State Invests $2.2 Million to Revitalize Barelas
November 1, 2022 | KOB – “It’s $2.2 million that’s what we’re investing here today. That’s the announcement,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at a press conference.
Barelas! Named a Best Food Neighborhood in the U.S. (no surprise here, verdad?)
August 30, 2022 | AFAR – Settled in the 1600s, this neighborhood is the oldest in Albuquerque. It hugs the Rio Grande and Camino Real, a colonial-era trail that once led all the way to Mexico City and is now home to the South Broadway Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center. The latter houses Torreón, the largest concave fresco in North America, and the destination restaurant La Fonda del Bosque, where you may be tempted by the Chinese barbecued duck quesadilla or Albuquerque French Dip, served with a green chile red wine au jus. The area has a wealth of old-school panaderias and Mexican and New Mexican restaurants. Some have even made their way into popular culture, appearing on shows both real (Man vs. Food) and fictionalized (Better Call Saul).
Street Food Institute breaks ground on new home in Barelas
August 19, 2022 | Albuquerque Journal – Elizabeth Bibiano, owner of vegan New Mexican restaurant Vegos, can’t say enough about her time at Street Food Institute. “The access and resources, the plethora of knowledge — wow, holy cow,” Bibiano said. And soon, more New Mexican foodies will be able to access those resources as Street Food Institute breaks ground on its new facility, Central Barelas Kitchen. The new building will triple its size.
Downtown Albuquerque News: Long-planned overhaul of Fourth in Barelas looks set to move forward
April 10, 2022 – With planners working on construction documents and a key state organization strongly hinting that it will fund at least a part of the overall effort, a $5 million renovation of Fourth Street in Barelas looks set to proceed this year or soon thereafter. The project, which covers the area between Coal and just north of César Chávez, entails a laundry list of changes designed to slow down traffic, make life easier for pedestrians, and generally beautify the area.
The Barelas neighborhood got its start as a 17th century colonial settlement
April 2, 2022 | Albuquerque Journal – A drive through Barelas reveals vibrantly painted murals, narrow streets lined with shotgun houses in various stages of aging next to new adobe homes and storefronts that once served as service stations. People on bicycles or on foot are a common sight. Tucked away at the intersection of Barelas Road and Hazeldine Avenue is the community center citizens united to build in the 1940s. It’s also home to the ABQ BioPark Zoo, the revered Barelas Coffee House, the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Albuquerque Rail Yards. People usually place the neighborhood under the South Valley umbrella, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Barelas has deep cultural roots that flow all the way back to the time of the conquistadors.
Barelas neighborhood to see $5 million makeover
March 29, 2022 | KRQE – Big plans are in the works for Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood. Keith Romero is the president of the Barelas Community Coalition and for the first time is revealing plans for the Barelas Great Blocks Project which will give 4th St. a $5 million makeover from Avenida Cesar Chavez to downtown.
City of Albuquerque begins distributing 80,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits
January 28, 2022 | KOB-4 – ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The City of Albuquerque has started handing out at-home COVID-19 tests in areas that were determined to need the tests the most. The city is working to distribute around 80,000 at-home tests – the first round of supplies from the federal government – starting in areas of high social vulnerability. The Barelas Senior Center was one of the first stops. City officials were handing out kits Friday.
Barelas community leaders hold press conference ahead of United Stadium bond vote
October 17, 2021 | KRQE – Community leaders from the historic Barelas neighborhood are answering questions about the impact a new soccer stadium could have in their area. Voters will be weighing in next month on a $50 million bond to cover the lion’s share for that multi-purpose stadium.
More on the intersection mural from the Journal
May 1, 2021 | Albuquerque Journal – Editorial: Barelas teen artists turn ABQ intersection into traffic safety art
Barelas has a new mural ON THE STREET (at 4th + Hazeldine)!
April 24, 2021 | KRQE – A group of teens in the Barelas neighborhood created the city’s first intersection mural. The teens, along with the Artful Life Organization, created the mural called “Sunset Mix.” This Vision Zero project was a collaborative with the Barelas Community Coalition, Barelas Neighborhood Association, Mayor Tim Keller, City Councilor Ike Benton, CABQ DMD, Homewise, and Creative Paving Solutions.
