OPINION: Zoned out: How decades of discriminatory planning still haunt Martineztown

Martineztown is facing gentrification because for decades there has been no effort to preserve and protect the historic single-family residential neighborhood. The city of Albuquerque Housing Neighborhood Development and Economic Fund (HNDEF) 2022 Report states residents of Martineztown Santa Barbara Neighborhood are known to have higher unemployment rates, lower median household incomes and higher poverty rates than the regional average. The rents are increasing in the neighborhood, making it more difficult for residential owners to afford their homes. Future planning and redevelopment efforts such the Rail Trail, Rail Yards redevelopment and other new amenities will increase rent pressures as property values are likely to increase. The city of Albuquerque so far is unconcerned that Martineztown will face inhospitable economic conditions that produce the displacement of residents and small business and overall gentrification.

The purpose of the Federal Zoning Enabling Act of 1922 was to keep incompatible uses separate from residential areas. In 1959, Albuquerque and all other cities, towns and communities were enabled to develop their local zoning regulations. At this time the city allowed incompatible uses next to residential single-family dwellings in Martineztown. The resident’s health, safety and welfare were ignored. Today a line of 5-ton toxic diesel trucks warm up in the morning right next to single-family dwellings.

In 2018, the city of Albuquerque enacted the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) which allowed mixed-use zoning. The mixed zoning was already established in Martineztown. The city of Albuquerque allows a property owner to construct a multifamily building next to a single-family dwelling and the single-family property owner has no say. For this reason, the current mixed zoning in Martineztown has allowed developers to compete against the families for older homes, further gentrifying the neighborhood. Since the 1970s, the residents have protested against the city of Albuquerque from expanding Downtown into the Martineztown Santa Barbara neighborhood. These discriminatory and racist practices continue.

To date, the city of Albuquerque arrogantly included a portion of Martineztown into the Downtown Metropolitan Redevelopment Area, taking away economic funding for the Martineztown Neighborhood. The city also recently moved two parcels of Martineztown into Downtown, again in spite of community opposition.

When Martineztown becomes so dense and the water and sewer lines have to service more people, the city will have to upgrade the entire water and sewer systems. As housing becomes more expensive, the current residents of Martineztown and the other historic neighborhoods will continue to be squeezed out.

According to the city’s 2022 HNDEF Report and community recommendations, the way to stop gentrification is to control rents not only to protect tenants but also to quell the appetite of investors for Albuquerque’s land.

Martineztown Santa Barbara Neighborhood needs the city of Albuquerque to start working with the neighborhood to stop the gentrification. We need to build and preserve affordable housing units for low-middle income residents. The community needs support and city funding to rehabilitate buildings and improve facades for housing. Existing small businesses need support. And, good quality jobs that pay a living wage with benefits are important for Martineztown and other old historical neighborhoods. This is how the city can maintain our traditional neighborhoods and protect them against gentrification.

Loretta Naranjo Lopez is the president of the Santa Barbara Martineztown Neighborhood Association.