How to Transform Civic Plaza

Bryant Park, NYC

November 2013

 

In the center of Downtown Albuquerque is the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza. It was constructed as a part of urban renewal to host outdoor events, with a capacity of 20,000 people and a large performance stage. For much of the Plaza’s history, however, it has been an empty and barren concrete wasteland devoid of people. Few venture to the Plaza, unless they happen to work in a next door office or are homeless sleeping on a bench.

Sadly, the city is spending millions of dollars to renovate the Convention Center on the east side of the Plaza, while ignoring the largest public space in the center of Downtown. Civic Plaza could be changed into an enjoyable public gathering spot for tourists, convention goers, office workers and the expanding residential population alike.

On a recent trip to New York City I visited Bryant Park in Manhattan. Despite the terrible November weather—a dark and steady rain with winter temperatures barely above freezing—the park was full of people enjoying the activities.

 

Bryant Park used to be worse than Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza. In the 1970s and 80s it was notorious for muggings and drug deals. The blight caused prime Manhattan property values to drop and become less desirable. Finally a non-profit corporation was formed to better manage the space.

 

 

 

 

 

The park has been transformed with a series of pop-ups, which change throughout the year. I visited the Winter Village. The centerpiece is a 170’ x 100’ ice skating rink, complete with heated tents for warming up, renting skates, and lockers. Overlooking the rink is Celsius, a pop-up restaurant with glass-enclosed lounges and a heated terrace.

 

 

 

During the winter holiday shopping season more than 125 temporary booths are erected to sell local food and goods. The glass stalls are reminiscent of the Crystal Palace, which stood in the park in the mid-1800s.

 

 

 

Other regular amenities include a carousel, games such as Petanque, chess and Ping Pong, and the revival of the public Reading Room, first popular during the Great Depression in the 1930s. Publishers donate periodicals, books and newspapers, which are available free without having to show an identification card.

 

 

In the summer visitors enjoy a public porch, complete with shade, outlets for recharging electronic devices and rockers, swings, and Adirondack chairs. Nearby is a putting green and Kubb, a Scandinavian game similar to lawn bowling. Gardens are planted throughout the park. 
 

It would only take a few of the ideas used in Bryant Park to transform Civic Plaza into a friendly public space which would attract people to Downtown.

 

 

 

Drawing: Santa Fe Window

Santa Fe

I attended the 2013 Tony Hillerman Writers Conference by WORDHARVEST in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

With beautiful sunny weather I was able to take some photo illustrations on break of the shop windows on the main plaza.

View the collection at Pinterest.

New Fountain Pen

My Pen

I used the same silver Cross fountain pen for more than a decade. For weeks now it has been lost. I suspect someone picked it up not realizing it was a fountain pen. Disposable ink pens are common property.

I'm old school. I hand write almost anything longer than a couple paragraphs on white paper. I am forever changing or adding notebooks and have the bad habit of losing track of what I've written where. Regardless, typing at a keyboard doesn't replace my ability to organize my thoughts with the flow of ink onto paper.

I stopped by the Pen & Pad store Downtown. After describing my desire for a thin barrel pen with a cartridge which can refilled from a bottle, rather than disposable cartridges, the clerk said she would have choices from their main store the following week. When I returned, she had just one--a black Cross pen. I generally think of myself as more of a silver then gold type, but decided to give it a try.

I considered getting a gold nib, which would double the price. She explained the nibs have improved greatly in the past decade and I might be happy without 18K gold. I can always upgrade later. She was right. I didn't need a dozen choices. I wanted simply the right pen for me.

I am slowly learning to take the advice of others who seem trustworthy to see where the path takes me.

ABQ: Winter Garden

ALBUQUERQUE

Sasebo Japanese Garden at the BioPark


City of ABQ:

Built in honor of Sasebo, one of Albuquerque's Sister Cities, the four-acre Sasebo Japanese Garden hosts a majestic waterfall, an elegant koi pond and a mixture of Japanese and local plants. Stone lanterns and pagoda sculptures dot the grounds and stone and wooden bridges straddle small streams.
Upon entering the garden, you'll walk past the large bell tower, through huge wooden gates, and along immaculately manicured paths. You'll be surrounded by traditional Japanese plants, along with native New Mexican trees pruned and sculpted in the Japanese aesthetic.

