Albuquerque, NM (KKOB)- Phase One of the renovation and other improvements to the 236 acre state fairgrounds was approved by the District Board led by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mayor Tim Keller. On a 6 to 1 vote, with county commissioner Adriann Barboa voting against, $114 million in state money will be allocated for the project which will include a park, housing, traffic improvements, retail stores and a sports stadium. The total plan will be around $200 million. No formal decision was made on whether the fair itself will stay or move from its location. County commissioner Barboa initially asked that the vote be postponed for one more month but that motion didn’t pass,
Mayor Keller proposed that now is the time to begin discussions with New Mexico United about getting a stadium built for the team on the fairgrounds.
Peter Trevisani, owner of New Mexico United is optimisitc. Trevisani released a statement after the vote and says he’s encouraged by the State Fairgrounds Board taking an important step towards a comprehensive master plan that includes the potential for a stadium. Adding, that this is a public process, and it should be, because the future of this site belongs to the entire state and the surrounding community.
Residents and businesses around the International District have raised concerns about increased traffic and insufficient parking for a sports stadium.
