It’s hard to believe it’s been over five years since a five-day public charrette at the First Baptist Church gave birth to the EDo Master Plan–unanimously passed by the City Council in March 2005–and a new vision for East Downtown.

So, what’s happened in those five years? And what might happen in the next five?

The Lofts at Albuquerque High was 70 rental lofts in 2 buildings in 2003. Today, it’s 234 total homes in 7 buildings plus the new BelVedere/Urban Courtyard Living block of 13 buildings. As a result, we are now the City’s highest density neighborhood with a vibrant and growing residential community.

The Artichoke Cafe was the only star in the restaurant constellation. Today, residents of The Lofts enjoy a five-minute walk to a variety of outstanding, diverse eateries: The Grove Café, The Daily Grind, The Standard Diner and Pizzeria Farina, with Lionel’s set to open soon.

Local small businesses are flourishing, such as Route 66 Dry Cleaners, Two Time Couture, Bhava Yoga Studio, Waves Salon, and Chez D’Or Salon & Skin Spa. Others are coming.

The 1927 Manual Arts Building at Historic Albuquerque High is under construction—two levels of apartments above ground-level commercial.

The vacant 1926 Memorial Hospital has received all its needed local, state and federal historic approvals to be converted to a 74-room boutique hotel. Construction is scheduled to begin this Spring.

The Rail Runner train service to Santa Fe leaves daily from the Alvarado Transportation Center, just two blocks west of Broadway and Central. And there is serious discussion of a new Events Center for Albuquerque being built on the site of the First Baptist Church, which plans to move to a new facility on the West Side.

Because of all this activity on Broadway and Central, millions of dollars have gone into the renovation and improvement of the single-family homes and small apartment buildings on the neighborhood streets of historic Huning Highlands.

We have great cause for celebration, but fulfilling the vision of the EDo Master Plan remains in the early stages. So, what will the next five years bring?

We would like to offer the following as goals to be achieved between now and 2013:

1. More residential buildings constructed along Broadway and Central—rental and sale.

2. An Urban Fresh Market, with a café, deli and full service grocery.

3. More retail services to join our current businesses.

4. A Modern Streetcar connecting Downtown, EDo, University, Airport, and Nob Hill.

Great cities have great Downtowns. Is Albuquerque destined for greatness?