES:
Dilapidated and vacated properties are on the radar again. It was suggested we put pressure on Landmarks to get involved and that we put together a list of properties we would like Landmarks to take notice of. It was also suggested that we approach these property owners with the offer to buy these properties in as-is condition. Fernando said that investors are always looking for this type of investment opportunity.
