Springer Square Sky Link

The Springer Building is situated next to the BNSF railroad Right-Of-Way and immediately east of the ABQ Convention Center parking garage by a mere eighty-five feet. Imagine a pedestrian bridge spanning the railroad right-of-way and connecting the EDo district to over 700 covered parking spaces. We named this new bridge the Springer Square Sky Link and see it aligning with the City’s goal of becoming a catalyst for Redevelopment and Economic growth in the designated tracts. Zydeco’s concept solves several critical elements required for successful redevelopment within the EDo District.

To make the Sky Link more than a bridge, Zydeco proposes creating a new plaza between the two existing office buildings, Springer Square and the J.S. Brown Building. The existing parking lot will be moved to Parcel “C,” which is currently vacant land and situated on the east side of Springer Square along Commercial Street. The new plaza will be landscaped with shade trees, well-lit, with possible restaurants, and most importantly, it will be secure. Seating will be provided with the design intention that outdoor dining will attract residents to the plaza. EDo pedestrians can traverse through the plaza on their way to and from the city’s parking garage.

With the completion of the Sky Link, the dedicated parking for the Springer Square Office building can now move from Tracts “A” and “B” into the Convention Center parking garage. This frees up these two tracts for future redevelopment. The relocated parking space for these two tracts can utilize the daily parking that is available in the Convention Center, creating additional revenue for the City. This is also true for the ABQ Innovate project, which has issues providing sufficient parking without building more parking structures. Not only does the Springer Square Sky Link solve surface parking issues, but it also creates a synergy and a collaboration of assets across both sides of the rail track that has not yet occurred in this location.

While the concept of linking and connectivity comes from any bridge concept, Zydeco sees a vision of placemaking through this development. Aligning with the MR’s goal of creating the “Innovate Rail Trail,” the construction of the Sky Link would allow day users of the trail to park in the structure and easily access the trail. The more people move through the Sky Link, the more viable the tenants. The tenant options could include indoor and outdoor dining and quick morning coffee on the way to work or home, with the potential of some retail that could serve future apartment dwellers. The vision of the Sky Link is to begin the elimination of barriers that restrict the growth of East Downtown. As the city begins to activate its Downtown “Pedestrian First” Plan, the Springer Square Sky Link is the private-public anchor project that will serve as the catalyst for that vision.

Our Sky Link supports the vision of the City’s MR plan through connectivity, inclusion, activation, and a catalyst for future economic growth. Connecting the East side to the West side parking structure via a pedestrian-friendly hub aligns with the City’s vision of increased redevelopment and community engagement. The existing Tijeras underpass is an unsafe pedestrian passage, and our tenants refuse to use it. A bridge to the parking structure with a significant security presence will meet our parking demand and other EDo businesses. The centrally located plaza adds to the beautification of EDo with a pedestrian-first and place-making mindset. This beautification includes the removal of surface parking to accommodate a new plaza. Zydeco is dedicated to redeveloping this community with the City’s goals in mind. Through the City’s continued efforts to spur economic redevelopment of East Downtown, our proposal solves a very evident disconnect that exists with the railroad divide. Zydeco’s proposed Sky Link is ideally located between Central and Lomas and directly across from the Tijeras, Broadway, and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, NE intersection. Further validating the City’s development goals is the opportunity to build a synergy between our proposed Sky Link and Innovative Rail Trail, creating a dynamic sense of place by connecting the two.

Through all of Zydeco’s projects, creating a sense of place and community is pivotal in project selection. Mixed-use projects create a synergy of uses, whether housing, retail, commercial, office, etc. A mix of two or more user groups contributes to various uses that shape attractive destinations. Zydeco’s Phase I Sky Link encompasses a pioneering vision to create a fully commercialized mixed-use sky bridge to engage the public. Our Sky Link perfectly aligns with the MR Plan to synergize the private and public amenities for accessibility, beautification, and connectivity.

Zydeco’s vision aligns with the marketing theme for a completed rail trail: The Sky Link becomes the hub for non-Downtown residents accessing a completed rail trail. Come and park safely in the Convention Center Parking Garage and stroll across an elevated “bridge” over the rail tracks. Pause and watch the Rail Runner arrive. Take your bike or stroller down the elevator to enjoy the amenities in the Edo District, or connect to the Innovate Rail Trail. After enjoying a vigorous hike or stroll, return and relax on the Plaza under shade trees. If you are visiting one of our fine conventions, stay a little longer and enjoy all the amenities Sky Link and the EDo neighborhood have to offer. People seek variety and a range of different positive life experiences. Place-making is focused on fulfilling that need.

With a construction manager on its team, Zydeco would play an active role in construction administration and be a part of an integrated group of contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, and property managers.