Noted landscape architect Toru Tanaka, founder of Portland Landscape Design and Japanese Garden Speciality, designed Albuquerque's garden which opened in September, 2007.
Just inside the gates and to the right, visitors will find the Japanese Garden's newest feature, a 'garden-within-a-garden' designed by five members of the Ogata Kai organization of Japanese landscape architects. The five architects, trained under the late Kenzo Ogata, created this beautiful garden in just four days (September 14-17, 2009).

Sasebo Garden is included with general admission to the Botanic Garden.
Docent-led Garden Tours are offered on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

ABQ: Holiday Windows

ALBUQUERQUE

Holiday Windows


Getting ready for Christmas. Decorations in the Peoples Flower Shop windows on Central Ave. (Route 66) in Downtown ABQ.

In the background on the right is the KIMO theater sign.

ABQ: Bird Blinds

ALBUQUERQUE

Bird Blinds

This photo shows one of two bird blinds under construction at the Wetlands Restoration Project at the Tingley Ponds, between Tingley Beach and the Rio Grande.


From Wikipedia:

A bird hide (or hide, also known as a blind or bird blind in North America) is a shelter, often camouflaged, that is used to observe wildlife, especially birds, at close quarters. Although hides were once built chiefly as hunting aids, they are now commonly found in parks and wetlands for the use of bird watchers, ornithologists and other observers who do not want to disturb wildlife as it is being observed.

A typical bird hide resembles a garden shed, with small openings, shutters, or windows built into at least one side to enable observation.
Variant types of bird hide include:

• the tower hide, which has multiple storeys and allows observations over large areas
• the bird blind, which is a screen similar to one wall of a typical hide, with or without a roof for shelter
• the machan, a covered platform erected to observe birds and wildlife in high trees or on cliffs, particularly in India where it was originally used by tiger-hunters.

SECRET ABQ: Veterans Memorial

ALBUQUERQUE

Veterans Memorial at Alvarado Square


On the grounds of Alvarado Square in Downtown is a memorial to people who have served in the military. While the monument is open to the public, it's not visible from the street. The memorial is accessed by walking into the courtyard behind PNM's large fountain at the sidewalk.

This is my favorite memorial in Albuquerque. It's public while still creating a sense of quiet and seclusion within the middle of the city. There is a globe with plaques below to commemorate each branch of the service. A few feet away is a tall wall, covered in ivy, with a bench. It provides a serene space to sit in silence to view the memorial. People seem to treat it reverently as I have never seen anyone sitting on the bench to eat lunch or talk on a cell phone.

The complex is for sale. I haven't seen any discussion of who actually owns the memorial and whether it will move when PNM leaves the building.


Alvarado Square:


Notes NM Business Weekly:

PNM, the building's current occupants, are vacating and the square is for sale.

The building is unique in Albuquerque as it spans Silver Avenue and might be the only building Downtown that has an airspace agreement with the city. PNM kept it in immaculate condition, but a new owner most likely will have to invest in new finishes and other cosmetic upgrades. The building has eight floors and all its mechanical systems are operational.

Emporis:

Technical Data

Height (architectural)

184.00 ft

Height (roof)

184.00 ft

Floors (above ground)

12

Construction end

1974

ABQ: Grocery ReOpening

ALBUQUERQUE

View drawings.

Food and Fun at your new Downtown ABQ Grocery Store

Lowe's Corner Market invites you to attend the grand re-opening and dedication of their beautifully rehabilitated store on the corner of 11th and Lomas Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM. A special fund-raiser for the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd, providing direct services to downtown Albuquerque's homeless population.



Sunday November 18th · 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Please join us for hors d'oeuvres and samplings of both food and beverage offerings including a tour of the new store. Admission is free to all.

Dedication and Ribbon Cutting: 2:00 PM
Meet and Greet: 2:15 PM
Deluxe Sampling: 2:15 -  4:00 PM
Music by Chava and Paid My Dues Rhythms and Blues

Come see the newest Urbanist gem in greater Downtown Albuquerque

Event by: Urban at ABQ: Advocacy for Positive Urban Change

Please RSVPOnline  

This event will also be a fundraiser to benefit
Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd
Direct Services Agency for the Homeless

Suggested donation: $20.

