When I left Albuquerque in the autumn of '86 it was a small quiet dusty southwestern city of about 375,000. Not much was done to improve the look of the city and I just sort of saw it as a dust pit. Alot has happened since then. City councils and mayors, especially the current Mayor, Martin Chavez have made concerned efforts to improve the quality of life in the city making it a jewel in the desert. The metro area is now about 750,000.
The area I grew up in was one of the last major neighborhoods at the south end of the city. Gibson Boulevard being the last major street. Then the airport then the open desert. In fact the asphalt for our street ended at our house. It was a dirt road after that. It was always quiet and deathly still at night, the only sound being that of the trains which you could hear from down in the valley. I remember as a kid, during the hot air balloon fiesta, watching the balloons land literally across the street in the open fields. They had to land there as they were not allowed in airport/air force air space. Quite a treat.
That is all about to change. Since the 80s business parks and hotels have sprung up all over the area and now comes Mesa Del Sol. The city's huge master plan suburb on the other side of the airpot. 13,000 acres, 18 million square feet of office and industrial space, 23,000 new jobs, 37,000 homes for 100,000 residents and 5,400 acres for parks and open space. Whew.
And its well underway to becoming a reality. Already established there is the Journal Pavillion, one of the largest venues for live performances in the city.. Eclipse Aviation has its operations there. Albuquerque Studios has already built several humongous soundstages and Sony Pictures is scheduled to move their digital effects operations here shortly.
I took a drive through the area recently. It is all pretty empty rolling desert hills; however, the main boulevards are already in place. Development is well underway. Progress moves forward. From dusty desert town to progressive metropolis.
One of the cool things I did see among the currently empty dunes, were these HUUUGE rock sculptures on a median.
The area I grew up in was one of the last major neighborhoods at the south end of the city. Gibson Boulevard being the last major street. Then the airport then the open desert. In fact the asphalt for our street ended at our house. It was a dirt road after that. It was always quiet and deathly still at night, the only sound being that of the trains which you could hear from down in the valley. I remember as a kid, during the hot air balloon fiesta, watching the balloons land literally across the street in the open fields. They had to land there as they were not allowed in airport/air force air space. Quite a treat.
That is all about to change. Since the 80s business parks and hotels have sprung up all over the area and now comes Mesa Del Sol. The city's huge master plan suburb on the other side of the airpot. 13,000 acres, 18 million square feet of office and industrial space, 23,000 new jobs, 37,000 homes for 100,000 residents and 5,400 acres for parks and open space. Whew.
And its well underway to becoming a reality. Already established there is the Journal Pavillion, one of the largest venues for live performances in the city.. Eclipse Aviation has its operations there. Albuquerque Studios has already built several humongous soundstages and Sony Pictures is scheduled to move their digital effects operations here shortly.
I took a drive through the area recently. It is all pretty empty rolling desert hills; however, the main boulevards are already in place. Development is well underway. Progress moves forward. From dusty desert town to progressive metropolis.
One of the cool things I did see among the currently empty dunes, were these HUUUGE rock sculptures on a median.
Last fall I was sitting on the couch watching tv. It was a mild day, quiet and peaceful. i looked up to see somethig move at the screen door. It was a 'roadrunner'. He just stared at me, moving his head back and fourth. Then he ran off. Maybe he knew what was coming.
4 comments:
Maybe the roadrunner was looking for the Coyote...
Wyle E. Coyote that is...NOT the smuggling coyote...Como estas Mick?
Hola Miguel...what's going on back in my adopted home town? We still on for a cerveza at Mal's, heffe? You owe me a couple'of'em buddy.
Mal's has gone to the dogs or thugs? I was there a few times but the atmosphere not for me. Too many thugish people there...But sure we'll still grab a few brews if and when you come out here...I still gotta get the KOL latest...
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