¡Colores!; 1401; Albuquerque's Historic Neighborhoods; Interview with Residents from Sawmill and Princess Jeanne Park

And then I also, wait a minute, let's talk about that first, because this is really, you said this has been here for what, two years? Yeah. This is amazing. Well, it's amazing. You know, once you're just like, are we ready to, you know, there's more to come. The plan for Arboletta to be there was completed in 1998. We had charrettes at one of the rooms in the Museum of Natural History, where we invited people to come for about three days whenever it was convened. We had the designers there, the team that we had selected. This was a team that included architects with the NDA going, this was through a competitive process, the community reviewed all of the applicants and chose this team. Design workshop was the plan, major plan, the lead plan. And we talked about what we wanted, people would come in and say, yeah, I like this,

but I don't like this. And a lot of considerations were taken into account. People spilling about traffic, noise, public space. We wanted to create a community that, by design, I don't want to say forced people, but encourage people to interact with one another. We have so many subdivisions going up on the fringes where the garage is the first thing you see off the street. People go into a garage and they don't know who their neighbors are. We didn't want that to happen here. Let's scale this back and let's look at how people want. People want a sense of community. We heard that over and over again. They would talk about growing up in their neighborhoods and knowing their neighbors and feeling safe that their kids are safe. So with our designers, they said things like, well, you're going to have to make the street

a little more narrow. You can have the houses closer to the street. You want to create space where people can see each other. So all the houses have an impurchase on them and they're close to the street to keep eyes on the street. They also have, I think, designed the compliments old town, Northern Mexico style housing. That is appropriate for this area. That's why we got it. We got it. Nice to play. Getting this project going to a lot, a lot of effort, I would say 99.9% determination really well. We fortunately had a lot of political support behind getting it going because development by itself is not rocket science. It just has to be the will to make it happen. The private sector probably would not have gotten involved in this project. I mean, I shouldn't say that because they didn't take the lead in it, but they certainly

benefited the private sector, because we're nonprofit developers and we contracted with a lot of private industry to make this happen. But to actually invest in something like this as a developer and make this happen, no, the private industry would not be interested. They couldn't come in quickly enough, make their money and leave. So who was left? Well, the nonprofit sector, they're the ones that do things like this all over the country. This particular project is pretty unique, and then the community became the nonprofit sector. But that's the way these kinds of things get done. It's pure will because it costs what it costs to build. And I think a lot of times cities are already looking at, well, what's the economic benefit and sometimes ignore the social benefit or something like this. The social benefit and economic benefits are huge.

I don't think we can calculate those things. I think cities really need to, I feel, really need to look at these kinds of projects to make things happen. They are complicated. They do take resources. But the change that they create is just amazing. It's really amazing. That's great. It's going to stop, Dave, sir. I don't have any. Something like this done, you're always worried that you don't talk about how people's participation and it, because it took a lot of people participating in it to make it happen. I mean, there was this quarterly group, but then, you know, we had two national groups working with us, and, you know, so I just feel like, well, I guess you can't, you know, say all of that. You're right. Tell me about the history of your parents and the people in this community, because, you know, we're going to see your name on, and I think that a lot of people are going to

say, well, that's interesting. Mr. Rubin, sorry, and she's not Hispanic. Yeah. So, talk to me about all these people who came around, you know, your father's a great example. But then, you know, he speaks Spanish fluently, and then I imagine that language he spoke more than anything else for a long time. Talk to me about that. Okay. I was about that the Somal neighborhood is unique in that you have all these families, some of which came from the farms and ranches of the areas outlying Albuquerque and actually from small towns to work in the Somal. So, and then you had people that came from that east. So, you have this co-meaglic of folks, and, but interestingly enough, you have the first language of Spanish in this, in this community. Oh. Come on, separate there for a second. We got to. Thanks.