Services Provided by Good Shepherd:

• Daily communal meal for men, women and children
• Temporary overnight accommodations for men
• Men’s clothing distributed on weekday mornings
• Seven month residential drug and alcohol abuse recovery program for men without income.
• Clients are referred to other area service agencies for a continuum of care. 18 Iron SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

 

Please RSVPOnline

INFO:

Living and working in Downtown Albuquerque just got a whole lot better. A new and improved place to shop for groceries is a welcome addition!

For years people have wanted a more modern grocery store that reflected current needs of the neighborhood. For years it was little more than a complaint, something for someone else to tackle. Then some new neighbors moved in and made some phone calls. Come...

see what happens when a little neighborhood idea meets a responsive business partner.

Lowe’s, the Asher Family, Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd, Urban@ABQ and the Downtown Neighborhoods Association are pleased to announce the Grand Reopening of Lowe’s Corner Market.

The dedication and ribbon cutting celebration will take place on Sunday November 18, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Lowe’s Corner Market is located at the corner of 11th and Lomas NW.

Everyone is welcome at this open house event to meet and greet the people involved, including representatives from city, county, state and federal government.

The Lowe family have been grocers since the 1940’s and strive to give their customers the freshest meats, fruits, and veggies, fantastic promotions, and a fast and friendly checkout, while creating an atmosphere of fun.

This rehabilitation project includes many energy efficient improvements to the building and parking lot. The layout of the aisles maximized the space so more food choices are being offered, including organic, glutten-free and ready to eat options. A full liquor department offers a nice variety of wines and micro brews.

 

ABQ: 4th St Ped Mall

ALBUQUERQUE

Fourth Street Pedestrian Mall

Downtown's pedestrian mall was created by closing and bricking over part of 4th Street, which was the original alignment, north and south, of Route 66 running through Albuquerque. By the time the outdoor mall was created Route 66 has been changed to run east and west on what is now Central Ave.

The pedestrian mall hasn't been very successful and the city is considering tearing it apart and reopening the street to road traffic. While some pedestrian malls, such as Denver, have been successful in lining the space with retail shops, restaurants and outdoor vendors, ABQ has not. Only a couple tables are set up regularly for street retailing and the space mostly collects homeless people.

The Hyatt wasn't built yet when the pedestrian mall was created. While the hotel restaurant has some closed-off outdoor seating, pictured above, their building was designed as a fortress against the street and public gathering was expected to take place in the central atrium indoors. In fairness to the hotel, Downtown ABQ was rather rough when the project was built.

Most of the street scape is rather barren, except for the patio seating on the south end of the mall by Central Ave. The best features of the mall are the shade trees that run down the center, which along with the tall buildings, provide welcome shade in the summer.



Pedestrian Malls:

Notes The Atlantic--American urban history is dotted with failed (and occasionally infamous) pedestrian malls. But there are success stories too, which offer lessons in designing walkable, mixed-use districts.

The world's first planned pedestrian mall was built in 1953 in Rotterdam. Six years later, Kalamazoo, Michigan, became the first American city adopt the concept. Austrian-born architect Victor Gruen (most famous for his American shopping malls) envisioned a project that would resemble Vienna's Ringstrasse. Instead, a much scaled-down concept was built in 1959.

The Kalamazoo Mall did well at first, with a fourth block added in the 1970s. But by the 1990s, it had become a sore spot for many residents. The "mall" had less parking, less weather protection, and more vagrants that the traditional shopping center. When the city decided to reopen part of the street in 1998, citizens excitedly competed, via raffle, to drive the first car down the mall.

Others have been more successful. Some of the best pedestrian malls in America are located in college towns like Charlottesville, Ithaca, Iowa City, and Madison.

ABQ: Postcard Night

ALBUQUERQUE

Postcard of Downtown at night.

Route 66, which is now Central Ave.

Date: 1970.

The tallest building on the left, behind the ABC sign, is now the Banque Lofts. It is, of course, a former bank building.

The intersection at the Walgreens and Woolworth's is now the Fourth Street Pedestrian Mall.

