City councilors defer action on transportation merger, potential development in Barelas neighborhood

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Albuquerque city councilors decided to hold off on taking any action over a number of hot issues on their agenda Monday night. 

Councilors deferred action on a proposal that would look into the possibility of merging ABQ Ride and Rio Metro. The city would fund a study to see how a consolidation plan would work.

Councilors are expected to take this up again during their next meeting on Oct. 2. 

Meanwhile, councilors also postponed their decision over a mixed housing and commercial development project in the Barelas neighborhood. 

Some neighbors fear this is one more project that could eventually push them out of the place they’ve been for generations.

Developers, however, say it’s an opportunity to stimulate the economy and provide affordable housing. 

If the city council sides with neighbors, developers would have to rethink the commercial component, and go with more housing.