Amazing. Oh, that was, that was pretty unique about the Somal community, was the, the families that lived in this area, and then he had lived, lived here for generations. And, with last names, I cooked in your lodge, Warner, it's my family name, and I thought it was interesting that growing up, they all spoke Spanish to one another, my father's first language is Spanish. And he was called Wettel growing up, because you look, you look like a wettel, a gavachio, anglo, you see the word, they also refer to English as they make it kind of so, because that was interesting. So, his mom spoke Spanish, and English, and his dad actually spoke Polish, thought it was from Poland. He actually came on the railroad, it was a hobo, and my grandmother's family had been here already for several generations. So, I just always thought that was interesting, I, I thought some, this last names were

actually Spanish last names growing up, because people spoke Spanish, and they have a real strong time to, that language, and I think their history, and they're still the same people that lived in this summer, and they've stayed, despite the problems here, that's why I've always thought it was pretty amazing, despite the environmental problems, and that's so sure why that's happened, that's certainly given this area, I think, the strength it's needed to get through a lot of what's happened here. Good, it's going to stop here. I don't have anything else. We, I don't know, I'm going to make sure I give you the correct information, I mean, you're going to have to bear with me. Diantary? Well, we're going to interview her on Wednesday. Did you, did you get hold of any of those people I gave you?

Can you, do you want to cheer? No, this is actually. Are you sure, Kendra? Yeah. When you get to one? No, this works. Where's my purse? My purse outside? Did you leave it the other room? Rolling. It's a great look of shadow. This might come to me and bother you. No, I wish I had some. What can you give me some love, this is over. Actually, it will give you, this is delicious. Men offering gum and candy, Kendra, this is not good. That's not good. It gets worse. It gets worse. We're rolling. So, let's start from the beginning. And insofar as the fact that this show is about neighborhoods, the historical neighborhoods of Albuquerque, I want to ask you just, I'm interested in your ideas and your thoughts on some general questions, some general issues. Like, for instance, what do you think a neighborhood is? A neighborhood should be a community. A community of, made up of different types of people, families,

people who know each other, which is something that I don't think happens too much anymore, not like it used to. A neighborhood is where people watch out for each other. Great. Good. And having said that, do you think that you live in a neighborhood? And if so, why, or if not, why? In our particular area of Princess Jean Part, there's pockets where that sense of community still lingers, that the newer residents or people who don't have a history, a sense of history of the area, most of them, I would speculate, aren't here for the long term. And when you're not in any place for the long term, you don't get that involved. And that's what a neighborhood needs is involvement.

People who care about what's happening now, as well as what's happening, going to happen in the future. So what's it like living here? It's nice living here. This area of Princess Jean and this area of the Northeast Heights still has managed to successfully retain the charm of a small town while still offering opportunities of a big city entertainment. Albuquerque was much, I mean, it's grown tremendously, just so much in the last, say, 20 years, that parts of it probably have clung to the past, because it's much more comfortable. So tell me about your experience in this neighborhood. Were you born here? Did you grow up here? What was it like to want up here? Let's go back in time.

I know this neighborhood, like most neighborhoods, but certainly this neighborhood has changed a lot. There's a lot of things that we're here that aren't here anymore. So tell me the story. Actually, my father was transferred to Albuquerque. This goes back to 1953 and he lied to my mother. He told her that they would just come to the States for two years to see how things were. And so we came from the Philippines and we were at the time, there were, it was two different air force, I mean, two different military bases. One was Sandia, which was Army, and then Kirkland, which was the Air Force Base. And my father was stationed at Sandia. And then my mother heard about this new housing division that was being built by Dale Bellema. So she told her commodities, her two friends. There is a new housing division being built near the base. And so they came. And while my father was looking at all the different houses,

my mother signed papers. She bought the first house. And this house that we're in now was the first house resided in in the Franciscan Park. I come from a family of seven. All of us grew up here. My one sister was the first graduating class of Manzana High School. My one brother graduated from Sandia. In fact, he was a participant in designing and creating the Matador statue. And all of us were raised here. We've all gone to the local schools, Jackson Jr. High, Manzana High School, McComb Elementary, Kennedy Jr. High, and the university. I think a little break right there. Yeah, the plane. Yeah, sounds like a tank. Can you give me a MCU? Great. Roller. I'm sorry, I just wanted to stop here. Let me just say, let's start from the beginning.

