Albuquerque Development Thread

[ABQalex]

KRQE is reporting that the New Mexico United may have plans to build its new soccer stadium near Balloon Fiesta Park in the North I-25 area. It says that an official announcement may come next month. They quote team owner Peter Trevisani as pretty much confirming that it will be built near Balloon Fiesta Park. They say that the city will have a media availability today to answer questions about the project.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...dium-location/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The owner of New Mexico United surprised fans with a big announcement. Back in November of 2021, voters rejected a $50 million bond for a city-owned stadium near the rail yards. Since then, the team’s been working on a privately funded stadium – a development that could include condos, shops, and restaurants.

Peter Trevisani, the owner of New Mexico United shared, “I just want to say this we, you know, we got told no on the city bond, and, you know, we didn’t just decide to quit. We said okay, we’re going to keep going.” The crowd wanted an answer to one question – where would the long-awaited soccer stadium go? Trevisani dropped a big hint to fans. “I can’t tell you exactly where it is, but maybe it’s close to something that rhymes with Lagoon Siesta Park,” he said.

If you take a look at the undeveloped land around Balloon Fiesta Park, it’s either owned by the City of Albuquerque, the county, or Sandia Pueblo, which happens to own a lot of land within city limits.

It is unclear at this point if any other locations are being considered for the United stadium. David Wiese-Carl, who is the Director of Communications & Fan Experience at New Mexico United, said, “We’re hoping to have a location on the stadium here pretty soon.”

Over the weekend, New Mexico United unveiled a new jersey for the 2023 season at the fifth annual Black and Yellow Bash. Fans are anticipating the team’s first home match in April. “I love a good season, looking forward to it, yeah we’re going to have a good season,” said Robert Vigil.

United says there could be an announcement in a month about the soccer stadium’s location. KRQE News 13 reached out to the city and was told there will be a media availability tomorrow to answer questions about the stadium. The Sandia Pueblo did not comment when asked if they are selling land in Albuquerque to the United.

Here's the Albuquerque Journal's coverage of a possible stadium for the United at Balloon Fiesta Park. They have even more comments from city officials and official confirmation that there will be a news conference today to discuss the possibility. It's looking like this is indeed going to be the plan and location for the new stadium.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2586420/a...r-stadium.html

It’s been more than a year since Albuquerque voters balked at public funding for a new stadium, but local leaders are still trying to help New Mexico United find a new place to play.

The options now under consideration include Balloon Fiesta Park.

Mayor Tim Keller’s spokeswoman said the city has had ongoing discussions with United “about multiple (stadium) sites that won’t require additional city funds.” That includes city-owned Balloon Fiesta Park in Northeast Albuquerque, where spokeswoman Ava Montoya said there is room to build around/outside of the area that balloons presently use to launch and land.

New Mexico United, an Albuquerque-based professional soccer team, currently shares the city-owned Isotopes Park with the namesake baseball team, but it has pushed for years for a new venue.

A United spokesman said Wednesday the team’s stadium plans remain “a work in progress,” with many details — notably location — still unsettled.

However, David Wiese-Carl, United’s communications director, said the team intends to build the stadium with private funds.

“We heard folks loud and clear, and it’s going to be a privately led stadium,” he said.

If a city site is used, it’s unclear if the land would be donated or leased to the team or if the city would have any ownership stake in the building.

“These details have not been determined yet,” Montoya said in an emailed response to Journal questions.

Wiese-Carl said United’s leadership has considered sites around the metro area, but the vision no longer includes Downtown given the opposition such a location encountered previously.

A city-contracted consultant had in 2021 identified two Downtown-area sites as “preferred” locations when the city pondered building a stadium and then leasing it to United. The consultant estimated that would cost $65 million to $70 million based on those locations and a 2022 construction start.

That plan never came to fruition.

City leaders put a $50 million stadium bond out to voters in 2021, but it was roundly rejected. The bond failed by a 30-point margin.

Though the gross receipts tax-backed bond did not require voter approval, Keller said in 2021 his administration would not pursue the project if the bond failed.

However, the city has millions in funding available for a stadium thanks to state appropriations.

The state has contributed $8.5 million so far, though the city has used about $621,000 to date on the 2021 consultant and planning services for the team’s practice field.

There is another $5 million for the project included in a 2023 state capital outlay bill currently awaiting Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s signature.

“We’re interested in using our state funds for their intended purpose and utilizing city land,” Montoya said in a statement.

City officials have announced a Thursday afternoon news conference at Balloon Fiesta Park to provide “updates about a potential site for (a) new multi-use sports complex.”