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This story has been updated: Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:20 a.m.
New Mexico Stimulus Projects Spreadsheet
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mayor Troubled by Stimulus Distribution
By Dan McKay
Journal Staff Writer
The city of Albuquerque is in line to receive about $42 million in economic-stimulus funding this summer.
But Mayor Martin Chávez isn't as happy as you might expect. He believes some federal departments are moving too slowly to release funds and that sending so much to states instead of cities is a mistake because less of the money will end up in metropolitan areas.
"We've been disappointed in the speed with which Washington has acted," Chávez said last week as he unveiled a new city Web site on stimulus spending.
He also said the criteria for selecting projects has led to some odd choices. The Interstate 25-Paseo del Norte interchange ought to be a top priority, he said. Yet, it's another freeway intersection — I-40 and Paseo del Volcan — that's been funded. That's apparently because Paseo del Norte didn't qualify because a final design isn't finished, he said.
But Chávez also said that any money is helpful, and he hopes the city's share of the stimulus package reaches up to $175 million.
No money has been received yet. But the federal government has indicated that the city will get at least $42 million, officials said. Money should arrive in city accounts by August or September, the city said.
Chávez has eyed using stimulus money for solar plants, a modern streetcar and other new projects. But the federal government wants to fund only existing projects, he said.
So far, the largest category, about 27 percent, is for transportation projects, such as bus shelters and bus-pass kiosks. The city estimates that 461 jobs will be created or saved through the $42 million in spending.
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