OPINION: Westside Visitors Center is a worthy investment

Years ago, I read about the Tiny Home Village. Various local media reports condemned the project as an unfulfilled promise. I, too, was skeptical from afar. It was true that the restrictions in place made it difficult to fill the 40 or so units and so many sat vacant.

Fast forward to 2025. I recently toured the facility and found it to completely full and operated with a high degree of professionalism and efficiency. The phrase “if only they could see me now” does not adequately describe the programmatic changes and amazing work currently being done there. To know that there is a program that takes people off of the streets and gives them a safe and clean place to live, structure, treatment opportunities and a chance to turn their lives around is awe-inspiring.

Another project that has been under similar scrutiny is the Westside Visitors Center. In fact, a headline of a story read “Politicians sink $13 million in closed New Mexico tourist attraction.” This sounded concerning and I, too, was skeptical about the project. However, like with the Tiny Home Village, I endeavored to educate myself about the facility. As a result, I became familiar with the history, status and the plans. With this additional knowledge and information, I again changed my mind.

The headline, in fact, was not accurate. Politicians did not sink money into a closed attraction; they spent money to open an attraction. It is true that the facility is not currently open, but I am assured and believe that the opening will occur this year. It is also true that $13 million has been spent on the facility over a period of several years. I cannot personally attest to how all the money was spent, but I have been provided with a copy of an external audit that did not identify any inappropriate expenditures. I have personally toured the facility and recently attended an event there. The building is amazing and has tremendous potential. I can also say firsthand that there is widespread community support for the structure and all it has to offer, including housing the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame, a classic car showroom, an event center, a visitor’s center, etc.

I cannot predict the future or make representations that this project will be as successful in a few years as the Tiny Home Village project has been. But I can say that the structure is built and what other options are there but to push forward and to attempt to develop it to its full potential? I can also proudly say that I have dedicated $250,000 from my District 2 Directed Fund Account toward the first-year operation of the facility. (Aren’t all of our parks, community centers, museums, etc., completely or partially subsidized?).

I truly believe that we cannot let fear of public criticism keep us from doing the right thing. If we did, nothing would ever get done, as there will always be criticism of new ideas and projects. I can only hope that in the years ahead, I will be able to reflect back and think, “If only they can see it now.” I strongly believe that will be the case with the Westside Visitor’s Center.