🌱 City Council Votes Down Rent Protections + New Food Truck Corral

Hi all. Michelle Paul here with your fresh copy of the Albuquerque Patch newsletter, full of all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Periods of clouds and sun. High: 67 Low: 39.
• Thursday: Clouds and breaks of sun. High: 61 Low: 38.

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Here are the top three stories today in Albuquerque:

1. On Monday, the Albuquerque City Council voted down a proposed ordinance that aimed to protect renters from specific undisclosed fees and fines. Mayor Tim Keller shared his disappointment over the decision, saying, "Now is the time for additional resources to protect tenants and increase transparency in the rental process, and we are disappointed this ordinance did not pass. The proposed changes were conservative safeguards, needed especially now as so many people are struggling to find affordable places to live." (KOB 4)
2. Several months after Mayor Tim Keller called two parking lots on Central "drivers of crime," Albuquerque is finalizing plans to arrange for a "food truck corral" that will take place at a Central lot on 2nd Street. Food trucks will be able to gather on Friday and Saturday nights from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. in the new designated place. The corral will provide a centralized location for food trucks to gather to help improve public safety with lighting, fencing, and increased police awareness among other incentives aimed at improving safety in the area. (KOB 4)
3. A member of the Albuquerque City Council is pushing for new legislation that would give more power to the city's planning department's code enforcement division to take care of properties determined to be a public nuisance. City Councilor Pat Davis is the council member behind the legislation, which hopes to help the city deal quickly with nuisance properties rather than needing to call in someone else to take care of problems. (KRQE News 13)

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Today and tomorrow in Albuquerque:

Wednesday, March 8

• Family Craft At Taylor Ranch Branch Library (3:30 PM)
• Dungeons And Dragons At Albuquerque Main Library (4:00 PM)

Thursday, March 9

• National Mental Health Alliance Day At Homewood Suites (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Whether you're looking for a new home or keeping an eye on the housing market, this list of available real estate in the Albuquerque area is for you. Available properties include a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house for $729,900. (Albuquerque Patch)
• Visit the Albuquerque Museum to check out its current exhibition, Indigenous Art, Culture and Community: Works from the Ruth and Sidney Schultz Collection. The exhibit will be on display until Jul. 28. (Albuquerque Museum via Instagram)
• Join the Sante Fe Art Institute for its annual 140 Talk on Thursday, Mar. 28 at 6:00 p.m. The event will feature the institute's monthly artist residents and community members who will share their stories. (Santa Fe Art Institute via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you around!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.