27-02-2025
Public backlash as officials hold meeting on future of Expo New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Bernalillo County held a meeting Wednesday to discuss the future of the State Fairgrounds and to provide information on the proposed Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) that would help fund the future infrastructure on the property. However, the public expressed frustration over the matter, ignoring for the most part the TIDD, asking about whether or not the State Fair will move from Expo New Mexico.
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Last year, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the potential of turning the area into affordable housing and moving the state fair elsewhere. Earlier this month, the county announced it would help by changing the area's tax district.
'This is a big piece of property in the middle of our city and in a part of our city that has seen really historically disinvestment or lack of reinvestment in that area so I think this is a real opportunity to bring some new life into that area new ideas,' said Bernalillo County Commission Chair Eric Olivas at the meeting on February 3.
If approved, it would create the TIDD, which would generate money for infrastructure upgrades at the site like sewer lines and road work. That money would come from gross receipts and property taxes.
With the proposed move of EXPO New Mexico, more than the state fair's location is up in the air. The area is also home to the weekend flea market and Tingley Coliseum, which hosts events like live performances and graduations.
At Wednesday's meeting, officials held the meeting with intentions to discuss the TIDD, saying it would be vital for the future of the area. 'The current trend is not sustainable. We have to do something to rescue our community,' said Martin Chavez, former mayor of Albuquerque and current federal infrastructure adviser to the governor.
The public spoke against not only the TIDD but the proposed move. 'You're just wasting money! Who's pocket is this going into?!', one man asked.
Many in the public spoke out against the move, citing that the large homeless population and crime in the area have driven out other businesses from the neighborhood. 'We have lost Walmart, we have lost Walgreens, we are in a food desert. And you guys talk about doing this, you need to put your money somewhere else!'
Others argued that the funding should be used to help the homeless rather than remove them. 'You have a community of 5,000 homeless people, 55% of which are veterans who've served this country. And this is where our taxpayer money is going. To restructure our fairground or change our fair' said another public commenter.
The county will vote to approve the measure for the tax district at its next meeting on March 3. It then goes to the state for approval. The TIDD would then lead to the development of request for proposal (RFP) masterplan for the future development of the area or if EXPO New Mexico should stay. That process would take six months to complete.
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