ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One of Albuquerque’s densest neighborhoods is also seeing a wave of big-box stores packing up and leaving. Now, an Albuquerque city councilor is asking the state to step in to help buy up empty big-box stores in the International District. “Because these key vacancies are a blight on our community, are magnets for crime, and we just need to activate them for positivity,” said Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor for District 6.
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Empty lots and boarded-up windows are all that’s left of some big-box stores in the heart of Albuquerque’s International District. That includes the Walmart and Walgreens at San Mateo and Central, and the CVS on the corner of Louisiana and Central. However, could the state legislature help the city buy them up? Councilor Rogers is asking for $12 million in funds to be able to acquire properties that are vacant and considered public nuisances like that CVS.
“I think when we look at calls for service, we look at what’s happening, especially the CVS on Louisiana and Central. These are just key vacancies and very visible vacancies that I know legislators across the state will recognize,” said Councilor Rogers…