ABQ Uptown is Stealing Downtown

January 10, 2008

I am a sucker for those grainy old postcards that show some Albuquerque landmark from another era. Whether it is the old Alvarado, The Kimo, or UNM, I can stare at these for hours minutes wondering how great it would have been to see the character of Albuquerque back in the day.

Perhaps the most captivating antique images are of downtown Central. The frontier business men, the trolly cars, and the busy sidewalks condense the essence of up and coming Albuquerque in a single 4×6 card.

This is why I was troubled to see the cover of the New Mexico Business Journal. The headline reads, “Is Uptown the New Downtown?” The article, although never answering its headline question, points out the differences between the two. The troubling aspect comes from imagining if Uptown were to become the new Downtown It would represent a trade, loosing local businesses and history in exchange for… in exchange for… The Elephant Bar.

Despite best efforts to salvage and regenerate downtown with lofts and businesses the battle may be lost to the Q. While the Downtown Action Team has amassed a red clothed army of “Ambassadors” peddling away on their bicycles or proudly coasting on their Segways, Abq Uptown developed a deadly formula of a kitchen appliance store, three chain restaurants, and a bunch of other places selling silk scarves. Abq Uptown’s developers pulled out their rolodex of mercenary stores and restaurants. They are unique to no region, call no place home, and have no greater goal than to steal some Burque business.

Burque and the Q are separate. The heart of Burque lies somewhere between Nob Hill and the South Valley. The social center of the Q is somewhere between Abq Uptown and the I-25 at Jefferson. If there is any common ground between Burque and Q it is that both enjoy boasting their best. In Albuquerque at any given time there are probably 2 or 3 “Best Of” lists in circulation. Some of these, such as Alibi’s vote for titles unique to Burque while others (Albuquerque the Magazine) are all about the Q.

While these lists are divided into categories, each has their crowning title. Think of watching track at the olympics, the 400m hurdles, maybe it will be on tv, the 100m sprint, there is the main event. The 100m event, the defining achievement, of a “Best of” list for Burque has to be “Best Chile,” for the Q it is hands down, “Best Dentist.”

Other accolades may include:

Best restaurant:
Burque: Barelas, Frontier, Saggios, Blakes, even Dions.
Q: Texas Road House.

Best move theater:
Burque: The Guild.
Q: Century 24.

Best saying:
Burque: “Which is hotter?”
Q: “Isn’t this place cute.”

Best Modern Building:
Burque: Tie -The Airport & The Hispanic Cultural Center
Q: Tie – That strip mall on Motgomery & that new office complex on Jefferson

If you are still unsure what would be so bad if ABQ Uptown were to be our area’s “downtown,” simply ask yourself why you live here rather than Phoenix or Salt Lake City.

When I discuss the Albuquerque of my youth with my children I hope that I can take them to the places that defined my childhood rather than show them grainy postcards as we sit on a polished bench waiting for our table at the Elephant Bar .

-D

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