December Meeting Minutes
6:30pm | Preservation Station | Bonnie Anderson presiding
Board in attendance:
Carson, Ann
Anderson Bonnie
Cooke, Fiona
Esquivel, Elijah
Grassel, Kathy
Gonzalez, Moises/Thornton, Karla
Lantry, Ruth
Redford, Bruce
Sturge, Ben
Trefethen, Salley
Dobin, Howard
Here is a summary of the HHHDA meeting on December 6th.
Minutes from the November meeting/election were reviewed and approved.
Officer Report
Officer L. Davis, Crime Prevention Specialist from APD did not attend. Daniel Manzano, Deputy Director of Public Affairs & Downtown Liaison, assured us that there will be a representative from APD at the January meeting.
Holiday Hijinks
Co-chairs Fiona Cooke and Bruce Redford did a wrap-up for our highly successful fundraising auction that was held on December 2nd . The committee commended Greg Swyden, whose participation was key in the operation and success of the event. Attendees lauded the co-chairs, David (Fiona’s husband), Greg and the staff member from the Artichoke. The consensus of those attending was the event was that it was successful beyond even the most ambitious expectations.
The committee made three recommendations for the coming years. First, HHHDA should apply for 501(c)3 non-profit status. Without it we will always need a partner to use the Fundraising Nonprofit LLC system. There were issues with two of our proposed fund-sharing partners who backed out of accepting our partnership. Greg Swyden was able to get us a partner, 505 Locker, at the last minute, without which the auction may not have taken place.
Second, next year’s auction will need multiple sponsors. We need to cast a wider net, and we should plan to grow the event annually. Randi McGinn’s law firm was our sole sponsor as flirtations with local hotels led to disappointment. Third, the committee would like to expand the categories of goods and services, and we should seek to diversify the value/prices of the items up for bid. Jewelry and vintage children’s books were among the items mentioned. Bonnie secured commitments from Fiona and Bruce to co-chair our auction in 2024. Elijah volunteered to help.
119 High Street
Lisa Haval from Homewise updated the gathered on the status of their proposed conversion of the property to condominiums. The Landmarks Committee deferred the vote on their application and asked for modifications which included the removal of front parking and adjusting the setback and side spacing of the building to better fit with surrounding structures. The architect was not done with the drawings in time for Lisa to share them with us for our meeting. Homewise plans to resubmit the project to Landmarks next week with an anticipated hearing in January. The updated project proposes four two-bedroom and two one-bedroom units with 4 on-site parking spaces with two units using street parking.
There were questions from attendees regarding the exterior building materials and landscaping. There is no landscape architect for the project. Homewise will use similar plants to those already in the neighborhood. There were concerns raised about the use of composite wood and siding.
Central Overpass
Aaron Nieto, Daniel Manzano and Doug Small from the city of Albuquerque gave an update on the status of the construction of the long awaited at-grade pedestrian overpass. Initial digging commenced on the RailRunner sidewalk as projected. This is being done to discover if there are any utility line or items of historic importance underneath and hidden beneath previous constructions. Nothing of historical import nor utility lines have been found to date. They hope to conclude the exploratory phase soon and then commence the demolition of the archway that leads to the RailRunner platforms. If the survey concludes with no findings as expected, the estimate completion date of the southern at-grade pedestrian crossing should be by the conclusion of 2024.
In the meantime, the city has continued with security patrols and clean-up of the north tunnel. There will be no more power washes until temperatures warm in Spring. Some homeless have been using the tunnel for shelter and lighting fires for warmth. Encampments continue to be removed, but some have taken up residence in front of the One Central building. APD, security and the fire marshal will continue to monitor the tunnel situation. Daniel will be providing our group with updates since Aaron is leaving the city for the next step in his career.
I-25 “S” Curve Study
The Federal government is seeking to straighten the route of I-25 from Lomas to Gibson to address the number of accidents due to speeding in the curves. Two of the three proposed plans impact structures in Huning Highlands. The other option impacts commercial buildings that may belong to UNM and/or Presbyterian Hospital. A packet was distributed to attendees asking for them to respond to the government’s survey on the project by December 17th. Neighbors whose properties may be directly impacted asked the assembled to push for no changes on the highway but instead to address the speeders and reckless drivers. The EDo Association will be addressing the project at their meeting tomorrow, December 7th.
Good Neighbor Award
Ben Sturge was awarded the inaugural HHHDA Good Neighbor Award. Ann Carson, who nominated Ben, gave the gathered a background of Ben’s many contributions to our neighborhood, beginning with his work on 301 Walter SE. Pictures of six houses Ben has worked on were passed around the group. Ann and Bonnie presented Ben with our newly commissioned lawn sign which he will have for display for one month.
Immanuel Lutheran School Christmas Carols
Jennifer and Elijah Esquivel’s daughter, who attends the school, will be participating in a caroling group that is looking for residents interested in hearing them perform in front of their homes. Carols will be performed on Sunday December 9 th from 3 to 4 PM. The group will only be caroling between the north side of Coal and the south side of Central.
The meeting was adjourned. Next meeting will be on Wednesday January 3rd.
