NEWS
Governor, local leaders vote to build sports stadium, housing at State Fairgrounds
No decision was made about moving the annual event
Published
Modified
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other local leaders voted Monday to build a sports stadium and mixed-income housing on the southwest corner of the State Fairgrounds.
The vote made no decision about whether the New Mexico State Fair will ultimately move. This development, called Phase One, will see the annual event operating as normal while demolition and construction are underway around it.
The decision came down to a 6-1 vote, with Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa voting against it.
The following board members voted yes: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, City Councilor Nichole Rogers, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, Gov. Lujan Grisham, Rep. Janelle Anyanonu, D-Albuquerque and Peter Belletto, the president of the District 6 Neighborhood Coalition.
Before the vote, Barboa proposed deferring the decision for a month so that the State Fairgrounds District Board could vote on a community benefit agreement first, which sets out requirements for development, such as local hiring.
Lujan Grisham said such a move was “putting the cart before the horse.”
The deferral ultimately failed on a 4-3 vote, leading Barboa to vote no on the phase one planning.
Both Keller and Lujan Grisham suggested that the United soccer team may be interested in the proposed stadium, though nothing is concrete.
This story will be updated.
Gillian Barkhurst is the local government reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.
