Day 2 | Thursday Dec. 8

8:00 AM - The morning was a bit chilly, and proper cup of coffee was the first thing on everyone’s mind. So, we all head out to meet up at the Starbucks at Avanyu Plaza, a thriving destination hub in the heart of Albuquerque. This particular Starbucks is of great cultural and historic importance because it is the largest Starbucks in New Mexico, that happens to be located within the historic 19 Pueblos District.

It is also the only freestanding Starbucks Coffee licensed to a Native American-owned company in the United States. It features Pueblo-inspired architecture, a spacious outdoor patio, two kiva fireplaces, and a community meeting room. The handmade Pueblo pottery and art commissioned specifically for our location makes this Starbucks unlike any other.

Exterior and interior images of the Starbucks at Avanyu Plaza, located within the 19 Pueblos District

8:30 AM - We did not stay long, and had a quick huddle regarding the rest of the day’s agenda. From there we hopped in the same SUV and headed over to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), where we were to have breakfast at their signature “Indian Pueblo Kitchen” restaurant.

Front entrance of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Once there, we were met with a warm greeting by one of IPCC hosts and seated along with Michael Canfield / CEO, Monique Fragua / COO, the IPCC Grants Director, and others representing their organization. We were also joined by 2 people from MASS Design.

Inside the lobby of the IPCC, and attendees seated inside the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, while ABQ team makes intros

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the Gateway to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and serves as a gathering place where Pueblo Culture is celebrated through creative and cultural experiences, while providing economic opportunities to Pueblo and local communities.

Signage at the marquis of the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, a teaching kitchen / restaurant at the IPCC

The IPCC is located at the heart of nearly 80 acres of land owned by the 19 Pueblos and governed by the 19 Pueblos District at the former location of the Albuquerque Indian School (1881-1982). The IPCC is comprised of a museum, gallery space, collections of murals and other Native arts and artifacts, a library, archives, an education department, a teaching kitchen / restaurant, and cultural programming and events, celebrating Pueblo culture.

Portraits of the Governors of The 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, hanging on the walls at the IPCC

9:45 AM - After a wonderful breakfast with leaders from IPCC sharing a discography of projects, initiatives, and ventures they have self-funded and developed over the past several decades, we went to one of their sites, which is currently the backdrop for another round of ground up developments on their native lands.

Michael Canfield, CEO of IPCC, one of the many 19 Pueblos of New Mexico commercial developments

After a tour of their new development site and discussing “other possibilities.” It was encouraging to learn that the Pueblo leadership would be very interested in not only doing a new housing development on their native land (or land in which they acquire), but they are also open to the possibility of a joint venture that would include the City of Albuquerque, ABQ Economic Development, The 19 Pueblo Tribes, and other partners. The approach discussed would involve taking a shared approach to certain infrastructure items, as well as the 19 Pueblo Tribes doing a deal outside of their native land. This would be a game-changing approach, if done correctly.

11:00 AM - The next part of the day was spent preparing for our meeting with the mayor and other departmental leaders from his staff. Once we arrived at City Hall, we were taken to the Office of Equity and Inclusions, where we met more staff from that team and toured their offices.

11:15 AM - From there we were ushered to the main conference room where we were joined by the honorable Mayor Tom Keller and several key directors from various departments including: 1) Allen Varela, Director of ABQ Planning Dept., 2) Terry Brunner, Director of ABQ Economic Development, and 3) Lisa Huval, Deputy Director of ABQ Housing Authority. Michelle Melendez, Director of OEI and her team of Dawn Begay and Nichole Rogers were there as hosts of the meeting and Elena Baranes and Shawn Evens of MASS Design were there to offer their findings.

The Albuquerque CTG Workplan and Planning / Analysis Report by MASS, Linda Fowler L and Michelle Melendez R

Michelle opened the floor to the guests to introduce themselves to the mayor. After brief introductions and welcome, MASS Design presented the high-level findings of their Needs Assessment and distributed hard copies of their Site Planning and Analysis Report. There were three sites of interest being considered for the development and MASS did a good job of presenting their perspectives on unit counts, housing options, etc.

From left to right, Elena Baranes (MASS), Dawn Begay, Allen Varela, Nichole Rogers, and Mayor Tom Keller (Albuquerque)

After MASS presented, the conversation shifted to the Living Cities Albuquerque Workplan, where we discussed the deliverables, timelines, financing, leveraged opportunities, and more. Additionally, there was discussion centered around a possible transfer agreement for Site #1 to the Sawmill Land Trust, and development rights that would ensue if a deal was consummated. The mayor also requested the team consider all sites, within a contingency framework. We were able to speak to their impressions of the Site #1, with the acknowledgement that the other sites were yet to be fully assessed.

Itineray for the meeting with Mayor Keller and staff

Mayor Keller stated he would be traveling to Washington D.C. the following day and would have the opportunity to meet with leaders from US Department of Transportation and US Housing and Urban Development. The mayor also specifically asked about Justice40 funding, and we were able to speak to that opportunity, while also highlighting current and future federal funding opportunities for Albuquerque.

12:00 PM – By the time we finished our meeting with the mayor, department directors, and other staff, it was time for lunch. The venue of choice was another establishment in the Pueblo development called 12th Street Tavern. It was great to see all the new development, restaurants, hotels, and businesses, newly built by the 19 Pueblos. It showed as a Nation, they are very forward thinking and progressive in their mindset for what they can do for their people.

The team taking a break and having lunch at a Pueblo owned and operated establishment

Michael Canfield, CEO of IPCC, showing the location of a new 19 Pueblos Nation120, 000 sf commercial development

1:30 PM – Lunch was followed up by a trip to Site #2, the Skyview district, in the neighborhood where Michelle Melendez grew up. It was a noticeable different in Site #1 v Site #2. The former being adjacent to newly built commercial, hospitality developments that are designed and funded with market rate clients in mind.

Market rate commercial development near the Sawmill, adjacent to Site #1

Site #1 being shown by Michelle and Nichole explaining some of the surrounding multi-family housing

Site #2 with storage containers parked temporarily to hold supplies for the new public safety facility

A closed fire station and other existing commercial buildings that surround Site #2

One of the most interesting things we learned about Site #2 is that the city is going to build a social services public safety center there. It would make a perfect scenario to have them as an anchor as part of a larger development that includes, residential, retail, and recreational amenities, with unit price points that are in line with the existing AMI.