Town Hall Albuquerque

A Discussion on the Proposed Event Center
and Hotel Complex

Overview

When: July 17th
Where: Albuquerque Convention Center
Registration fee: THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT.  Thank you for your interest in this town hall.  Registration is now closed.  The results will be posted in approximately ten business days.  

The city of Albuquerque is considering whether to build a large-scale event and hotel complex for concerts, sporting events, and national trade shows. Should such a project be undertaken? What benefits would it bring the Duke City? What concerns should be addressed? What are the most important questions the people of Albuquerque should be asking now?

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These issues and others were addressed at the Town Hall Albuquerque: A Discussion on the Proposed Event Center and Hotel Complex event held July 17, 2008 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The town hall invited the people of Albuquerque to discuss the possibility of the new event and hotel complex, and encouraged them to come up with questions the city and project leaders must address in the viability assessment.

The event was convened by the nonpartisan, nonprofit New Mexico First and sponsored by the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB). 

Background

The proposed metropolitan redevelopment project would change the face of Albuquerque. It warrants careful consideration, research, and public debate. The City Council recently approved a $700,000 viability and impact assessment to study costs, traffic and infrastructure implications, as well as citizen concerns and priorities. Town Hall Albuquerque will bring citizens together to develop questions to be addressed by the community and the assessment team.

Why should Albuquerque residents care about this town hall? In 2006, domestic travel expenditures in Bernalillo County reached more than $2 billion, accounting for 39.8 percent of the state total. These expenditures generated almost 23,000 jobs and nearly $452 million in payroll income.  Already a highly relevant topic for all New Mexicans, the recent City Council vote has catapulted this economic development issue to the forefront of public consideration by launching the impact study.  

The decision also prompted a change in focus for the New Mexico First town hall. Originally planned as a two-day deliberation on tourism in general, the event became a one day discussion devoted exclusively to the issue of the proposed development complex. Participants discussed the proposed project, identified concerns, and achieved consensus on a list of questions for community leaders and the assessment team.

The assessment will be led by a team of third party researchers coordinated by Hunt Development and Garfield Traub Development. Research will focus on the viability of an event center (currently proposed at 12,000 seats), a headquarter hotel (currently proposed at 450 rooms), and the necessary infrastructure investments that such a large-scale development requires. Wide-scale traffic and safety studies – as well as other research – will be conducted.

Who Attended?

  • Citizens interested in or concerned about the future of Albuquerque and its development
  • Neighborhood associations
  • Business people—particularly in the hospitality industries
  • Public officials
  • Environmentalists
  • Educators
  • Tribal representatives
  • People working in economic development, energy, and transportation  

Town Hall Process

New Mexico First town halls are not typical conferences with hour after hour of presentations. A few guest speakers help set the context, but the bulk of the town hall is comprised of small group discussions among people who care about the topic.

Prior to the town hall, participants received a background report. The report provided valuable information on the town hall topic and it also served as a basis for citizen discussions during the town hall.

Using New Mexico First’s proven consensus-building process, the town hall asked participants to share their best ideas in order to compile a list of questions for the downtown development’s impact assessment. The day began with a presentation on the development plans the assessment will review, followed by a brief panel who offered pros and cons about this project. Then participants were divided into small groups to discuss the issue, eventually achieving consensus on questions they want the assessment and/or city leaders to address.

What Happens After the Town Hall?

The issues addressed at the town hall will not sit on a shelf. The questions from the town hall become part of a report that goes to the city and county leaders, the ACVB, and – importantly – the team conducting the viability assessment.