Silver Hill Neighborhood Association

Many residents of Silver Hill (on Gold and Silver avenues) are eligible for state tax credits that can reimburse homeowners for up to 50% of certain construction work and upkeep done on the home. The credit is applied to your New Mexico income tax.

University Heights to the east is seeking a similar Historic Overlay Zone, and they are hosting a clinic this Saturday, and they invite our neighbors to join in and get information about the state’s tax credits. Here are the details:

There will be a workshop on Saturday, May 17th 2025, at Bethany Hall, Monte Vista Christian Church, 3501 Campus Blvd NE to answer any questions. Come at noon to enjoy a light lunch and social time. At 12:30 pm Steven Moffson of the NM Historic Preservation Division will discuss the progress his office is making toward listing University Heights as a historic district which would make many homeowners there eligible for the tax credits.

At 1:00 pm Matt Saionz, with the NM Historic Preservation Division, will show how you can apply for the credits for renovating your historic house. Neighbors who have used the program will share lessons learned.

Some costs like additions, landscaping, maintenance, and demolition are not generally eligible. Work must be approved before it is started. This can take a couple of months.

Early consultation with coordinator Matt Saionz is critical. He can advise if your house is eligible and what work will qualify. You can reach him at (505) 827-4040 or matt.saionz@dca.nm.gov


Find more information at http://www.nmhistoricpreservation.org/programs/tax-credits.html

Residents have expressed concerns about the parkway construction along Silver Avenue and side streets by private contractors laying fiber-optic cable. Neither the residents nor the neighborhood association have gotten advance notice of the work, and there have been complaints citywide about property damage from the construction. Here is some information for residents:

The latest project is on Ash between Silver and Buena Vista. It is under the contract for Gigapower, one of three companies doing this work across the City.

Here is a link to the City’s website:
https://www.cabq.gov/technology-innovation/broadband-office/high-speed-fiber

If you have a complaint about damage to property, it is the responsibility of the company (not the City) to make residents whole.

Here is how to reach the companies:

Ezee Fiber: 505-539-4848
Gigapower: 505-420-5195 (currently in our neighborhood)
Vexus Fiber: 844-512-5022

A City representative is scheduled to attend our June 9 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Heights Community Center, 823 Buena Vista SE.

Here is a construction map:
https://www.cabq.gov/municipaldevelopment/maps/traffic-report

The City issued a Stop-Work Order against another company, Ezee Fiber, in response to construction concerns:

City announces new restrictions and requirements for fiber internet installation

ALBUQUERQUE – The City of Albuquerque is continuing to respond to resident concerns about damage and disruption that private internet service providers (ISPs) have caused during fiber broadband installation construction. A stop-work order was issued to Ezee Fiber after the company failed to address numerous concerns the City raised about Ezee Fiber’s compliance with its licensing agreement, including a substantial increase in complaints from residents. Ezee Fiber is one of three ISPs currently licensed to install fiber in Albuquerque, with Vexus Fiber currently on a stop-work order and Gigapower continuing construction.

The City will announce new rules that internet service providers will have to follow, making it easier to hold them accountable and minimizing impacts to neighborhoods.

Board members present: Emmy Hill, Eva Blaylock, James Montalbano, Thomas Ocken, Don Fischer.

Others present: John Hudson, Judy Hudson, Lindsay Wood, APD Lt. B. Johnson, Jessica Sapunar-Jursich, Daniel Hudak, Tim Keller, Angelica Archuleta-Romero

Mayor Keller dropped in unexpectedly and gave a state-of-the-city discussion, focused mainly on crime (he cited declining statistics) and efforts to increase housing to assist in the problem of homelessness. He answered questions from resident, focused mostly on those issues.

The Board discussed last-minute preparations for the Arbor Day Weekend celebration of the 20th anniversary of the replanting of the trees along Silver and Gold Avenues.

Jessica Sapunar-Jursich gave us an abbreviated presentation about the early stages of the City’s plans to reimagine Buena Vista as a safe street for bicycles and pedestrians. The project is in the planning stage and is welcoming ideas from residents about how to create a Bike Boulevard.

Join in for an Arbor Day event on Silver Avenue on the last Saturday of April.

We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the replanting of the trees along Silver Avenue and Gold Avenue. We will gather outside 1701 Silver at Pine from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday April 26. Come for music, treats and a reunion of some of the people responsible for the project that reforested Silver Hill from Yale to Sycamore.

Details here:
Email C4.25×5.5

Board members present: Thomas Ocken, Sara Beltran (Jacob Lopez), James Montalbano, Don Fischer, Emmy Hill
Neighbors present: Justin Ruth, Rose Rushing, Corey Stackhouse, Daniel Hudak, Sue Oldenburg
Guests present: Lindsay Wood, Nob Hill News; Angelica Romero, mayor’s liaison

The Board discussed an Arbor Day event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the re-planting of trees on Silver Avenue. The date of April 26, 2025, was confirmed. Several board members will finalize details, such as food, invitations/fliers and a possible tree giveaway. VIPs and other guests will be contacted. The event will be based at 1701 Silver (at Ash) and include the medians. Plaques or certificates may be arranged to present to those who were responsible for the project in the early 2000s.

Residents brought up more complaints about overflowing dumpsters and fires being set by transients. The Board will endeavor to have a presentation from Solid Waste to address these ongoing concerns.

