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Friday, February 05, 2010
Mayor Studying Downtown Arena
By Dan McKay
Copyright © 2010 Albuquerque Journal
Journal Staff Writer
A team assembled by Mayor Richard Berry's administration will begin examining the viability of a Downtown event center and hotel complex today — even as Albuquerque Public Schools moves forward with an offer to buy the main site considered for the project.
In a Journal interview Thursday, Berry broached the possibility of acquiring some of the land from APS if needed for the event center. But he stressed repeatedly that he hasn't determined yet whether to move forward on an event center or hotel.
"At this point, I call myself neutral on it," Berry said. "I want to study it."
APS Superintendent Winston Brooks, meanwhile, said the district made an offer on the property Wednesday. The site, at Central and Broadway NE, now features the former First Baptist Church building, which the school district believes would work as a fine arts magnet school.
But even if the sale goes through, Brooks said, he's willing to consider selling or sharing some of the property with city government. He and Berry talked about the issue earlier this week.
"I think the mayor would have preferred that we would have waited and that we would have perhaps worked with the city and maybe even have gone so far as to have (a memorandum of understanding) on how to share the property," Brooks said. "My view is that it doesn't change anything if the district is successful in purchasing the property. We can still enter into an MOU, and we won't gouge the city."
Berry said he told APS officials that if they end up with the First Baptist site, the city is willing to discuss "the land portion of the site" if it's available at a reasonable price. The land might not ultimately be used for an event center, Berry said, but it could be valuable to the city for Convention Center expansion, parking or other purposes.
Berry said his team will examine earlier studies on the event center project. They will be open to several Downtown sites, not just the First Baptist one.
The city administration, he said, has no "current plans to put in an offer on the site."
Brooks said he's open to discussions with the city.
"I don't know whether it's sell, lease or trade," he said of transactions the district might consider. "I'm willing to work with the city."
City Councilor Isaac Benton, whose district includes the Downtown area, said a recent city appraisal of the First Baptist site estimated the value at $11.3 million.
"I'm an advocate (of getting the property) with or without the event center," Benton said. "It'd be a good investment for the city when you think it's next to the Rail Runner and high-capacity transit on Central. It's a key piece of property."
Brooks didn't reveal the amount of APS's offer.
In the meantime, Berry said, his Economic Development Department has put together the team to examine the viability of a Downtown event center, hotel and "facelift" for the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Berry took office only two months ago, but the previous mayor, Martin Chávez, was a big supporter of the project.
The Chávez administration was considering a $330 million to $400 million project, straddling the railroad tracks near Central Avenue. Initial analysis suggested the effort would require a one-eighth cent increase in gross receipts taxes, and the project ultimately stalled on questions over how to pay for it.
A Journal poll last year showed the tax increase idea was broadly unpopular with likely voters.
Berry said he didn't know whether a majority of the City Council would support an eighth-cent tax increase.
Asked whether a private venture capital group was getting involved, Berry said, "I'm sure there are people interested in looking at the project, but those aren't at my direction."
He said he wants to study what types of taxpayer support would be needed, job creation and economic impact, he said. He noted that stimulus funding might be available.
Berry said he wouldn't rush the process, even if it takes weeks or months.
The eight- or nine-person team examining the project includes supporters of an event center, opponents, bankers and others without a firm position on it, Berry said.
"I'll come out with my take on this, with my position on this, when I feel like the homework is done," he said.
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