City of Albuquerque, Department of Municipal Development
Grants Awarded
Supported by state funds, DMD (Department of Municipal Development) plans to build the West Old Town phase of the Rail Trail, a major recreational attraction connecting key Albuquerque attractions and localities on foot or by bike, including the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Zoo, and popular retail spots such as El Vado and Bike in Coffee in Old Town Farm. The project will also enhance public spaces,improve pedestrian safety, foster economic growth, decrease city congestion, and connect historically lower-income neighborhoods to employment and mass transit, ultimately driving neighborhood economic stimulation and promoting a healthier, interconnected, and more equitable community.
The Department of Municipal Development (DMD) oversees the major capital construction projects for the City of Albuquerque. This includes not only buildings, but roads, trails, lighting, and a wide range of other construction projects. DMD assures capital projects will be completed efficiently and in a timely manner with high quality standards. DMD provides the operation and maintenance of city streets, storm drains, and traffic signals, as well as the development and design of capital infrastructure for streets and storm drainage. DMD’s divisions include the Capital Implementation Program, Engineering, Real Property, Storm Water Management, Street and Storm Maintenance, Traffic Engineering, Neighborhood Traffic Calming, and Construction. At any given time, DMD has hundreds of projects actively underway. The Rail Trail project is a current priority. One of the most ambitious public infrastructure projects in the city in many decades, when completed the Rail Trail will be a seven-mile linear park that connects some of Albuquerque’s most historic downtown neighborhoods to the existing Bosque Trail. Similar trails in other cities have helped to make neighborhoods safer and more accessible, stimulated massive economic growth, and fostered a stronger sense of community. One segment is complete, in the Sawmill neighborhood, and has proven to be a highly popular amenity. This segment, along with a new roundabout on Mountain Road, is a major accomplishment and was completed ahead of schedule. A wide, accessible trail, the Sawmill Rail Trail segment connects Old Town and Sawmill together and offers an inviting and well-lit recreational amenity. A trail project of the magnitude of The Rail Trail cannot be carried out alone. From the beginning, DMD has worked closely with the city’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA), which oversees redevelopment projects that foster economic development in the city’s urban core. A current Trails+ grantee for the Central Crossing bridge project downtown, MRA’s mission is to initiate collaborative public-private partnerships that lead to thoughtful and catalytic revitalization by investing in community for sustainable and equitable growth. DMD has also planned this trail in close consultation with the state’s Department of Transportation, BNSF Railroad (along segments with active rail lines nearby), the County, the Mid Region Council of Governments, Downtown Albuquerque MainStreet, businesses, and residents. Moving the Rail Trail forward is a core goal of Mayor Tim Keller in his third term. This goal was made more urgent by the federal administration cutting $11.4M in competitive grant funding for the downtown Rail Trail segment.