Burqueños and the International District moved a step closer to a major Fairgrounds transformation Monday after the state board approved the first phase of a $200 million redevelopment plan that includes a new multipurpose stadium and hundreds of housing units.
The New Mexico State Fairgrounds District Board, chaired by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, approved the Stantec-developed phase A plan to authorize $114 million in state funds at a meeting at the Alice K. Hoppes African American Pavilion. The plan includes 430 housing units, commercial space and community parks. Officials said the money could be available by July 1.
New Mexico United, frustrated by delays approving a stadium project at Balloon Fiesta Park, could likely be the stadium’s primary tenant, with Lujan Grisham noting the team could contribute between $30 million and $40 million toward the project, though no deal has been made. Of the initial state funds, $70 million goes toward the stadium and redevelopment, $30 million toward housing and $14 million toward property acquisition. The first phase is expected to generate a $127 million economic impact, according to Stantec.
Editor’s note: After this story initially published, the NM United shared a statement highlighting their interest in the Fairgrounds stadium location.
The board approved the plan 6-1, with Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa casting the lone dissenting vote. Barboa moved to defer the vote one month, citing a lack of concrete financial specifics, but the motion failed. “I am not against a stadium,” she said. “I want due process. I want community, and I want things that are binding.”
Mayor Tim Keller added a “fail-safe” motion, requiring the board to review any future stadium lease agreements. Meanwhile, City Councilor Nicole Rogers backed Barboa to push for a Community Benefits Agreement. The agreement would set rules for affordable housing, local hiring and small business participation. The board agreed to discuss housing and lease details at its next meeting.
The state will now begin seeking formal bids and partnerships for the developments. Buying the land remains the main hurdle before construction can start, according to Alex Greenberg, acting executive director for the district. The board meets again May 7 to review stadium lease details and housing developers.
