Council preserves name "Juniper Flats" for senior housing property despite administration caution
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Summary
The Albuquerque City Council voted Nov. 5 to preserve the name "Juniper Flats" for planned senior housing at 25 Hotel Circle NE, after council members said the name better preserves residents' dignity than alternatives tied to the city's shelter network.
The Albuquerque City Council on Nov. 5 adopted a resolution directing the administration to preserve the name "Juniper Flats" for a planned senior housing property at 25 Hotel Circle NE. Councilor Grout moved the resolution and the council approved it unanimously.
Administration response and legal caution: The CAO told council the city does not yet own the property and that naming generally involves coordination with the executive branch; city attorneys cautioned that overly prescriptive directives tied to appropriations can raise separation-of-powers issues because courts view detailed micromanagement of executive functions skeptically. City legal staff advised caution but also said naming decisions are within the council's authority; the CAO said staff would work with council to find a solution.
Council rationale: Sponsors argued the name preserves dignity for future residents and avoids labeling the property as a shelter. Councilor Grout said changing the name to include the word "gateway" could suggest the building is a temporary shelter rather than permanent affordable housing and would stigmatize residents.
Outcome: The council adopted the resolution preserving the Juniper Flats name; the vote was unanimous.
What happens next: the administration and council staff will coordinate on signage and naming follow-through as the property acquisition and operational details continue to be worked through.