‘We just need help’: City council bill about vacant buildings deferred

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A bill looking to help fill Downtown Albuquerque’s vacant buildings was amended to change rules about blocking sidewalks and holding banners.

Ordinance 42 would penalize owners of dilapidated and vacant buildings if the facility stays in that state. It also involved rules about sidewalks and forming lines.

During the meeting on Monday night, many spoke about how they felt about the bill. Business owners said it would help the people who frequent the area.

“The people that live down here or work down here or own buildings or operating businesses, they are working they are working really hard to make Downtown better. We just need help,” said business owner Lisa Curtis.

The proposed bill would make it illegal to sleep, sit, or block sidewalks in Downtown. However, the bill was amended to take out the prevention of banners or forming lines.

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The public came out in droves – some explaining they want change for Downtown.

The bill was debated up to 10 p.m.; however, it was deferred until the next meeting on an 8 to 1 vote.

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