UNM, city team up to boost Route 66

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The city of Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico are teaming up for a project to revitalize the Route 66 corridor.

The collaboration will take place at what is being dubbed the UNM + ABQ Citylab in the old Sears building at the corner of 5th Street NW and Central Avenue, which the city now leases.

The plan is for graduate students from UNM's School of Architecture and Planning to research, develop, and create ideas for the Route 66 project.

And this is just the beginning.

"This is our ecosystem," UNM provost Chaouki Abdallah said. "If the city does well, the university will do well and vice versa.

"So I hope this will be the genesis of many, many more collaborative efforts."

The Citylab will also be used to teach architecture student, as well as hold lectures for the community to keep residents involved.