Voters approve $180 million in city bonds for streets, parks, housing and public safety

Albuquerque voters on Tuesday approved 11 general obligation bonds totaling $180 million to fund a variety of city projects. The bonds will go toward areas including public safety, affordable housing, public transportation, storm drainage improvements, libraries and museums.

Unofficial vote totals showed each item had at least 60% voter support as of Tuesday night, with 73 of 74 voting locations reporting.

The proposed bonds were prepared by Mayor Tim Keller’s administration and adopted by the City Council. General obligation bonds are secured by the full taxing authority of the city.

The most costly of the city bonds is $50.9 million to build and repair city streets, bridges and sidewalks. The measure includes improvements to McMahon NW, Paseo del Norte and Unser NW, and Indian School NE east of Juan Tabo, along with pedestrian safety upgrades around Whittier Elementary School, Wilson Middle School and on East Central Avenue. The city street bonds passed Tuesday night with almost 79% of the vote.

Voters approved $33.8 million in bonds to fund city parks, swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreational facilities with around 75% of the vote. The parks and recreation bonds will provide $5.5 million to the aquatic center at North Domingo Baca Park, among other programs.

Two bonds will support affordable housing and relief for homelessness. A measure approved by almost 73% of voters will provide $27.4 million for community enhancement, including $5 million for homeless facilities and $3.5 million for senior centers.

Another bond will distribute $10.2 million to support the Workforce Housing Act to fund the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing for low- to moderate-income working families and seniors.

The city will spend $20.8 million on improving public buildings, facilities and systems, including modifications to energy conservation and renewable energy projects. Voters approved the measure by a margin of around 72%.

An item allotting $6.8 million in bonds to fund city owned museums, performing arts centers and cultural facilities, including $3 million for improvements at the Albuquerque Museum, passed with around 70% of the vote.

Other bonds will pay for public safety. A measure approved by nearly 74% of voters allots $12.6 million to pay for new vehicles for police, fire rescue and Albuquerque Community Safety, along with equipment and other public safety improvements for the city.

The rest of the bonds approved by voters include $4.5 million for the city’s public libraries, $1.6 million toward public transportation, nearly $9 million to improve the city’s sewer system and $2.5 million for private sector development in Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas throughout the city.