Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole L. Rogers announced on May 19 the launch of a public voting campaign to choose the official name for a new neighborhood market in the International District at San Mateo Boulevard and Kathryn Avenue.
The initiative aims to improve access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown foods for residents of the International District and Council District 6 while supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. The project was funded after it received the most votes during last year’s participatory budgeting cycle, securing $949,000 from Councilor Rogers’ discretionary funding. Since then, nearly $2 million in additional state, federal, foundation, and city matching funds have been leveraged. A District 6 Food Policy Council and Market Working Group were also established as part of this effort.
“This market is a direct reflection of what our community wants and needs because the community voted to fund it through participatory budgeting,” said City Councilor Nichole L. Rogers. “Now, we are handing the reins back to the neighborhood to decide what this historic space will be called. If you live, work, or study in Council District 6, your voice matters most. It takes less than a minute to cast your ballot and help shape the identity of this vital community hub.”
Voting is open through May 31 using the Localist platform at https://www.localist.buzz/campaign/145. Banners with QR codes will be displayed around San Mateo Boulevard and Kathryn Avenue as well as nearby businesses so that more people can participate in naming the market.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and name reveal celebration are scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 at 1:30 PM at the southeast corner of San Mateo Boulevard and Kathryn Avenue SE.
Residents are also reminded that they can still submit ideas for community improvement projects through Participatory Budgeting Albuquerque until May 31 via an online portal.
Participatory Budgeting Albuquerque is described as a democratic process allowing city residents direct decision-making power over part of Albuquerque’s municipal budget by addressing grassroots neighborhood priorities directly with public tax dollars.
The City of Albuquerque operates under a council structure where members elect leadership annually; its government focuses on establishing goals, approving budgets, and preserving a merit system according to its official website.
