New mural to breathe new life for International District
Work has started on a new mural at Expo New Mexico in the International District. It's all part of the city's Vision Zero project to prevent pedestrian deaths on Albuquerque roadways.
"The idea behind community engagement is that we're not just going to come and put it on the wall. We're going to talk with everybody in the community and engage them," said Andrew Fearnside, the lead artist on the project.
The artists who will be helping paint the murals are teenagers who live in the area.
"I'm hoping that this will kick start some more projects in the future that'll bring us together to do even more murals," said Finnegan Parker, a Highland High School teen who's part of the project. "It's rough around the edges, but, the people around here are genuinely charming."
The mural is just a small part of the project, but it has business owners and workers in the area talking.
"This is historic 66 and it should be beautiful and it should have beautiful art and display and artists from New Mexico," said Janee Sheridan, owner of Seven Ten Dispensary.
"I think nothing's going to change," said Amelia Mel, a worker at a local jewelry store.
Just across the street from where the mural will be placed are homeless encampments. Workers and business owners told KOAT that they've even encountered drug use near their place of business.
Even with all the issues, Sheridan decided to open her business in the area to help be part of the change in the neighborhood.
"I started this business to try to even encourage people off of that. We're trying our best to encourage people to clean up the area and just continue to move forward," Sheridan said.
One southbound lane of Louisiana will be impacted by this project. Also, two bus stops along Louisiana will be closed temporarily.