ABQ: Bosque Wetlands, Fall

ALBUQUERQUE

Bosque Wetlands Restoration Project

Fall 2006

View the photo journal.


The photo was taken in 2006 of the Bosque wetlands in Downtown Albuquerque. This is early in the restoration project, as not much vegetation has grown up yet around the ponds. It was still easy to walk around the perimeter of the ponds on paths.

Now the south end of the ponds has returned to marsh. I suspect it's an excellent spot for watching birds. The cranes will likely come in November. Black boxes are attached on the telephone poles in the pictures at the photo journal. They are "bat houses," like bird houses, but with slats instead of round holes.

ABQ: Postcard Copper Ave Homes

ALBUQUERQUE

Postcard: Copper Avenue Homes 1940


This postcard is Copper Avenue in Downtown Albuquerque. The house in the foreground is now used by MRCOG, the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

I can't read the postcard clearly, but it may say that the homes were located in the Roundhouse District. I have never heard this reference to a Downtown Albuquerque neighborhood. Usually when people talk about the Roundhouse, they are referring to state government in Santa Fe.

The Wheels Museum has records about the Albuquerque Roundhouse that was used to service trains at the Rail Yards in Barelas.


AT&SF Albuquerque, NM Roundhouse

According to the Wheels Museum:

"The 32-stall Albuquerque roundhouse was built in 1914-15. It included four "long" stalls on the east side that could accommodate Mallets and other large engines. The turntable was an 85-foot through plate girder table that was extended to 120 feet.

MRCOG:

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is a multi-county governmental agency that is helping our region plan responsibly for the future, in light of anticipated growth in New Mexico's mid-region.  Representing the counties of Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, and Sandoval, we provide planning services in the areas of transportation, agriculture, workforce development, employment growth, land-use, water, and economic development. We also manage the popular commuter rail service: the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. Our regional water planning effort addresses a fundamental concern of local governments: how will we meet future water needs? Likewise, the Agriculture Collaborative focuses on another scarce resource: local farmland, which as a result of urban encroachment, is dwindling.

ABQ: Fall in Bosque

ALBUQUERQUE

Fall in the Bosque

View the photo journal.


Photo of the Bosque Wetlands Restoration Project.


October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again. 
Hal Borland 

ABQ: Conservatories

ALBUQUERQUE

Conservatories

View the photo journal of conservatories in Albuquerque, the Bonsai Museum at the Steinhardt Conservatory in Brooklyn, and the orchids at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago.


The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, located in Greater Downtown on Central Ave. (Route 66) and the Rio Grande, features one and half miles of paths through a variety of gardens on 36 acres and two conservatories.


Mediterranean Conservatory

The Mediterranean Conservatory shows off a variety of plants native to coastal areas with hot dry summers and mild rainy winters, such as the Mediterranean Sea coast, the California coast, southwestern Australia, South Africa and coastal Chile.

This conservatory is also the locale for several flower shows, including Bulbs in Bloom and the Orchid Show.

Desert Conservatory

Its hot, dry climate supports a collection of plant life from deserts of the American Southwest.

Saguaro cactus and palo verde trees from the Sonoran Desert, creosote and yucca from the Chihuahuan Desert and elephant trees from Baja are just some of the incredible xeric-adapted plants on display.

ABQ: 2nd Tallest Building

ALBUQUERQUE

Hyatt Regency

View the drawings.


The second tallest building in New Mexico, and the tallest hotel, is the Downtown Hyatt Regency.


Wikipedia:

The Albuquerque Plaza complex was designed by Hellmuth, Obata, & Kassabaum and built in 1990.

The hotel offers a Southwestern decor with a mountain or city view. Amenities include a heated rooftop pool, hot tubs, 24-hour attended gym. The 24,000 sq ft (2,200 m²) conference center contains four ballrooms, three boardrooms and 22 meeting rooms.


Emporis:

Technical Data

Height (tip)

256.00 ft

Height (architectural)

256.00 ft

Height (roof)

256.00 ft

Floors (above ground)

21

Construction end

1990

SECRET ABQ: Courtyard

SECRET ALBUQUERQUE

Courtyard

Courtyard tucked away in Downtown Albuquerque. The back portion of the building looks older, with a newer addition in front by the street.

This courtyard is open to the public--if you know where to look.

ROUTE 66: Former Hotel Franciscan

ROUTE 66

Former Hotel Franciscan

Pictured is the Hotel Franciscan on Route 66 (Central Ave.) in Downtown Albuquerque. Beside it, on the left side of the picture with white columns, was the Masonic Temple. Both were torn down and the empty land continues to be used for parking lots.


1941 postcard of the hotel said:

This structure, typical of the architecture brought to the Southwest by the early settlers, is regarded as the most unusual building of its type anywhere in the world. It was built by the Community Spirit of Albuquerque. The Hotel contains 175 guest rooms. In lobby, magnificently decorated, is the most artistic interior in this section of the country. The Hotel is especially adapted to the entertainment of Clubs, Conventions and large social gatherings. Every attention is paid to the comfort of cross country tourists, whose prolonged stay is desirable to all Albuquerque.


Wikipedia about Pueblo Revival:

The Pueblo Revival style is a regional architectural style of the Southwestern United States which draws its inspiration from thePueblos and the Spanish missions in New Mexico. The style developed at the turn of the 20th century and reached its greatest popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, though it is still commonly used for new buildings. Pueblo style architecture is most prevalent in the state of New Mexico.

Pueblo style architecture seeks to imitate the appearance of traditional adobe construction, though more modern materials such asbrick or concrete are often substituted. If adobe is not used, rounded corners, irregular parapets, and thick, battered walls are used to simulate it. Walls are usually stuccoed and painted in earth tones. Multistory buildings usually employ stepped massing similar to that seen at Taos Pueblo. Roofs are always flat. A common feature is the use of projecting wooden roof beams (vigas), which often serve no structural purpose.


Emporis:

Technical Data

Height (architectural)

96.00 ft

Height (roof)

96.00 ft

Height (main roof)

82.00 ft

Floors (above ground)

7

Construction end

1923

Demolition end

1972

Elevators

2

Involved Companies

Architect:

• Trost & Trost