This story was originally published at EatABQ, the city's food, restaurant and drinks guide. EatABQ is a publication of The Paper, ABQ's new alternative, independent weekly.
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The team behind the International District Economic Development group has launched its first big project: a multi-pad food truck hub on San Mateo between the Parkland Hills and South San Pedro neighborhoods.
Just in time for cooler weather and easily modifiable to COVID-19 outdoor dining practices, FoodHub ABQ offers a rotating selection of local food trucks on the site at 1000 San Mateo Blvd, SE between Central and Gibson.
Situated close to Kirtland Air Force Base and the busy San Mateo corridor, the project has already proven popular with service members from the base.
According to the US Census Bureau, the number of food truck establishments in the US in 2018 was 5,970, nearly double the 3,281 in 2013. In 2018, these businesses employed 16,210 workers and reported annual payroll of $320.6 million.
Alex Horton, the founder of the IDED and developer of the project says the food truck hub is just the first part of a redevelopment project for the long-vacant parcel. Future plans include retail for locally-developed small business and studio apartments. Construction is expected to begin in 2021.
The IDED was founded in 2019 to help support entrepreneurship in the International District, focussed on minority business startup. The group recently opened a coworking hub at 111 Wyoming NE and supported the startup for Mustard Seed Flowers, a new woman-owned flower shop on San Mateo less than a mile north of the new food truck site.