Downtown development, businesses making strides

I was well overdue for a hair cut this week, so I stopped into my regular Downtown barber shop.

It’s been my go-to spot for years. And while I’m in the chair, the conversation between my barber and I often gets back to businesses in Downtown, which is where I live.

It’s no secret Downtown Albuquerque has its challenges. The evidence is several closed storefronts and the many unhoused people clearly suffering from behavioral health issues who live there as well.

But my barber is always busy. When I was in his chair last week, every few minutes he took a call to book an appointment, for which available time slots were few and far between. (I would gladly name the barber shop but when I called back during the week to clarify some points, he politely said that he was too busy and didn’t have a minute to spare.)

When I asked during my cut how he’s managed to stay in business when others have struggled, he told me that some businesses Downtown shoot themselves in the foot.

He nodded over to a store that used to be a chicken wing place.

I interrupted him because I knew where he was going.

The chicken wing spot was rumored to have the best wings in town. But I haven’t tried them because — at least at one point — it was open Monday through Friday during pretty standard business hours.

I eat chicken wings when I’m drinking beer and watching sports on the weekends. Who eats chicken wings during a work lunch on a weekday?

Not so fast.

I learned that the restaurant, Wing it Up, is now located inside Bourbon and Boots at Third and Central. I checked its Instagram page and found that my barber was right. And Wing it Up is now open until midnight or 2 a.m. on most nights. And on Saturday and Sundays no less.

That could be a game changer for my smorgasbord during football games.

A simple story of Downtown businesses, I know. But another Downtown development that could breath new life into the core of the city also took a step forward last week. And it could be a significant improvement for the neighborhood.

The city of Albuquerque announced the start of construction on the Central Crossing Bridge, which will ultimately be an overpass at First Street and Central. The bridge will replace the existing undercrossing, which for years has had been a source of safety concerns.

And those concerns are significant because they can make it undesirable or flat-out scary to walk from East Downtown to the Downtown Core. That puts a wedge between some of the best bars in the city and fine restaurants like The Artichoke Cafe.

The Central Crossing Bridge will also be a major component of the Albuquerque Rail Trail, which will be a pedestrian and bicycle parkway that over the course of 7 miles will connect Downtown, Old Town, Sawmill, the Rail Yards and the bosque.

“This project is one of the many ways we are leveling up Downtown Albuquerque and investing in safety so folks feel welcome when walking Downtown,” Mayor Tim Keller said while announcing construction, which started with the demolition of the existing walkway.

It will be exciting to see how the bridge will change walkability Downtown and if it does as intended and brings more people to Downtown businesses.

If it does, I’m probably going to have to start booking my haircuts further in advance.