All the Way to Santa Fe

My son and I just got back from our first Rail Runner trip to Santa Fe. Despite the gloomy, rainy weather the journey was fabulous. Met lots of interesting people both on the train and in Santa Fe who are so enthusiastic about what the RR means for this area. Lots of talk about how cool it would be to take RR to a downtown arena in ABQ.

For those who haven't been to the Santa Fe Rail Yards, I can only say that it is impressive (shops, restaurants, galleries, farmers market and an amazing park) and really offers ABQ a vision (challenge?) of what can be achieved around the ATC.

REI at the Rail Yards

Packed Parking Lot at Bernalillo

Got a little info on upcoming stations. A stop near Ceser Chavez that would serve Lobo and Isotopes games has been approved and has funding. There's a strong possibility this will be available for football games in the fall. Work is progressing on getting the Sandia Station started. Nothing iminent but it is in the works. Hopefully the opening of the Isleta Station will spur the stake holders to get this going.

Stimulus Package to Include ABQ Streetcar?

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting this week Mayor Chávez made a pitch for a Main Street Stimulus Package that would locally include two large scale solar projects, a wind farm and construction of the oft-discussed street car along Central Avenue.