First Impressions
The July 2026 site visit by CSL to Albuquerque reinforced that the city’s primary opportunity is not increasing tourism demand but strengthening Downtown as a vibrant mixed-use destination through targeted catalytic investments. Discussions with Visit Albuquerque staff, City leaders and staff, venue operators, developers and other stakeholders consistently emphasized that Downtown revitalization should be viewed first as an economic development strategy, with tourism serving as one of several outcomes. Increasing residential density, activating underutilized areas, strengthening entertainment and cultural assets, and creating year-round activity were identified as critical priorities for attracting private investment, supporting local businesses, retaining talent and enhancing Albuquerque's long-term competitiveness as both a place to live and a destination to visit.
Places Visited
