The Albuquerque Historical Society honors Leslie Naji with an Albuquerque History Accolade in recognition of her exceptional contributions to preserving and promoting Albuquerque’s history. As the City’s Historic Preservation Officer since 2016, Naji has helped protect historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landmarks while advancing their recognition and interpretation. Through her preservation work and advocacy, she has helped ensure that Albuquerque’s historic character remains an important part of the city’s future.
Ms. Naji has been the Historic Preservation officer in the City of Albuquerque’s Planning Department since 2016. During this time, she has worked to safeguard the character of historic districts, buildings and neighborhoods often helping residents see their own communities in a new light. She has worked to shield neighborhoods from demolition and out-of-scale development. Leslie champions a simple but powerful idea that safety and community come not from tall fences, but from neighbors who know each other and look out for each other.
During her years of service, she has been involved with City landmarking including the following properties:
- New Main Public Library
- Aldo Leopold House at 135 14th St NW
- Historic Fairview Cemetery
- Rt 66 Rio Grande Bridge
- Central Avenue Railroad grade separation
- Barelas Community Center
She has also worked to achieve National Register of Historic Places status of the following:
- Special Collections Library (Albuquerque’s first library)
- East End Addition – first development by an African American developer
- Medical Arts Historic District (mid-Century modern development)
- Heights Community Center
- Barelas Community Center
She ably assisted Roger Zimmerman with the application and approval of the Central Avenue (Route 66) Underpass (1937) and the Central Avenue Bridge over the Rio Grande (1930) as National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks. She advocated and arranged for a brass plaque to be installed at the intersection of Central and 4th Street with the landmark status.
Leslie was initially involved in the city’s Energy Updates to the Special Collections Library. However, after the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Leslie had to modify the plans to maintain compliance with NRHP guidelines.
For all these reasons and many more, the Albuquerque Historic Society honors Leslie Naji with a History Accolade.
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