United soccer stadium proposal clears hurdle, goes to City Council for Monday vote

New Mexico United’s quest to build a permanent home cleared another hurdle Thursday as the Albuquerque Environmental Planning Commission approved the proposal for a privately funded multi-use stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park.

The EPC, which considers environmental impact along with such factors as lighting, noise, traffic and parking, approved the proposal by an 8-1 vote.

United officials hope Thursday’s vote was a step toward gaining final Albuquerque City Council approval for the stadium project. Councilors last month deferred a decision in order to get questions answered and “feel more comfortable” with the proposed lease agreement.

“Hopefully the EPC review answers some of those questions,” United Director of Communications David Wiese-Carl said. “We feel like this was a big, big step.”

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the lease agreement at its upcoming meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. Monday.

According to the lease agreement, the stadium would be constructed on the site of a current parking lot on the east side of Balloon Fiesta Park. United would be required to invest a minimum of $30 million in initial construction costs and pay $35,000 in the first year (with an annual 2% increase) of a renewable 30-year lease.

The city, in return, would agree to finance on-site utilities including electricity and bathrooms, some of which have been proposed as Balloon Fiesta Park improvements with or without construction of a stadium.

United Owner/President/CEO Peter Trevisani said the club has been meeting with neighbors, Balloon Fiesta and city officials to build consensus on the project and minimize potential environmental and neighborhood issues. He said Thursday’s vote is a reflection of those meetings.

“The Commission’s recognition of that hard work is an indication that this project truly serves all of New Mexico,” Trevisani said in a club statement.

Wiese-Carl said meetings with neighborhood residents and Balloon Fiesta officials will continue if the project is approved.

“That’s when the fun part begins in terms of designing the stadium and making it something everyone can be proud of,” he said. “Even if the City Council passes the proposal, our work with the neighborhoods and community members is not done. It’s just getting started.”

Monday’s City Council vote is crucial for United, which currently plays home matches at Isotopes Park under a sub-lease arrangement. That agreement runs through next season but will not serve as a long-term solution.

The USL Championship, the league in which United competes, has mandated that its franchises have permanent soccer-only stadium arrangements in place by 2026. Franchises unable to secure stadium deals will likely be relocated or forced to fold, as USLC member San Diego Loyal did at the end of the 2023 season.