Pueblos plan Albuquerque business hub

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Pueblos across the state are joining forces to built a $300 million shopping, entertainment and cultural center.

Something of this size, and with this many pueblos, has never been done before, and it will be right in the heart of Albuquerque.

In the near North Valley there is a dirt lot across from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, but 19 pueblos are investing a lot time and money to turn it into 26-acre booming business hub.

"Really the benefits will not only come to the tribal community but to the Albuquerque community," Michael Canfield said.

Canfield is the CEO of Indian Pueblos Marketing, the group leading the charge.

Restaurants, different type of shops, dry cleaners and brew pub, are just a few of the ideas for the Albuquerque Indian School District, he said said.

Canfield and the pueblos hope the district will offer a lot to the community.

The one-of-the-kind pueblo district will be a pueblo version of ABQ Uptown with shopping, food, cultural displays and more including office space for Indian business start-ups.

The plan even has education in mind.

Canfield said they want to take the last remaining building from the one-time Albuquerque Indian School, renovate it and make it the new home for a charter school.

The pueblo people and Albuquerque won't have to wait too long.  Canfield said they are talking to tenants now and hope to break ground before the end of the year.

The money made at the businesses in the Albuquerque Indian School District will be split among the pueblos.
The district will also have space free for federal Bureau of Indian Affairs buildings in the area to expand.