UNM, Mayor’s office sign memorandum aimed at bringing university presence to Downtown ABQ

City officials and the University of New Mexico are one step closer to bringing some of the institution’s operations Downtown.

The university and Mayor Tim Keller’s office last week signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding, or MOU, signaling the next step in bringing a larger university presence to the heart of the city.

The latest move follows Keller’s comments to a group of business leaders at an Economic Forum of Albuquerque meeting in Old Town last month, in which the second-term mayor offered to hand over land free of charge to anyone willing to contribute to the revitalization of Downtown Albuquerque. In that speech he specifically singled out UNM, citing a proven track record of universities helping to breathe new life into struggling city centers in other states.

“That piece of land — it’s yours,” Keller said to UNM in his speech, referencing a parking lot across from the Convention Center between Third and Fourth streets that the city has dubbed the “Civic Plaza lot.”

“The collaboration between UNM and the city of Albuquerque is a visionary step toward revitalizing our Downtown community, bringing academic excellence and innovative research directly to the heart of the city, and fostering a vibrant environment for all residents,” said David Campbell, executive director of UNM’s development arm, Lobo Development Corp.

UNM has access to up to three locations: the parking lot between Third and Fourth streets, as well as the First Plaza Galleria and the former Bernalillo County Courthouse on Tijeras NW.

“Great cities have great downtowns, and bringing elements of our flagship university to Downtown will contribute to Albuquerque’s standing as a great city,” Campbell said.

Talks of a potential Downtown presence pre-date the Keller administration, according to Samantha Sengel, chief administrative officer for the city. The conversation has become formal over the past four months, she said.

“UNM has got work to do and this MOU gives them the opportunity to (show) their faculty, their staff, their community engagement and say, ‘We’re working on this,’” Sengel said. “(The) reality is, when you can bring that type of energy into any area, it’s going to have an incredible benefit.”

Sengel added that she has experience bringing higher education institutions into Downtown, citing the 22 years she worked at Central New Mexico Community College, during which the school opened several classrooms across the city center.

UNM’s potential expansion comes as city officials are putting forth ample effort to revitalize Downtown Albuquerque.

In December, the City Council approved a measure to create a tax increment financing district Downtown. And in January, it passed a vacancy bill that penalizes landlords whose properties sit vacant for long periods of time in certain portions of the area. A privately-run Business Improvement District is also in the works.

“I think what this is,” Sengel said, “is a continuation of a focus.”