ABQ: Day of the Dead

ALBUQUERQUE

Day of the Dead

Artists create a chalk drawing on the sidewalk in front of the Hyatt Regency in Downtown ABQ to celebrate Day of the Dead.

ABQ: SEFT 1

ALBUQUERQUE

SEFT 1

In the late 1990s Mexico privatized its national rail system. The system was reorganized to allow private companies to set up freight shipping connecting with the United States and Canada under NAFTA. It's too early to know whether the new arrangement is working well for rail shipments. The northern part of the country has had better success, while the hurricane damaged south is lagging behind.

However, the greatest impact of the privatization has been to end rail passenger service for most of the country. In 1997, except for some small tourist lines, such as viewing Copper Canyon, service for people ended. In 2008 a commuter rail was established running into Mexico City. But the rest of the country remains without.

Two artists decided to travel the abandoned railways to document the new ruins, isolated towns and villages, and collect artifacts. A pickup truck was created that could travel on roads or railroad tracks.

Information about the project is downloaded to their website SEFT 1.

They drove the SEFT 1 vehicle recently across the border to where it is currently on display at the Albuquerque museum. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) also participated in the museum project.



From UTEP:

The SEFT -1 (SEFT is an acronym for the Spanish Sonda de Exploración Ferroviaria Tripulada or Manned Railway Exploration Probe) is a trans-disciplinary project by artists Ivan Puig and Andrés Padilla Domene. Its core object is a futuristic, artist-designed vehicle that is equipped to move on both land and rail. Puig and Padilla Domene traveled abandoned railways throughout Mexico in this exploratory probe, using photography, video, audio and text to record contemporary landscapes, infrastructure and inhabitants to create a futuristic exploration of Mexico’s past. The information recorded is continuously uploaded to the project´s web page www.seft1.com, where the public can follow the trajectory of the probe and view the images, videos and artifacts collected on its journey.

The exhibition of the SEFT-1 at UTEP will encompass two museums, the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts and UTEP’s Centennial Museum. ForISEA2012 (see below), Puig and Padilla Domene will make a historic journey in the SEFT-1 that takes them from the U.S.-Mexico border to the city of Albuquerque where the car itself will be exhibited at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, with a complementary exhibition at 516 Gallery in downtown Albuquerque.

The exhibition of SEFT-1 at UTEP is in conjunction with the Desert Initiative (DI) and with the annual meeting of International for Society for Electronic Arts (ISEA).

 

DI is a consortium of art museums in the Southwest that are coordinating new, interdisciplinary explorations of the desert to take place in the Fall2012-Spring 2013. The partnering museums include Phoenix Art Museum, University of Arizona Museum of Art, Santa Fe Art Institute, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Arizona State University Art Museum, which is the administrative and coordinating hub of the DI, amongst many others. ISEA is an international nonprofit organization fostering interdisciplinary academic discourse and exchange among culturally diverse organizations and individuals working with art, science and technology, and draws scores of emerging and established international artists to its annual conference. In 2011 it was held in Istanbul and in 2010 near Berlin. In 2012 University of New Mexico in Albuquerque will host the conference from September 17-22. UTEP is the only venue in Texas invited to participate in either of these initiatives, both of which will generate additional opportunities to expand our audience, and to connect with both the border and the world.

ABQ: SnapSpace

ALBUQUERQUE

SnapSpace

Photo journal of the SnapSpace landscape.

On the edge of the Raynolds Addition and Barelas neighborhoods near the zoo in Downtown, local developers Sean Gilligan and Marilyn Keller are trying a new concept in Albuquerque home building--"stick-built" modular homes that can be moved to other locations throughout the state.

The concept embraces both green building and simplified compact living. They have a model home on Iron that is less than 900 SF. Which means that more time and attention is spent on outdoor living. The photo journal at the top of the page shows their attention to the details of creating an urban sanctuary landscape, which includes 3 separate outdoor decks, fire pits and BBQ, a pond and a garden.

The enclosed yard is reminiscent of the Medieval concept of a Hortus Conclusus, literally a walled garden that served as a contemplative outdoor room within the larger garden.


