On December 3, 2024 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, accompanied by Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Mayor Tim Keller and State Fair Commission Chairman Eric Serna and other officials held a news conference at Expo New Mexico. They announced a plan to move the state fairgrounds to a different location and redevelop the 236 acres into a mixed-use development. Among the many ideas suggested for the development of the 236 acres of prime property included low income and affordable housing and demolishing the 60-year-old Tingly Coliseum and building a multipurpose entertainment and sports facility. Recommendations for future land use included commercial retail business development.
The announcement included the release of a Request For Proposal (RFP) that the legislature advanced $500,000 to develop a master plan for the 236-acre cite. The purpose of the Master Plan was to provide a plan to maximize facilities operations year-round, including addressing the needs and growth of the area for the next 10 to 20 years and find other uses for the property itself. The $500,000 Request for Proposals was issued on December 3, 2024 and was to last for 45 days.
No new location was announced during the press conference, but it was suggested that keeping the State Fair centrally located such as in Bernalillo, Valencia or Torrance County would be beneficial due to the interstates. Governor Lujan Grisham said this:
“We have made the decision preliminarily to ask for folks to focus on the center of the state … but there are a lot of spaces. Though Albuquerque is a bit constrained, there are still plenty of opportunities in Bernalillo County. Imagine, if you will, that Valencia County could offer up some interesting proposals, that the South Valley right here in Bernalillo County [could do the same]. Bernalillo County ought to think about where would a new developed platform in space be. Maybe Torrance County, maybe Edgewood and Santa Fe.
New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez said this:
“Sadly, we’ve lost our two grocery stores. We lost to Walmart a couple of years ago. We lost the Fair Square even before then. We’ve lost our two drug stores in the area as well over the last couple of years. This area is in serious need of a jolt of energy. … For the community that lives here, I think folks are ready for a change. And folks are ready for affordable housing.”
State Fair Commission Chair Eric Serna said this:
“Those who have attended the fair recognize that we have outgrown the facilities and property here. It’s time to look at the growth of this fair to continue to be the best fair in the country, and under the governor’s leadership and commission, we will move forward and seek the best possible options for the growth of our fair.”
The announcement to move the Fair Grounds shocked surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. There was a complete failure by the State Fair Commission and the Governor’s Office to reach out to adjoining neighborhoods, property owners and businesses and neighborhood associations to get their thoughts and input on moving the State Fair Grounds.
On February 26, 2025 the state withdrew and cancelled the RFP and announced a new one would be released.
COUNTY COMMISSION PROPOSES THEN REJECTS TIDD FOR STATE FAIR GROUNDS
It was in a January, 2025 meeting that Bernalillo County commissioners voted unanimously to take a vote on establishing a Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) for the State Fair grounds to make infrastructure improvements and repairs to the fairgrounds. The county wanted to enact a TIDD for the entire westside half of the State Fair grounds property excluding the Downs Race Track, the supporting stables and the casino.
On February 26, Bernalillo County Government held a meeting to discuss and provide information on the county’s proposed Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) for the New State Fairgrounds. The public meeting was held at the State Fair Grounds Alice Hopes African American Pavilion with over 200 people attending.
After a very short slide presentation by Bernalillo County Economic Development Director Marcos Gonzales, former Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez, who now works for the Governor as a state-appointed paid advisor spearheading the effort to repurpose the fairgrounds, was asked to respond to questions. Chaves said this before answering questions:
“About six months ago, the governor approached me and said, ‘Look, what’s going on right now in the southeast part of Albuquerque is not sustainable. … You see it every day: the homicides, the unhoused run over, left dead on the street.”
Chavez soon mentioned the possibility of moving the State Fair to another location. The audience reacted in anger to moving the State Fair and issuing the county TIDD financing. The meeting quickly disintegrated into confrontation and angry questioning by the audience. Chavez took the brunt of the criticism as demands were shouted by the audience that the Fair Grounds not be moved. At one point Chavez insisted that no final decision had been made on moving the fairgrounds, suggesting that it was just one of the many options. Chavez said that something needs to be done with the fair grounds and that all the crime and homeless in the area was simply unsustainable and something needed to be done to revitalize the area.