Tell me about your parents, where they came from and how they ended up here. And try and... Condense it? Yeah. Okay. When World War II ended, my father was a member of the Filipino Scouts, which was incorporated into the U.S. Army. And he was transferred here to Albuquerque. And he was assigned to Sandia Base. At the time, there were two military bases. And my mother heard about this housing division being built by Dale Bellema. And so they came with her friends and looked at the model homes. And at the time, there were, I think, two or three model homes on Constitution. But the rest was blank mesa. There was nothing here. Absolutely nothing. In fact, at one point, you could still see deer and wildlife in the area. And behind this house was where the lumber yard eventually was erected. And the lumber yard was where they, you know, the builder used all materials from that lumber yard.

And for a long time, this house, because it was the first one resided in, had no neighbors. It was a very lonely time for my mother, because all the rest of us, the older children were in school. And she would tell stories about going from window to window and just looking out at this vast expanse of mesa. And just crying, because there were no neighbors. No neighbors whatsoever. But, you know, slowly, gradually, you know, the houses were built. And we knew all our neighbors. At that time, everybody knew everybody. And that's not the way it is anymore. Let's talk about, thank you. That was excellent. So I had to do something. When Princess Jean was first built, it was considered a high-end community. And Dale Bellema had, we had tennis courts. We had a swimming pool. We had this beautiful arched entrance to the park with a waterfall and a bridge.

And at the time, I think people looked at this place as where, you know, people who had managed to succeed. This is where they moved to. This was something to target. And then eventually, there was a shopping center and TGNY, Rexall Drugs. I think this grocery store was called Arbor Supermarket. And it was pretty self-contained. I mean, everybody, everybody came and went. But most of the errands were run, you know, within a minute, two minutes distance. I mean, it was all very, you know, complete. And like I said, people knew each other then. I mean, you could, I have one great memory in the summertime. This is before air conditioning was very, you know, common. But in the summertime, you could hear voices of your neighbors and friends well into the night. Because people would stay in their front yards, you know,

with blankets and iced tea. The kids would play in the streets and you just set out in your front yards, you know, talking to your neighbors and friends. And at the time, the stars were brilliant. Because Albuquerque was, the stars were just an incredible thing to see. And as it got darker and darker and as children got tired and went to bed, and, you know, the adults would, you know, linger and have these great conversations quietly in the front yards. It was a wonderful place to grow up in. Yeah. That's a wonderful story. Talk to me about the pool. I heard that there was some kind of pool or something up here. There was a pool just this side of you bank. And it was, it abetted a tennis courts, a series of tennis courts. And if I remember correctly, there were like six tennis courts. And the pool was open to all the residents of Princess Jean. And if you were lucky, you became a guest of one of the residents. And it was a wonderful pool. It was a wonderful activity. The parents felt very comfortable about sending their children there.

And the children, you know, it was great because, like I said, air conditioning was not common then. And so that was a great way to cool off, a great way to spend the summer. And the area was just much, people took a pride and ownership then. That you don't see a lot now. And there would be like these little covert competitions at the maintenance of lawns and who was doing the best with their yards and the landscaping. It was great. It was a wonderful atmosphere. And I don't mean to paint like a real polyanna picture of it, but it was a lovely way to grow up. Now, having said that, let's talk about a little bit of what the palms are now, what this neighborhood's facing. And we're talking 30 years later, at least, down the road. Almost 15, almost 50 years old. And Princess Jean is at a transition. It's at a crossroads.

