City project provides parking for Nob Hill

Shoppers and other visitors headed to Nob Hill now have about 80 new parking spaces to choose from, and another 20 should be on the way.

City Councilor Pat Davis announced Tuesday that the city of Albuquerque and Nob Hill Main Street — a private group that works to revitalize and promote Nob Hill — are renting unused parking spaces from businesses in the area.

Some spaces are available during the day, others at night, depending on when the property owner needs them. Signs are posted at five parking lots letting people know which spaces are available and when.

It’s a $50,000 pilot project.

“Last-minute shopping just got a whole lot easier in Nob Hill,” Davis said Tuesday morning. The parking is available at:

University Lodge Motel at Solano and Central NE, from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Goffe Visual near Bryn Mawr and Monte Vista NE, from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Guitar Vista at Silver and Bryn Mawr SE, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Two lots by Immanuel Presbyterian Church at Hermosa and Silver SE, from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

A lack of parking in Nob Hill has been a longtime complaint, and the city has occasionally considered the possibility of building a parking garage or new parking lot.

But the pilot project — expected to be in place for a year while the city studies how it works — is a cost-effective way to add parking now, Davis said.

“We’re hoping this is a start to something bigger,” said Omega Delgado, administrative coordinator for Nob Hill Main Street.

A little over 80 spaces are now available for public parking, and the city and Nob Hill Main Street are looking for another 20 to add.

LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT EASIER IN NOB HILL. PAT DAVIS ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCILOR