future design of albuquerque's railroad yards is focus of university writing competition

In a move to describe what the future of the vast Albuquerque Railyards could someday look like, the University of New Mexico is asking for writing submissions focused entirely on the well-known site’s future and meaning.

A competition sponsored by UNM’s School of Architecture and Planning will review poems, short stories, and other forms of fiction related to the site.

According to a news release from UNM, the competition is deigned to “imaginatively re-inhabit the area in ways that encourage the establishment of a vibrant community.”

Up to three winners in each of the submission categories will receive $200 each and have their submissions published in the Weekly Alibi.

Submission deadline for the competition is March 15.

Located in downtown Albuquerque, the railyards comprise just over 27 acres off of 2nd Street SW and is the former home to the Atlantic and Pacific railroad.

Since 2007, when the city of Albuquerque purchased the site, various ideas and plans for redeveloping the property have been aired.

The city is now seeking public input on how to proceed with a redevelopment that could eventually include new affordable housing, office, and retail space.

As part of the redevelopment process, remediation at the north end of the site has now been completed at a cost of around $1 million.
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It is thought that it will ultimately cost tens of millions of dollars to fully redevelop the railyards, a process that could take more than a decade.

​By Garry Boulard

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