Explains Landscape Design + More--Hortus Conclusus is the archetype of an enclosed garden.  A walled garden, one with a fenced enclosure, became synonymous with the term “garden” in medieval times.  Its nomenclature, “hortus conclusus,” is believed to originate from King Solomon’s “Song of Songs” 4:12 "Hortus conclusus soror mea, sponsa, hortus conclusus, fons signatus" ("A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up.")

The enclosed garden was a common setting for images of the Virgin Mary in medieval artwork.

In secular terms the garden became a symbol of earthly love, typified by Guillaume de Llorris 13^th century poem the Roman de la Rose, an allegory of man and an enclosed garden. In this walled garden, the interior represents romance, while the exterior is emblematic of everyday life.

Artificial nature is the basis for the hortus conclusus - shutting the space off from the outside world, creating an image of an inner paradise. One could begin to suggest that this archetype has been translated into present day public pocket parks in urban centers. A more private example would be the jewel box size gardens behind brownstone buildings - is an oasis, a refuge of peace and tranquility among the chaos within the urban infrastructure.




Information about SnapSpace:


SG Properties is the sales representatives for SnapSpace NM, LLC.  We build movable, modular, green homes for delivery throughout the state.  These homes are "stick built" at our factory yard in Albuquerque and moved to your lot.  

Models:  We currently have one model for sale.  We have schematic designs for a number of other models and are in the process of completing the working drawings and pricing them.  The current model can be seen at 1104 Iron SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

 

Process:  Our homes are built in our factory yard and then shipped to your lot.   Customers either pay for their unit with cash or with financing.  Once the home is finished it is shipped to your lot for installation on your foundation.

 

Find Out More About SnapSpace:  Please call or email us if you have questions, want additional information, or would like to schedule a tour of our model.  Be prepared to be impressed.  
 

Sean Gilligan

SG Properties. Qualifying Broker

Phone  505.440.5814

Fax  866.630.6946

Email  sean@sgproperties.biz

 

ABQ: PARK(ing) Day 2012

 

ALBUQUERQUE

PARK(ing) Day 2012

See the photo journal.

ABOUT PARK(ING) DAY

Providing temporary public open space . . . one parking spot at at time.

PARK(ing) Day is a annual open-source global event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public places. The project began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco. Since 2005, PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals (operating independently of Rebar but following an established set of guidelines) creating new forms of temporary public space in urban contexts around the world.

ROUTE 66: Kress Sign

ROUTE 66

Kress Sign

The Kress sign remains on Route 66 (Central Ave) in Albuquerque, along with curved plate glass windows and interesting architectural details, on an empty storefront in Downtown.

Kress department stores were a chain of Five and Dimes, similar to Woolworth's. They were in business from 1896 to 1981 and a precursor to modern day Kmart, Target and Wal-Mart. In the first half of the twentieth century Kress stores could be found on the mainstreets of hundred of cities and towns across America.

Samuel Henry Kress, founder of S. H. Kress & Co., used his fortune to amass the most significant collections of Italian Renaissance and European artwork assembled in the twentieth century. Works were eventually donated to 18 regional museums around the U. S.

Kress stores are noted for their architecture. Kress considered his buildings to be works of public art that would contribute to the cityscape. The Albuquerque store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Due to its ongoing vacancy, it remains in nearly original condition.

Notes the Historic Register nomination form, filled out in the early 1980's:

The Kress Building in Downtown Albuquerque is an unaltered 1925 Kress store displaying a standard storefront design developed by the S. H. Kress Company in the 1920's. It is the only such storefront in New Mexico and as such is of both local and state significance. It is possibly nationally significant as a virtually unchanged example of a major chain store's early attempt to achieve quick public recognition through the use of standardized design. In Albuquerque it is an extremely rare unremodeled pre-depression retail building.
 

STYLE: Window Displays

STYLE

Window Displays

View the Photo Journal of Downtown Albuquerque window displays September 2012.
.........

The Bon Marche department store in Paris, 1877, is one of the earliest examples of large scale window decorating. The store was transformed through structural architectural changes that allowed for wide open spaces, lots of light, and huge windows. Previously, glass had been limited to smaller openings and much smaller panes. The invention of big picture windows lead directly to the new art of window display.