Without help from the city and from people who are in decision-making positions, this neighborhood can either spiral downward, sustain itself, or renew itself. And efforts right now are being made by the neighborhood association and by concerned citizens. And it would be a shame not to target some of the city's resources in protecting this neighborhood, this area. Because it has contributed a lot. A lot of military families have slipped in Princess Jean. Many of them. Because it was such a new development. And they relocated so close to Sandia Base and Curtlyn Air Force Base. And right now, like most neighborhoods, older neighborhoods in the city, we're having to deal with a proliferation of rental homes, because the original residents have passed on, and their properties have become rental properties.

And unfortunately, not to generalize too broadly, but people who don't own the properties won't take care of them as well as the homeowners themselves. And what the neighborhood association used to try and remind people was that their homes are the greatest investment they will make. And it's very important to protect them. The neighborhood is showing signs of age, is showing signs of being tired. It's infrastructure needs support from the city. And hopefully, you know, it'll be forthcoming. That was a very good way of putting that. I know it's certainly a key stop for a second, please. I know it's, you talked to me about that, is that? Well, I think the one way to prevent a neighborhood from eroding and for it losing its quality of life, for its residents,

is for the residents to remain involved. They have to care enough to give a little bit of their time and energy towards the efforts in either repairing the neighborhood or sustaining the neighborhood, keeping it safe, keeping it safe for the children and for all of families, making it welcoming. I think that it really does boil down to people caring. If you're not going to care about your home and about your neighbors and about your friends and the people that you share your lives with, then there's something dreadfully wrong. So what do you see trying to look into the... Into the crystal ball, trying to sort of guess the future. What do you see being... What do you think the Charles State Assembly is going to be in 20, 30, 40 years? For Princess Jean?

Yeah. Actually, I think Princess Jean is going to... I think it's going to experience a renewal because, especially with the economy being the way it is right now, there are so many young families who like the idea of an established neighborhood where there's a history that they can track either with the police or the different agencies in the city. So they're coming to these older neighborhoods now and because the houses are so well-built. I mean, most of these houses, I mean, they fix up nice, they clean up nice, but many of them have not had any kind of major repair because they were built so well. They last. And I think the younger families, even young singles, are coming into the old neighborhoods to look because they know that they have a quality item, a quality product that's going to last. I think you're right. No, I think you're right. No, I do. I think that, you know. You are right. I just bought a 1940 or 1930's house and it's a parade that it's going to strip there. So talk about that.

Well, when you bought a home in Princess Jean at the time, there was... You had an option, if I recall it correctly, you had an option of entering... You could buy furniture through a partnership plan with American furniture. You could buy your cars through a partnership plan with a particular dealer. The houses came with appliances. They came with a stove or refrigerator. And interestingly, the tables were all color coordinated. The kitchen tables were color coordinated with kitchen counters. And it was a wonderful thing to see. And I believe my parents did buy some furniture through American furniture. Some of it that's still in the house. Yeah. It's quite a tough time, certainly. We got it. Yeah, but, you know, I'm going to end up plugging neighborhood associations. I don't know if you want. Well, because I really think that that's the key. Then that's great. When the city was much smaller, it was very easy to know your neighbors.

Especially if you were in a development that was new like this. You knew people that were moving in because you saw the moving back come up. That sense of community no longer is as strong. And I think that's because people have become isolated, you know. They tend to stay indoors and not pay attention to what's happening outside. I think one of the key ways to stay involved with your neighborhood and to regain that sense of community is by becoming involved with your neighborhood association. And it's unfortunate that people can't find an hour or two hours a month to become committed to their neighborhood association because that's the entity that can provide them resources, networking, and an avenue to actually meet their neighbors whom they haven't met before.

