Judge rejects legal challenge of Balloon Fiesta Park site for New Mexico United stadium

A judge on Monday tossed an appeal filed by three neighborhood associations opposing a new stadium for New Mexico United at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Second Judicial District Judge Erin O’Connell ruled Monday that opponents of the Balloon Fiesta Park location failed to demonstrate that they were denied due process.

The Wildflower, Maria Dier and North Edith Corridor neighborhood associations in 2024 appealed Albuquerque’s process that approved a new home for New Mexico United.

Mayor Tim Keller’s administration cheered O’Connell’s ruling in a statement issued Monday and said the ruling clears the path for United to break ground on a new stadium. It didn’t provide a timeline for the project.

“This helps us achieve the highest and best use of the Balloon Fiesta Park,” Keller said in the statement. “This will open the door for a wide variety of community development activities from local high school tournaments to a professional woman’s team to sports tourism.”

New Mexico United has sought a permanent stadium since 2020 to replace its current home at Isotopes Park, home of Albuquerque’s Triple-A baseball team.

An earlier proposal for a new stadium at a Downtown location using bond funding was defeated by voters in 2021.

In 2023, Balloon Fiesta Park was selected as the location for a privately financed stadium on land leased land from the city.

The project was approved by the Environmental Planning Commission in April 2024. The city’s land use hearing officer upheld the decision in July 2024.

Neighbors expressed concerns to the EPC that the stadium would result in noise and light pollution and the impacts on local traffic.

The neighborhood associations appealed the decision to district court after the Albuquerque City Council voted 8-1 to deny their appeal in August 2024.

The plans call for an 8,000- to 10,000-seat stadium with infrastructure provided by the city, and the stadium itself will be funded by New Mexico United, according to the city’s statement.

“No city funding will be used to build the stadium, and United would be required to invest a minimum of $30 million into the site,” it said.