Mayor: Paseo/I-25 a State and Federal Project

Mayor Martin Chávez says he didn’t include the Paseo del Norte and I-25 interchange in his federal wish list because it’s a state project.

 He made the comment Monday morning during a news conference on recycling. Television reporters asked the mayor about the story the Journal had today on whether Albuquerque’s economic-stimulus “wish list” is realistic.

The gist of the Journal story is that getting environmental clearances could hold up many of the big-ticket items on the mayor’s wish list. City Councilor Michael Cadigan suggested the city focus on simpler road projects, such as reconstructing the Paseo interchange.

But Chávez said the state and federal governments can — and have — requested money for that project.

He said the city developed such a broad wish list, including power plants and a modern streetcar, because the criteria for what projects will be funded isn’t clear yet.

As for recycling, the mayor said that households already participating in a pilot project that provides blue recycling bins will now be eligible for coupons and rewards at local establishments, such as Garduño’s restaurant.