UPDATED: Thanks for all the comments. Several of you mentioned the possibility of building an arena/events center in another part of town, perhaps Mesa del Sol.

That's an issue the City Council has discussed, too, but I don't think it's going to be a serious consideration at this point. The boosters of this project, such as Councilor Isaac Benton, are particularly pleased that the events center would lie near other public assets, such as the Rail Runner, and Downtown bus depot.

Councilor Debbie O'Malley, I think, has described the project as especially important for helping to save the Convention Center. I get the feeling neither O'Malley nor Benton is going to want to move the project elsewhere.

The old state fairgrounds and Uptown have been mentioned as alternate sites.

In this case, the city has been focusing on the Downtown site throughout the process, so I don't think they'd consider another location unless they decide to scrap the current effort altogether. 

A town-hall meeting later this month will put the spotlight on Albuquerque's plans for a Downtown events center and hotel complex.

New Mexico First, a nonprofit group formed formed in the mid-1980s by senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici, is sponsoring the meeting, which will be held July 17 in the Albuquerque Convention Center.

It costs $35 to register, but here at the City Hall Beat we'll take your ideas for free. Click on one of the comment icons, and we'll try to post what you have to say.

The proposed events center -- supporters don't want to call it an "arena" -- is still a long way from reality at this point. Councilors voted 7-2 last month to spend up to $700,000 on a viability assessment of the project.

Going forward ultimately could cost $350 million to $400 million. How to finance the project is undetermined.

Supporters say the project would ensure there are enough hotel rooms to attract more business to the Convention Center. And the arena itself could house sports and concerts and the like, making Downtown a destination that appeals to a broad group of people.

Should the city move forward with the project? Would you support a sales-tax increase to help pay for it? I'm listening. 

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I ran into an animal-care worker this morning who's very concerned about all the dogs and cats bolting from home this week, scared of the fireworks going off every night.

The city of Albuquerque and Animal Humane New Mexico both recommend keeping your pets inside, especially when fireworks start in earnest tomorrow night. Even well-behaved animals can get really stressed out by the noisy displays.

"You should keep your pets inside and, to some extent, busy," says Dr. John Romero, associate director of the city Animal Welfare Department and chairman of the state veterinary board. "Give them something to chew on or play ball with them."

It's also a good time to make sure your pets are microchipped and wearing tags. 

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It's not often you find Mayor Martin Chavez joining the County Commission chairman for an announcement. But he did yesterday, standing with Alan Armijo to launch a new "climate protection task force."

Armijo and the mayor are old rivals, having run against each other in the 2001 mayoral campaign, which Chavez won. They frequently trade jabs in the press.

Also on hand for the announcement was City Councilor Isaac Benton, an architect who's taken the lead on "green" building legislation.

Anyway, the announcement focused on creation of a new 35-member global-warming group, including representatives from Sandia National Laboratories, environmental organizations and government agencies.

Chavez said he hopes the task force will compile a “climate action plan” within six months. It will provide recommendations for how governments and citizens can combat global warming.

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The old Bell Trading Post on West Central has been revived as an office and loft development, Mayor Martin Chavez announced this afternoon.

The post, abandoned for the last 20 years,  lies at Laguna and Central NW.

The public is invited to an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

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