22-04-2025
Bill aims to bring more community events to downtown Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –An Albuquerque City Councilor says there's an opportunity to bring more cultural enrichment to downtown Albuquerque, while also letting fewer buildings sit empty. The KiMo theater is one of a few venues mentioned in a new bill that looks to bring more activity to performance spaces the city already owns. 'Right now, both those theaters aren't open very often,' said Albuquerque City Councilor Joaquín Baca.
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The KiMo and South Broadway Cultural Event Center are among those, city councilor Baca wants to see get used more. A bill he's introducing on Monday is looking to do just that. 'Now it's, you know, typically big shows, all of them great, but very, very few shows. I mean, it's closed most of the time, and, you know, as a public space, it's part of our community,' said Baca.
The bill would be specific to a handful of performance spaces downtown, requiring them to hold a total of at least 12 events a month, which would triple the number they currently hold. 'The community is asking for the ability to put on performances to use these spaces. You know, these are public spaces. They should be used by our community,' he said.
This bill is also looking to simplify how the community can rent the space. 'It would help up the price, lower the barriers to putting out a performance. You know, a lot of these communities can actually put on performances that generate revenue, but it's really hard for them to get the space rented without paying up front, even though they rely on ticket sales to pay for it,' said Baca.
Baca said this could include uses besides typical shows. 'It doesn't have to just be performances. I mean, the idea has been floated through the years of having it like a museum gift shop or a place to get wine. This is more about like, let's activate those spaces. Let's not just leave them,' he said.
As Baca hopes to bring the life and community engagement Baca said the KiMo used to be known for. 'I live downtown, and I used to go to the KiMo pretty regularly with my kids. There was always something going on, whether it was just the screening of a movie or a play, or there was always something. They had a big calendar over that town. That doesn't happen anymore now,' he said.
If the proposal passes, the city's Arts and Culture Department would be responsible for coordinating those events and simplifying the rental process for those spaces.
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