Excellent. Very good. Very appropriate for the show. So tell me about, same shot, wider? Yeah, there's still a little bit of water please. Yeah. Stop here. One of the qualities that Princess Jean had and to some degree still has is it encouraged families to move in. Like I said, military families were really drawn to it. It's uniqueness, I think, comes from when it's location. To the way it was configured, the way it was designed by Mr. Belma and the other planners. It's very self-contained. It's boundaries are clearly marked. And because of the variety of homes, home designs, there are different types of people. And the diversity of people that have come in is, I think, good. I think it's healthy. You know, other neighborhoods may appeal to just a particular,

I don't know, social or economic status. But I think areas like Princess Jean has a diversity that can be very appealing. And actually can be very productive, you know, for an area. So what was Belma's vision here? It seems like there was a real mission with this neighborhood. And again, I'm going to go where I'm going over some stuff we just covered I just want to hear you say it all differently. I'm sorry, but we're talking about a shopping center. We're talking about pool. We're talking about a real neighborhood that was in and of itself, you know, it's almost a separate entity from the rest of what's going on. I don't, I mean, I don't profess to have access to what Mr. Belma's visions were, but certainly his designs and the vision that came to be was very successful. I mean, this was a self-contained neighborhood.

This was long before any of the communities, you know, that behind, you know, their gates ever popped up. I mean, you had your shopping center, you had your dry containers, you had your grocery store, you had your drugstore, you had the swimming pool for the kids, you had the tennis courts for the adults and the older kids. It was very self-contained. He was, he was really a visionary in his design. There are, there may be other communities that, you know, came afterwards, but Mr. Belma was, was a leader in that way. Yeah. Okay, stop, take please. That was a great idea. That was, dude, go shopping, you could go. Was it a self-contained, was it a neighborhood truly in, you know, the true sense of the word neighborhood? No, it wasn't. You didn't get your card, you didn't drive downtown. You could get everything you needed here. Absolutely. Talk to me about that. You could walk. You could walk, I mean, within five minutes, you could be at the shopping center. You could get your prescriptions filled at Rexall Drugs. You could go to the five-in-dime, which was called TGNY.

You could get your groceries taken care of. As the kids grew older, they got, you know, part-time jobs at TGNY or Barbara Supermarket or Rexall Drugs. The dry cleaners was there. You didn't have to go far. You didn't have to, it's interesting. The boundaries of life were pretty close, you know, close by. And the schools were here. People went to the PTA meetings. They went to the school functions. They knew their children's teachers. It was, again, you know, not to make it sound, you know, like straight out of Mark Twain, but it was a lovely way to grow up. People knew each other. Here's an example. If someone's strange, if a stranger entered the neighborhood, you could trust that three or four immediate neighbors would call you and say, you know, do you know that man or that person, you know, that's on our street?

No, I don't know. Well, you know, but everyone would keep an eye on him. The children were safe. Parents could send their six, seven, eight, ten-year-old kids to the grocery store for an errand. Go pick up, you know, go pick up a couple of onions for them. You couldn't do that now. You know, parents don't feel safe letting their kids out of their side for one minute. Much less to go, you know, run an errand for them. Yeah. And so, we'll stop time for a second. Tell me, do you have any recollections of Gwen Swimming? Tell me about what that was like. That was the pool was wonderful. It was a wonderful diversion. And it was located between Mary Ellen, which is the first suite that you pass coming to the park. And it was located between Mary Ellen and you bank. So, where all those businesses are now, that was where the tennis courts and the pool were located. There was also a little park there.

So, you could go and have picnics and, you know, while your parents played tennis or after you swam, you could go out and, you know, have a picnic lunch in the little park area. And the bridge, I hope you can find pictures of the bridge. It was a wonderful thing. It was magical. And there was a big sign, you know, declaring that this was Princess Jean. And the bridge had a waterfall, a brick wall. It was lovely. People would throw their coins in there to make wishes. You know, it was always just, you know, something magical about it. He must have had a wonderful sense of pride in this neighborhood. There was. There was a wonderful sense of pride. People took pride in protecting it, keeping it safe, keeping it clean. You seldom had a neighbor, you know, who fell down and doing his or her share of maintaining the properties. You didn't see a decline in ownership, and pride of ownership, really. Everyone was very keen on making this a safe, clean environment for the families to live in.

Excellent. Let's go to the top two. One of the great things about this area before it was really developed, and as Princess Jean was, you know, slowly starting to build, is because the maces were still, you know, untouched. Um.