Soon after Chavez spoke, acting Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico General Services Department Anna Silva made the surprise announcement that the state just a few hours before the meeting canceled the Request For Proposals (RFP) to develop a master plan aimed at transforming the fairgrounds. She gave no reason for the cancellation of the RFP.
ANGER IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
The Governor’s proposal of moving the State Fair has been met with opposition from the residents of Albuquerque’s International District, which has dealt with rampant drug use and homelessness in recent years. Most if not all of the public present for the February 26 meeting were very hostile to the State moving the state fair and spoke out against moving the state fair to any other location.
Audience members were given the opportunity to speak after the presentation on the TIDD. Audience members said that the City and the Mayor Keller Administration have been a total failure in cleaning up Central and the city has failed to address the homeless crisis on Central. Audience members argued that before anything is spent on improving or moving the Fair Grounds, money would be better spent cleaning up Central, dealing with the homeless, drug addicted and mentally ill and providing them with services to get them off the streets.
Speakers cast skepticism on their ability to sway the state to not move the State Fair and how the area would be developed. Audience member Paul Losinski said this when given his chance to speak:
“They will have already decided the main framework, so all we can do is decide, do we want high-rise buildings? Or do we want low-rise buildings? We have already lost the ability to have input as to what the RFP was for.”
Another Albuquerque area resident, René Horvath, said moving the fair won’t solve the problems on East Central. Horvath said this:
“LEAVE THE FAIR ALONE, it’s not a problem! I’m going to be heartbroken if they move the fair.”
The public spoke against not only the proposed move but the TIDD. One man asked “You’re just wasting money! Who’s pocket is this going into?!”
Most if not all of 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.
One audience member said this:
“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!”
Other audience members argued that the funding should be used to help the homeless rather than remove them. An audience member said this:
“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?”
On March 11, the Bernalillo County Commission made the decision to withdraw for consideration of the TIDD.
COMMENTARY AND ANALSIS
Simply put, the February 26, Bernalillo County Government meeting to discuss and provide information on the Bernalillo County Commission’s proposed Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) for the New State Fairgrounds was an absolute and utter disaster. It reflected a hapless effort by the Bernalillo County Government as well as the Governor’s representatives Mayor Marty Chavez and Acting General Service Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico General Services Department Anna Silva to explain to the public what was going on.
The fact that the State withdrew the RFP for development of the property just a few hours before the meeting only added to the confusion and the public resentment. The meeting and what was said created an atmosphere of hostility and mistrust when the results should have been to inform and educate the public.
STATE ANNOUNCES CONTRACT TO CREATE MASTER PLAN TO REPURPOSE STATE FAIR GROUNDS
On June 24, in another surprise move to the public, the state General Services Department announced that an $844,433 contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. was entered into by the State to create a master plan for repurposing the 236-acre tract of land that has since 1938 hosted the annual New Mexico State Fair, also known as EXPO New Mexico. The award of the contract came a full four months after the state abruptly canceled the previous RFP contract solicitation without explanation and restarted the process.
Acting GSD Secretary Anna Silva did not mention the reasons for the cancellation of the previous Request for Proposals. However in a statement on the issuance of the new RFP she said the State Fair would remain a “vital economic and cultural asset” for generations an said this:
“Through this master planning process, we will identify innovative and forward-thinking ideas which will help us reimagine the future of this great state event.”
Though the contract was yet to be released, Lujan Grisham hinted at the fairgrounds’ future during a June 23 news conference at the Western Governors’ Association meeting in Santa Fe. Governor Lujan Grisham said the master plan could eventually call for leasing or selling portions of state-owned Expo New Mexico to private developers. The Governor said this:
“That master planner’s job will be to engage the public in what they’re planning for at that property specifically”.
FORMER ALB MAYOR MARTY CHAVEZ SUPPORTS GOVERNOR’S EFFORTS
Former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez said he supports Governor Lujan Grisham’s relocating the fair and redeveloping the site, but emphasized that any decisions must be rooted in data. Chavez said this:
“The governor wants to move the fair. I agree with her. … But it needs to be data driven. Hopefully this can be a fact-based, fact-driven decision.”
Chavez said the governor envisions a “transformational redevelopment” of the Expo New Mexico property, one that could inject billions of dollars and create new jobs in the area. If the fair is moved, one possibility being explored is building a $400 million arena to host concerts, events and potentially professional sports, but he did not say specifically if and where it would be built or if it would replace Tingly Coliseum. Chavez said this
“As the governor says, it’s time to think big. Let’s dream. Maybe it’s a sports team we attract. Maybe it’s a mixed-use, walkable neighborhood. But she wants to see the data first.”
Chavez said all options remain on the table, including reimagining the current fairgrounds without relocating the fair. Chavez said this:
“If the fair stays, can you still bring in new development? Reimagine what a modern New Mexico State Fair might look like.”
While it’s not a done deal for the state fair to move, at least one town is interested in hosting it. Los Lunas officials are pitching a site off of I-25 as the ideal location.
The link to a relied upon news source is here:
ABOUT STANTEC
General Services Department spokesperson Joe Vigil said the contract for the development of a master plan for repurposing the 236-acre tract of State Fair land was signed June 18. The signing followed a public procurement process and the contract spans the next eight months extending until February, 2026. The master plan will include an economic impact study, development plans and a proposal presentation.
Santec is a multinational consulting firm headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with four local offices in New Mexico. This contract isn’t Stantec’s first in New Mexico. The company previously worked with the Department of Transportation to revamp roads and highways in Silver City, Hobbs and Fort Sumner. Stantec also worked with the city of Jal in the southeast corner of New Mexico to produce a community development plan.
Stantec’s portfolio includes major projects across the United States and abroad, such as McGregor Square in downtown Denver, a vibrant entertainment district next to Coors Field, and community spaces in Chicago designed for live concerts, film screenings and outdoor markets. The firm has also worked on developments in Scotland, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Governor Lujan Grisham said though the existing state fair site is slated for redevelopment, some historic buildings will be preserved as a part of the master plan. General Services Department spokesperson Joe Vigil said a new site for the State Fair is yet to be announced, though the plan will “make recommendations on the best course of action to determine that (location).”
LEGISLATURE ENACTS “STATE FAIR GROUNDS” DISTRCIT
Once the development of a master plan is completed by Stantec, the Governor and state leaders are expecting a new funding model passed by the Legislature this year to cover costs. On March 21, the day before the March 22 adjournment, the New Mexico legislature passed Senate Bill 481, which creates what is known as the “State Fairgrounds District” which redistricted the area, slightly raised local income taxes and authorized the state to issue revenue bonds. The bill was subsequently signed into law by the governor, and its funding mechanisms are expected to raise $12 million for initial ramp-up efforts, Lujan Grisham said this week.
Senate Bill 481 creates a “State Fairgrounds District” for the 236-acre State Fairgrounds located North of Central Avenue, South of Lomas, East of San Pedro and West of Louisiana and any additional land adjoining it nearby the state may acquire. The legislation empowers the board to issue bonds up to $1billion with the pledge to repay those bonds with Gross Receipt Tax (GRT) from GRT and Gaming Tax with maturity of up to 25 years for the bonds.
The State Fairgrounds District fund would receive “net receipts attributable to the GRT from business locations on the state fairground once it is developed to include other year round businesses on the property. The State Fairgrounds District fund would receive “net receipts attributable to gaming tax from business locations on land owned by the state fairgrounds”.
In addition to classifying the area as a “state district”, SB481 creates a board to make financial decisions, including the ability to issue revenue bonds of up to $1 billion to development of the property. SB481 establishes what is known as the “State Fairgrounds District” which consists of a Board to oversee and govern it and to make appropriations for development of the property. The Board members are the following:
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
- Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller
- Senate Prom Temp Mimmi Stewart who represents the International District
- State Representative Janelle Anyanonu who represents the area the fair is located
- City Councilor Nichole Rogers whose city council district the fair grounds is located
- County Commissioner Adriann Barboa whose County Commission District the fair grounds is located
- Peter Belletto, President, District 6 Neighborhood Coalition
NOTICE OF “STATE FAIRGROUNDS DISTRICT” MEETING
On Thursday, July 3, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon the “State Fairgrounds District” Board will be holding its first organization meeting at the State Fair Grounds Alice Hopes African American Pavilion. The meeting is open to the public. The major agenda items includes the following:
- Adoption of Bylaws,
- Adoption of Procurement Code and Procedures
- Authorizing the hiring of a director and administrative support person
- Presentation on the history of SB 481, bond capacity of District and how it is to be exercised and considered
- Report from the General Services Department on the Master Plan and RFP Process
- Introduction by Stantec Report from Secretary of Transportation Ricky on the status of acquisition of properties authorized by the legislature
- Report from State Fair Manager Dan Mourning on status of placing certain buildings on the New Mexico Historic Register
The link to review the entire agenda is here:
Residents of the surrounding area of the State Fair Grounds and of the International District and neighborhood associations of the area are encouraged to attend the July 3 meeting.
NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR COMMISSION
The New Mexico State Fair is a statutorily created commission that is appointed by the Governor. The New Mexico State Fair Commission is responsible for organizing and managing the annual New Mexico State Fair. Its main purpose is to promote the state’s agricultural, horticultural, stock raising, mining, mechanical, and industrial pursuits. The commission has broad powers to achieve this, including setting the fair’s dates and hours, managing its property, and overseeing its financial affairs. The commission is responsible for the care and maintenance of the state fairgrounds and buildings. The commission can acquire property for the fairgrounds, including buildings, structures, and equipment. The commission can hire and fire staff, determine their compensation, and assign their duties and appoint a state fair manager. The state fair commission is also responsible the lease of the State Fair grounds race track and casino.
https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-16/article-6/section-16-6-4/
The current members of the New Mexico State Fair Commission are:
- Eric Serna – Chairman
- Benny Roybal – Secretary-Treasurer
- Carol Cloer
- Larry Chavez Sr.
- Walter Adams.
Dan Mourning is the General Manager of Expo New Mexico, which hosts the New Mexico State Fair. He has held this position for 13 years.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Confidential sources and lobbyist have confirmed that it was Speaker of the House Javier Martinez who orchestrated the last-minute enactment of SB481 on March 21, 2025, the day before the session adjourned, which created the “State Fairgrounds District”. The passage of SB481 was done at the insistence of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and because of her announced goal on December 3, 2024 to move the fairgrounds.
Governor Lujan Grisham has yet to back off in any meaningful way and to any extent on her original announcement made on December 3, 2024 that her plan is to move the state fairgrounds to a different location. Ostensibly her ultimate goal is the redevelopment and the total repurposing of the 236 acres into a mixed-use development which would also include low-income housing. Selling portions of the property is also on the table for discussion. What is very disappointing is that the other elected officials consisting of the Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Senate Prom Temp Mimmi Stewart and Mayor Tim Keller are going along with her thoughts of using the property for low income housing. Surprisingly, Mayor Tim Keller went so far to suggest the Fair Grounds be moved and perhaps to Balloon Fiesta Park.
Absent is any decision exactly where the new fairgrounds will go nor the cost of acquiring a new location and rebuilding comparable facilities. No new location was announced during the December press conference, but it was suggested that keeping the State Fair centrally located such as in Bernalillo, Valencia or Torrance County would be beneficial due to the interstates. Over the years there have been at least 3 feasibility studies on relocating the fair. One study concluded the cost would be in excess of $1 billion dollars.
The “State Fairgrounds District” essentially ignores the State Fair Commission and its authority of development and continued operation of the State Fair. There is absolutely no representation on the State Fairground District from the State Fair Commission nor the General Manager of Expo New Mexico. The blunt reality is the State Fair Commission will no doubt take a “back seat” to all the efforts by the “State Fairgrounds District” to move the fair grounds in order to accommodate the Governor’s wishes and after all it’s the Governor who appoints the State Fair Commission and heaven forbid they oppose her.
It is truly disgusting there is only ONE appointed member of the public appointed to the “State Fairgrounds District” by the Governor to represent the interests of the numerous neighborhood associations while all the elected officials for the area have a seat at the table with the Governor. Thousands of residents who have lived in the area for decades, in establishment neighborhoods and who truly understand the area are essentially being ignored and cut out of the process. Hundreds of affected businesses in the area are also being ignored.
EDITOR’S FULL DISCLOSURE: In the interest of full disclosure, the author and editor was born and raised in Albuquerque, has lived directly North of the State Fair Grounds since 1985 and has raised a family there and for over 40 years has seen and experienced what has happened to the area and the Fairgrounds.
The creation of the “State Fairgrounds District” can only be described as a power move by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to impose her own will on what she thinks needs to done with the New Mexico State Fair property and be damned the thoughts and concerns of citizens of Albuquerque and the State Fair Commission. It’s painfully obvious the Governor is rushing seek to complete a last-minute legacy project she will be remembered for as her term expires in a mere 18 months.
EFFORTS TO ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING
During the Governor’s December 3 press conference announcing plans to move the state fairgrounds, it was pointed out that there is a major shortage of affordable housing in the city and a need for 55,000 houses or living spaces within the next decade. Both Governor Lujan Grisham and Speaker of the House Javier Martinez suggested that affordable housing could be placed on 236 acres of land.
Proposing to commandeer a good portion of the Expo NM State Fair Property for affordable housing is as absurd as it gets. Affordable or low-income housing is not the highest and best use of any portion of the 236 acres of prime property for development in the center of Albuquerque. It would put a small dent in a projected 55,000 shortage of housing.
The Governor and the Speaker of the House know better. the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) is already taking major steps to address the need for more affordable housing over the next 10 years and accessing low-cost capital for home ownership in New Mexico cities and counties. The MFA administers hundreds of millions of dollars each year among 40 programs that range from homeless services to homeownership. It includes new housing, down payment assistance and home rehabilitation.
At its May and June meetings last year, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority Board of Directors approved a $50 million allocation, along with the $34.6 million in state fiscal year 2025 severance tax bond funding. The breakdown includes:
- $26.6 million to create more housing.
- $20 million for down payment assistance.
- $10 million to preserve existing affordable housing.
- $1 million to create stable housing environments.
- $27 million in reserve to use based on particular demands.
BUILDING A NEW MULTI PURPOSE ARENA
One major project that was being suggested in the original RFP withdrawn that merits serious discussion is building a new arena as part of the redevelopment of the existing Expo New Mexico property. The new venue would be a modern arena that would have the capacity to support year-round large-scale concerts and events. It would replace the existing Tingley Coliseum. Demolishing the 60-year-old Tingly Coliseum and building a multipurpose entertainment and sports facility with the capacity of upwards 20,000 has been a dream of many a Governor, State Fair Commissions and Fair Managers.
Tingley Coliseum was built in 1957 and has a capacity for 11,000 peopl. Over the years it’s been repeatedly remodeled and upgraded. Tingley Coliseum last year had $2 million worth of upgrades geared toward replacing old seats and fixing the electrical system. The work that began in November permanently removed the benches and outdated 80’s-era seats for new, wider ones. In the process, the coliseum lost roughly 700 of its total 10,000 seats, but officials plan to make up the loss with more standing-room availability.
The City of Albuquerque for decades has needed a large capacity, multipurpose entertainment venue after demolition of the 30 year old Albuquerque Civic Auditorium in 1986. It was back on February 25, 2019 that it was reported that there is a need for such a facility and EXPO New Mexico was in the final stages of conducting a feasibility study on the construction of a new arena on the state fairgrounds. Absolutely nothing ever happened with the feasibility study and its likely collecting dust somewhere in the State Fair mangers office.
https://www.krqe.com/news/officials-want-to-build-new-arena-on-state-fairgrounds/
https://www.krqe.com/news/expo-new-mexico-looking-into-new-arena-to-replace-tingley-coliseum/
HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF PROPERTY IS EXPO NEW MEXICO
Expo New Mexico can be revitalized into an Entertainment and Commercial Hub that could revitalize the entire SE Heights and surrounding area with creation of all new commercial property areas leased by the State Fair for shops, restaurants, theaters and entertainment venues that would also be used for operations of the annual State Fair and during the State Fair itself.
