Apartment complex construction underway | Business

An eyesore in the Northeast Heights is finally being transformed.

Construction has started on the new, upscale Broadstone Santa Monica apartment complex.

It’s been in the works since 2007. And since then, the project has been plagued with controversy and a bad economy.

The Del Rey Mobile Home Park had sat on the lot between San Pedro and Louisiana for about 40 years. But developers bought up the property. And mobile home residents were forced to move out after the owner shutdown the neighborhood.

The zoning change was approved and construction was set to begin when the economy took a huge hit: Construction was delayed in 2011 and did not start up again until this week.

Titan Development said the project will take between 18 months and two years.

About 350 construction workers are expected to be working on the site, and the developer admitted some of the workers aren’t local - but from Phoenix.

Still, Kurt Browning said the economic impact will be great for the community. “I think it's fantastic for Albuquerque and that's why the city and city council were supportive of this," he said. "This particular project is over $20 million in construction. It'll be an 18-to-24 month project. Good for the construction community, good for the city."

As for the residents forced to leave, Browning said the company helped some residents relocate adding that some moved just across the street.

The first phase will transform 14 acres of the 58-acre site. Broadstone Santa Monica will feature 280 units.