State, county take step toward redeveloping State Fair site into a housing, business corridor

With hopes from the governor to find a new location for the State Fair, the land it currently uses could be up for grabs. If that ends up being the case, the county is eyeing a redevelopment tool to help revitalize the area.

County commissioners Tuesday night unanimously approved a resolution that could create a Tax Increment Development District, or TIDD, at the site of the state fair.

TIDDs are a financial tool to support economic development and create jobs by using taxes generated in the respective area.

Nothing's set in stone yet; the county's resolution simply establishes “the intent of the Bernalillo County Commission to form the State Fair Grounds Tax Increment Development District,” according to a memo attached to the agenda item. A final vote establishing the area as a TIDD is set for March 11.

“This is an exciting investment, and we want to make sure we get it right,” said Commission Vice Chair Adriann Barboa, who represents the area.

The county's move comes nearly two months after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, joined by other state and local leaders, announced a plan to move the State Fair and use the land instead for commercial and residential use.

Expo New Mexico, the location where the State Fair has taken place for the last 87 years, is in the Intentional District, an area with some of the worst poverty and homelessness in the city.

Barboa at the commission meeting reminded the public and commissioners that nothing is set in stone when it comes to the future of the state fairgrounds.

"The master plan and (request for proposal) process is to study all the opportunities for what might be best for this community, whatmight be best for the region, the area,” she said.

The county's deadline for development proposals passed last week. The selection of finalists is set for Friday.

“It's not my neighborhood, but I don't live too far from there," said Commission Chair Eric Olivas. "… This is a big piece of property in the middle of our city and a part of our city that has seen, really, historically disinvestment or lack of reinvestment in that area. So I think this is a real opportunity to bring some new life to that area and new ideas."