Steam & Excursion > ABQ ATSF Railyards Site Prep could cost $50 to $80M

Short excerpt from today's ABQ Journal:

Preparing the Albuquerque Rail Yards for redevelopment could cost the city between $50 million and $80 million in infrastructure, environmental remediation and structural renovations, according to a preliminary analysis by an outside consultant.
Leland Consulting Group said in a draft report filed with the city this month that the range reflects three development scenarios: $50 million is the estimated cost to ready the Rail Yards for a low-density redevelopment strategy, while $80 million is for a more intensive plan. The Portland, Oregon-based firm is recommending the city pursue a medium-density strategy and estimates the associated prep work would run about $55 million.
Those costs would include utilities, landscaping, cleaning up contamination and making improvements to the aging structures on the 27.3-acre property, which was once used for steam locomotive repair.
Rail Yards site prep could cost city $50M to $80M million

The ATSF 2926 group has envisioned building a roundhouse and engine/car service area near the existing turntable. See this link from the 2926 website:
Plans for AT&SF 2926's New Home?

Image from ABQ Journal article
https://d3el53au0d7w62.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/28/07092019004.jpg

Or they could just sell it to someone like Allan Affeldt. 
Just to show you how slow Albuquerque works, the article on the NMSLRHS site is 7 years old and people at 2926 would still like to park their locomotive there.  With the AAPRCO convention coming to ABQ next month, there will also be some talk about making the railyards a storage facility for PV's. 

Cumbresfan Wrote:
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> Those costs would include utilities, landscaping,
> cleaning up contamination and making improvements
> to the aging structures on the 27.3-acre property,
> which was once used for steam locomotive repair.
> Rail Yards site prep could cost city $50M to $80M
> million.

If they didn't have to do the contamination clean-up how much would it cost them?  It's not cheap to run utilities, build streets and do landscaping.  Even if they have to spend 50 to 80 mil, what is the return that they will be getting for the land?  On top of that what do they expect to earn in taxes over the next 10 years.  As with any investment you have to look at long term potential gain.

wingomann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cumbresfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Those costs would include utilities,
> landscaping,
> > cleaning up contamination and making
> improvements
> > to the aging structures on the 27.3-acre
> property,
> > which was once used for steam locomotive
> repair.
> > Rail Yards site prep could cost city $50M to
> $80M
> > million.
>
> If they didn't have to do the contamination
> clean-up how much would it cost them?  It's not
> cheap to run utilities, build streets and do
> landscaping.  Even if they have to spend 50 to 80
> mil, what is the return that they will be getting
> for the land?  On top of that what do they expect
> to earn in taxes over the next 10 years.  As with
> any investment you have to look at long term
> potential gain.

This site was purchased in 2007 for $8.5 million with Albuquerque paying for half of that.  Twelve years later is remains undeveloped except for the Wheels Museum, weekend farmers markets, and the occasional movie shoot which uses it as a studio.  Even if the city got it for free, it wouldn't be a bargain with the cost to clean it up.  Everyone knows that site cleanups cost more than estimated and this one will be no exception.  There are four non-negotiable projects that have to be done during renovation:  The major buildings and smaller historic buildings must be rehabilitated.  The Wheels Museum will move into one of the historic buildings. There must be low income housing consisting of at least 30 units, and the development must benefit the Barelas neighborhood. 
Municipalities shouldn't be in the business of buying land and developing it.  The city should never have bought this land in the first place but now that they are stuck with it, it should be given to a reputable developer who will honor the historic traditions of the area without the meddeling of a local city government that can rarely agree on anything or accomplish anything.  Look at the ART project which was totally botched. 
 

And if doesn't, in any present concept, appear to create many if any jobs. ABQ isn't hurting for open space.

Out

Been nice for the historic collection to have remained as a museum.  A few in SFE management had this dream, but not to be.  Get rid of the damn stuff!

YardLimit Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Municipalities shouldn't be in the business of
> buying land and developing it.  The city should
> never have bought this land in the first place but
> now that they are stuck with it, it should be
> given to a reputable developer who will honor the
> historic traditions of the area without the
> meddeling of a local city government that can
> rarely agree on anything or accomplish anything. 
> Look at the ART project which was totally
> botched. 

There is a huge difference between acquiring land for redevelopment and developing a bus transit system.  They are two very different endeavors (particularly since, in most parts of the country, municipal governments typically own the streets on which buses run).

As far as the ART project being "totally botched," it seems too soon to make that judgment as it has not yet opened for service.  There were major issues with the vehicles, but the project is moving forward and the Albuquerque transit system is looking to hire more drivers.

Similar bus transit systems have been built and are being successfully operated (by governmental bodies) in Eugene, OR; Fort Collins, CO and Grand Rapids, MI.  If ART is not successful, it will be due to its particular circumstances, not because a municipality undertook a transit project.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/19 20:01 by RuleG.

The first "Master Plan" engagement, June 2012, didn't work well.
https://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/p-a-awards/albuquerque-rail-yards-master-plan_o
https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-cuts-ties-with-rail-yards-developer/
So we're going to give it another shot.
https://www.cabq.gov/council/projects/completed-projects/2014/albuquerque-rail-yards-redevelopment