Albuquerque Awaits Verdict in Historic Landmark Case

Albuquerque Awaits Verdict in Historic Landmark CaseAlbuquerque Awaits Verdict in Historic Landmark Case Albuquerque, New Mexico, is on tenterhooks as the city anxiously awaits the verdict in the landmark case “City of Albuquerque v. Albuquerque Historic Landmarks Preservation Board.” The lawsuit, filed by the city against its own Landmarks Preservation Board, challenges the board’s designation of the historic Huning Highland neighborhood as a protected landmark. The Huning Highland neighborhood, built in the early 20th century, is home to a diverse collection of historic structures, including the Spanish Colonial Revival-style Highland High School and the Pueblo Revival-style Candelaria Elementary School. In 2019, the Landmarks Preservation Board unanimously voted to designate the neighborhood as a historic landmark, a move that would have protected it from certain types of development. However, the city filed a lawsuit against the board, arguing that the designation was invalid because it was not based on substantial evidence and that it would hinder economic development in the area. The city also claimed that the board’s process was arbitrary and capricious, and that it failed to consider potential economic impacts. The case has drawn national attention, with preservationists and developers on opposite sides. Preservationists argue that the Huning Highland neighborhood is a unique and irreplaceable part of Albuquerque’s history, and that it should be protected from insensitive development. Developers, on the other hand, maintain that the designation would stifle growth and innovation in an up-and-coming part of the city. The trial, which began in August 2022, has featured testimony from experts on both sides, as well as from residents of the Huning Highland neighborhood. The jury is now deliberating and is expected to reach a verdict soon. If the jury rules in favor of the city, the historic landmark designation will be overturned, and the Huning Highland neighborhood will be open to unrestricted development. If the jury rules in favor of the Landmarks Preservation Board, the designation will remain in place, and the neighborhood will be protected from certain types of alterations. The verdict in the “City of Albuquerque v. Albuquerque Historic Landmarks Preservation Board” case will have a significant impact on the future of Albuquerque’s historic landmarks. It will also set a precedent for other cities across the country that are grappling with the issue of preserving historic buildings and neighborhoods while also fostering economic growth.