The City of Albuquerque, along with Councilor Nichole L. Rogers of District 6 and the Albuquerque Housing Authority (AHA), is inviting residents, workers, and visitors of the International District to attend the sixth and final community meeting for the International District Choice Neighborhood Initiative. This meeting is the result of a planning process that began in Spring 2024 after the city and AHA received a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The ABQ Choice Neighborhood Grant has enabled the city and AHA to collaborate with local residents and a range of community organizations, including nonprofits, faith-based groups, service agencies, and businesses. The goal has been to develop a Transformation Plan focused on people, housing, and the neighborhood, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. The plan targets the redevelopment of three AHA properties—Wainwright Manor, Grove, and Pennsylvania apartments—while seeking to attract additional investment to the International District.
The HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative aims to ensure that current residents benefit from neighborhood changes by maintaining affordable housing or providing options to move into other affordable, accessible neighborhoods.
The upcoming community meeting will take place on Saturday, October 18th, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the International District Library at 7601 Central Ave NE. Attendees will have the opportunity to give feedback on the final plan’s goals, strategies, and projects. They will also learn about Early Action Activities, which are physical or economic development projects that take place during the planning phase to build confidence in the community and accelerate neighborhood transformation.
Linda Bridge, Executive Director of the Albuquerque Housing Authority, said: “This Choice Neighborhood Plan represents a monumental effort to transform key housing sites like Wainwright Manor, Grove, and Pennsylvania apartments into energy-efficient, mixed-income communities. We are nearing the finish line, and now is the critical time for the community to review the final details and ensure our collective vision for sustainable, viable housing is ready for implementation.”
Councilor Nichole L. Rogers stated: “Since the very beginning, the International District community has passionately driven this Transformation Plan, and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. This final meeting is a vital step for our district to solidify strategies that will lead to the development of more affordable public housing units, improved supportive services, high-quality education programs, and community beautification for everyone who calls this place home.”
The event will include open engagement activities, a community gallery with displays, and brief presentations throughout the afternoon. All members of the International District community are encouraged to attend and contribute to shaping the future of the district.
The Albuquerque Choice Neighborhoods Initiative focuses on redeveloping Wainwright Manor, Grove, and Pennsylvania apartments as part of broader investments in the International District.