In her book Retailing: Critical Concepts author Anne Findlay remarks that the large retail display windows "communicate festivity, vitality, beauty, and fantasy, revealing the signature of individual stores and the inner possibilities of store life."

Sadly, outside of the largest cities, window dressing has become mostly a lost art. In our modern era of chain stores, most companies rely on display photos hung like posters in a window, along with a few mannequins. Or some similar simple design that was fashioned at corporate headquarters to be uniform among dozens, if not hundreds, of locations across the country. They are assembled by low wage retail workers hired to staff the sales floor, not by designers or merchandisers trained in the visual arts.

Instead of reflecting local color, most department store window displays are stiff and corporate--at best.

Some exceptions still exist. Macy's, at their flagship Herald Square store in mid-Manhattan, is most famous for their holiday display window which are unveiled in time for Thanksgiving and their parade in NYC. One set of windows usually features themes related to the movie Miracle on 34th Street, about Macy's and their now defunct rival Gimbels. A new theme is introduced each year in a second set of display windows. Department stores in the largest cities are still more likely to employ a window designer than the smaller locations around the country.

Another notable exception is Anthropologie. When I travel, I always enjoy seeing the variety at each store. Not two locations ever seem to look the same. According to Design Sponge, each anthro store has its own small team of artists who do all of the displays at their own location. Teams may include graphic designers, painters and sculptors. Rare is a chain store that gives so much attention, and resources, to each location.

There are still devotees of window decorating. The Window Display Blog is run by Kaisa, a visual merchandiser who is, in her own words, obsessed with store windows. She photographs and writes about displays in London.

However, walk around a smaller city like Albuquerque's Downtown and it's unfortunately difficult to find many decent displays of any type, regardless of chain or otherwise. The lack of properly decorated display windows gives the area an unfriendly vibe. Those few stores who are making an effort should be commended.

Many cities have addressed this issue with Phantom Galleries--displays of local artists in pop-up galleries to deal with vacant and undecorated windows, particularly in downtowns, to replace the loss of mainstreet retailers. This not only gives artists a venue to display their work, it also enhances the public space and provides interest.

STYLE: Jewelry

STYLE

Jewelry

A fun way to spice up outfits is to add jewelry. I'm a devotee of cheap jewelry to create instant trendy looks. A trip to the beach is made happier with a pair of large, dangle earrings.

In the winter sparkly pieces add cheer and light. Likewise, bird and plant-themed jewelry can welcome spring. In the fall bold, minimalist pieces can compliment a sparse, pared down look.

The proverbial little black dress can cover a range of functions--depending on the accessories. A classic blazer and strand of pearls can create a sophisticated business look, while the same dress with high boots and neon jewelry can be totally funky.

When someone dies, what heirlooms does the family argue over? Artwork and jewelry. Solid classic jewelry can last well beyond a lifetime.

If jewelry is valuable enough, like a diamond wedding ring, make sure it's covered by insurance. While a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy might cover burglaries (check for sure), what happens if the ring slips off the deck of a ship while on a cruise?

Photo and keep documentation of any high-priced jewelry. Make sure that documentation is stored either backed up electronically outside of the house or in a safety deposit box. You won't be compensated by your insurance in the event of loss if you can't prove that you owned the pieces. If valuable enough, jewelry should be professionally appraised periodically. A 20 year old sales slip, if it even still exists, might not prove the increased value over time.

Another reason to appraise is to determine the true quality of gem stones. Stories abound of stones being removed and replaced by lesser quality gems during cleanings. I'm not sure how often it really happens. But it's better to know what you actually own. Once again, it also proves the quality of the gem in case of loss. It's difficult to determine a gem stone value from just a picture.

Don't forget to clean quality jewelry once in awhile. A trick to keeping silver looking good is to buff it with car wax polish. Be careful to keep all cleaners away from stones, including amber.

Most importantly, have fun. Jewelry is a great way to change the mood of an outfit. There are wonderful pieces being hand-made by artisans around the country. While an original painting or a hand tailored suit might be out of your price range, an original piece of jewelry can be quite affordable. And you'll be able to wear it for many years to come.