There should be no affordable housing and no other housing on the property. No portion of the State Fair acreage should be sold to any developer. The existing walls along San Pedro, Lomas and Louisiana should remain intact for security reasons but develop larger entrances. Efforts to revitalize adjoining neighborhoods would only be undertaken by private developers perhaps with state and city development and tax incentives.
CITY NEEDS TO TAKE AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO DEAL NUISANCE PROPERTIES AND UNHOUSE AROUND FAIR GROUNDS
The City of Albuquerque must and can as it has in the past take aggressive action to deal with nuisance properties that are magnets for crime in the immediate surrounding neighborhoods, especially in the International District. Mayor Tim Keller needs to aggressively enforce the city’s vagrancy laws to deal with the homeless, including making arrests if need be and to provide services to them designed to get them off the streets.
From 2001 to 2009, East Central in the International District was in fact cleaned up before by the Safe City Strike Force with aggressive code enforcement action against Central motels and violent bars that the city tore down or closed. The bars located near the State Fair that were closed or torn down by the Safe City Strike Force included the Blue Spruce Bar (Central and Louisiana), Rusty’s Cork and Bottle (San Pedro and Central) and the Last Chance Bar and Grill (Central and Louisiana). The Safe City Strike Force took code enforcement action against 48 of the 150 motels along central, many neat the State Fair grounds and forced compliance with building codes and mandated repairs to the properties.
ALBUQUERQUE DOWNS RACETRACK AND CASINO
The Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino, along with its stables, occupies upwards half of the state fairgrounds and it is not going anywhere anytime soon given that it has a 25 year lease with 12 years remaining and subject to renewal. Governor Lujan Grisham said this:
“There is a long term lease that is not expiring in the next two years, four or six. So for now, I would expect that the racino stays for a large amount of time.”
Prominent Albuquerque businessman Paul Blanchard is one of the owners of the Downs Race Track and Casino and there is no doubt he will try and have major say on what is to be developed on the remaining fairgrounds areas that may affect the casino or racetrack. But the Fair Grounds is still state property that the state can develop as it sees fit. Perhaps its the racetrack and casino that needs to be moved to another location and county with a buyout, but not the Fair Grounds.
OTHER VENUES
Getting rid of the “midway” ride area on the South side and replacing it with year-round entertainment venues and facilities is in order. Demolishing existing, aging specialty exhibition halls, such as the Manuel Lujan building and livestock exhibition stables and replacing them with new, larger facilities with multipurpose usages likewise is in order. Removing the flea market and replacing it with a Farmers Market or a permanent arts and crafts shopping area should be in the mix.
There are two major facilities that could be integral parts of an entertainment and commercial district hub: the Downs Race Track and Casino if they want to still be a part of the State Fair and the proposed new multipurpose arena. Part of the redevelopment of the existing Expo New Mexico property would be the building of a new, modern arena to replace Tingly Coliseum that would support year-round large-scale concerts and events. It’s a capital improvement project that needs to go forward. With the continuing historical state revenue surpluses, the building of a multipurpose state of the art arena to replace Tingly Coliseum would be an investment for future generations.
FINAL COMMENTARY
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Speaker of the House Javier Martinez and Senate Pro Temp Mimi Stewart and the elected officials and politicians on the “State Fairgrounds District” board need to keep their greedy little hands off the State Fair grounds and abandon any effort to move it. Affordable housing is not the highest and best use for the property. The highest and best use of the 236 acres of property is the State Fair itself and keeping it as Expo New Mexico and developing a year-round Entertainment District and to preserve the New Mexico State Fair and Expo New Mexico where it is now.