Board members present: Eva Blaylock, Thomas Ocken, Sara Beltran (Jacob Lopez), James Montalbano, Joanne Kuestner, Emmy Hill
Neighbors present: Justin Ruth, Rose Rushing, Corey Stackhouse, Daniel Hudak
Guests present: Laura Kuehn, APD crime prevention; Mike Power, Kirtland AFB and Joey Power; Lindsay Wood, Nob Hill News; Angelica Romero, mayor’s liaison

The Board discussed an Arbor Day event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the re-planting of trees on Silver Avenue. The date of April 26, 2025, was chosen. We will explore music and food options. We should have details set at our March 10 meeting. Sara Beltran will contact Tree New Mexico about the possibility of a tree giveaway at the event.

The Board discussed 1701 Gold, which is seeking to be added to the MRA in order to gain tax breaks as part of the City’s redevelopment program that runs along Central. The issue will come up before the ABQ Development Commission at its February 20th meeting.

The Board heard a presentation from Mike Power, commander of Kirtland AFB. Among the events, he talked about an open house at the AFB at the end of May.

Laura Kuehn offered advice on crime prevention and answered questions about preventing property crimes.

The Silver Hill Neighborhood Association held its annual meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025.

Board members in attendance: Eva Blaylock, Thomas Ocken, James Montalbano, Jacob Lopez, Don Fischer. See below for the rest of the attendees.

The meeting featured a presentation from Maria Wolfe on the latest updates on homelessness in Albuquerque. Here are the slides from her PowerPoint presentation:
https://www.cabq.gov/mayor/documents/shorter-housing-homelessness-cc-jan-2025.pdf

The presentation generated a conversation about homeless issues in Silver Hill. Residents’ concerns focused on the crime and nuisances associated with those living on the streets. One resident offered assistance to homeless people in the form of $5 mini-blankets and glass alcohol-fueled heaters that would cut down on fires.

Several neighbors expressed concerns with dumpsters. Some suggested that property owners should have to lock them overnight. The Board will follow up with Solid Waste to make sure dumpsters are getting serviced regularly and that they have lids. Concerns persist about fires in dumpsters, in addition to people going through them and scattering garbage on the streets.

Also in attendance was a representative from Albuquerque Police Department, Lt. Andrew Herpolsheimer, who offered advice on dealing with trespassers and intruders.

Board elections were held. Three members were re-elected to two-year terms: James Montalbano, Thomas Ocken, Don Fischer. Board member Judy Hudson did not stand for re-election. Her spot was taken by Emily Hill, who was elected unanimously. Board members whose terms continue for one more year are Eva Blaylock, Jacob Lopez and Joanne Kuestner.

Other SHNA residents in attendance: Diego Lopez, Liam & Lilly Andrus, Isaac Fox, Kelly Craig, Dana Craig, Sue Oldenburg, Corey Stackhouse, Rose Rushing, Emily Hall, Whitney Meeder, Justin Ruth, Ingrid Mahler, Jill Sattler, Jim Sattler, Ellen Cline, Chris Banks, Anna Rutins, Jennie Hinson, Sandra Roth, Greg Yazzie, Rebecca Jones, Mark Nolan, Sara Beltran.

Guests in attendance: Maria Wolfe (City Homeless office), Angelica Romero (Mayor’s liaison), Lt. Andrew Herpolsheimer (APD), Lindsay Wood, Chris Pine (USPS)

Silver Hill NA will hold its annual meeting:

7 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2025

Heights Community Center,
823 Buena Vista Dr. SE

Key topics:

– Election of Board Members
– Discussion of Homeless issues with City’s top administrator
– Crime Update from APD rep from UNM Area Command

Bring a topic to discuss! Bring a friend or loved one.

The December meeting was back at the Heights Community Center.

Board members present: Eva Blaylock, James Montalbano, Tom Ocken, Don Fisher, Judy Hudson

Others present: John Hudson, Daniel Hudak, Lindsay Wood, Chris Burnett and Anjelica Romero (Mayor’s liaison)

Tom Ocken gave a presentation on luminarias for Christmas Eve. We have enough bags on hand but would have to buy about $250 in candles. Sand is free. He has arranged for block captains for most blocks. Christmas Eve is on a Tuesday. Those present expressed support for going forward with the event.

Chris Burnett is a host of the podcast Ten-Drink Minimum, which he has hosted for nearly 20 years, gaining a following not only across Albuquerque but around the world. He lives Downtown and led a conversation about life downtown, touching on such issues as business retention, parking, homelessness and crime. It was a wide-ranging discussion. The podcast airs live from 5 to 7 each Sunday and is available afterward on most podcast platforms.

Lindsay Wood lives in Spruce Park and is visiting area neighborhood associations in anticipation of starting a Nob Hill newsletter, based on the model of Downtown Albuquerque News.

Board members present: Eva Blaylock, James Montalbano, Tom Ocken, Joanne Kuestner
Others present: Jim Satler, Jill Satler, Ellen Cline, Kristelle Siarza Moon

For the second month in a row, because of a holiday closing of the Heights Community Center, the group met at Differential Brewing on Yale.

Luminarias were discussed. There is no funding to hire out the job this year. There was interest in returning to having neighbors set up the luminarias on Christmas Eve this year.

Kristelle Siarza Moon gave a presentation. She is the CEO of the marketing firm Siarza. She talked about ways that residents can work with businesses to strengthen neighborhood bonds, especially as a way of supporting the businesses along Central Avenue in Silver Hill, University Heights and Nob Hill.