ABQ PLAZAS: First Plaza

ALBUQUERQUE PLAZAS

First Plaza

Link to photo journal.

Some buildings look much smaller than their actual size, particularly when they are built horizontal, instead of straight up into the sky. The First Plaza in Downtown Albuquerque is an example. Over 300,000 square feet, yet it is a rather unassuming building complex. It is classified as a low rise set of buildings-- only six floors above ground, and another story below. It measures less than 90 feet above ground, making it short even by southwestern standards.

 Constructed mid-century, the buildings lack much ornament or detail. However, the public spaces around the buildings are some of the best in Albuquerque.  Rare is the mid-century downtown office complex that strives to make people feel welcome. That invites the public to just hang out around the buildings.

First Plaza’s central outdoor plaza faces east toward Second Street. Unlike Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza, First Plaza uses several techniques to make the expanse more inviting.

Walking from the Andaluz Hotel and entering from the SE corner, planters with trees greet pedestrians, mimicking walking into a partial woods, creating a sense of safety instead of exposure. The planters are short enough and spaced far enough apart that people don’t have to worry about someone hiding behind one either. Which is always an issue in an urban area.

 Tables with chairs are spread out around the entire complex. In the summer umbrellas bring welcome shade. Strong winds and harsh sun aren’t a problem. More seating is provided along grassy areas in the center. People are more welcomed at First Plaza than in many of the so-called public areas of Downtown.

 In the middle of the central outdoor plaza is an oasis, surrounded by grass and trees. The center is a fountain which is crossed by a sidewalk bridge. From a distance the fountain resembles a typical office complex affair with three column structures on one side and jets of water spraying up into the air on the other. Such fountains can be found in office complexes around the world.

 What makes First Plaza unique is that when the fountain is reached up close, it more closely resembles a Japanese garden and bridge, rather than a sterile monument. It becomes a tiny place of refuge in the city.

The main entrance to the complex lacks grandeur. A modest atrium spills out in the central outdoor plaza. Still, it invites people to enter. It’s built on a scale comfortable to humans, even if the actual entrance doors are not clearly marked and take a minute to find.

 Many Downtown buildings in Albuquerque have showpiece atriums that rise two or three stories high at the entrance. Instead, First Plaza’s atrium is small and expands downward to the underground level. This is a fun walk under the city, particularly during New Mexico’s hot summers.

 Exiting back out of the Galleria mall to the street on the NW corner by Third, and across from Civic Plaza, more small plazas can be found around the perimeter of the buildings. While the architecture can most graciously be called minimal at street level, an effort was made to make pedestrians comfortable with the covered porticoes and tables for seating.

 While First Plaza is not glamorous, cutting edge, or even particularly architecturally noteworthy, the plazas surrounding the building are definitely worth a visit.

ABQ: Cities as a Center

ALBUQUERQUE

Cities as a Center

In the past century Downtowns have gotten a bad rap. In many mid-sized and smaller cities around the country, like Albuquerque, the central core became a dumping ground of abandoned buildings and a concentration of social services and the court system. Downtown was left to the undesirables.

Despite all the gains produced by the internet, there still is no substitution for innovation among people in face to face contact with each other. The most vibrant atmospheres are created when people exchange ideas. People need to talk with each other. This is still best accomplished in cities.

Top American cities have strong and diverse economies, a diverse set of economic anchors, world connectivity, and status as a magnet for the best and brightest of all ages. Dense cities are the greenest places in the U. S.

Cities are export entities—they exist because they provide people a way to make money. Residents of the same place buying and selling things to each other will not produce a city. Cities are born from intercity transportation—a major airport, an interstate highway line, a train link, and a port. (Improving these links is the quickest way for a city to generate economic growth.)

Main Street is the economic engine, the big stage, the core of the community.

Why does this matter?

Because cities that embrace improving their central core aren't just improving a single neighborhood. Investment into better infrastructure, improved public spaces and multiple forms of public transportation is going to bring long-term benefits to the entire region.

An ideal Downtown is the central meeting space for the entire city. Residents from all walks of life feel comfortable in the space. Which, in turn, leads to increased information exchange, the true building block for economic improvements in the twenty-first century. Innovation is shared and new ideas are incubated. Real growth is created.