On December 3, 2024 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans to move the New Mexico state fairgrounds to a different location and redevelop the 236 acre State Fair property into a mixed-use development. Among the many ideas suggested for the development of the 236 acres of prime property include low income and affordable housing and commercial retail business development.
On March 21, in response to the Governor’s announcement to redevelop or move the state fair, the New Mexico legislature passed legislation creating the “State Fairgrounds District,” a governing board which has redevelopment funding authority over the existing State Fair grounds area. The board has no authority to move the fairgrounds and it will be up to the New Mexico State Fair Commission to make the decision to move the fair grounds. The State Fairgrounds District Board is empowered to raise property taxes and issue up to $500 million in bonds to fund future development of the property, to make improvements to repurpose the property. According to the legislation, the board will govern the development of the district for six years.
Voting members of the State Fairgrounds District governing Board are:
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, chairperson
- Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller
- Senator Mimi Stewart, Senate President Pro-Tempore, International District, #17
- State Representative Janelle Anyanonu whose district the fair grounds is located
- City Councilor Nichole Rogers whose district the fair grounds is located
- County Commissioner Adriann Barboa whose district the fair grounds is located
- Peter Belletto, President, District 6 Neighborhood Coalition
STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC
On June 18, the state General Services Department announced that a $844,433 contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. was entered into by the State for Stantec to create a master plan for repurposing the 236-acre tract of land that has since 1938 hosted the annual New Mexico State Fair. Stantec has agreed to develop a master that will make suggestions for the land’s use. According to the Governor’s Office the master plan is expected to be completed by next spring. Once approved, work on the project could begin next year and be completed by fall 2029.
Stantec 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.
FOURTH MEETING OF STATE FAIRGROUNDS DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD
On October 30, the State Fairgrounds District governing board met for the fourth time. The meeting was chaired by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. On the agenda were the following two major items:
- A presentation by Stantec on three separate development concepts strictly for the eight-acre area Southwest corner consisting of private property and existing businesses to be acquired by the state for development. The private property to be acquired is bordered by San Pedro street on the West, Central street on the South, the paved Midway area to the north and existing State Fair parking area to the East. The plans call for the elimination of the parking lot area with roughly 1,500 spaces that’s typically used by fair attendees, along with the demolition of some existing structures.
EDITORS NOTE: It was during the September 22 meeting of the State Fair District Board that it approved spending of up to $22.5 million to acquire an eight-acre area on the southeast corner at San Pedro and Central bordering the fairgrounds. The private property is about 17 parcels and 13 condominium units and businesses.
- A Resolution Approving the Adoption of the District Redevelopment plan.
“PRE-DEVELOPMENT DRAFT CONCEPTS” ENVISION 10 ACRE PARK AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Stantec designer Nancy Locke made the presentation on the three “pre-development draft concepts” to the State Fair District Board. It was stressed the designs are preliminary and subject to change based on the public’s input at upcoming meetings. Stantec does not take a stance on the key issue of whether the state fair will remain at its current location.
The three design concepts Stantec presented to the State Fair District Board open up the site with green space, parks and amenities, including an arena or other large community venue, along with an unspecified number of mixed-income housing units, including affordable housing, rental units and residential home units. The design also includes “traffic-calming” measures along Central and San Pedro, including more crosswalks, pedestrian-activated streetlights and at least one more stoplight to slow traffic down.
The intersections on both sides of the fairgrounds, where Central Avenue crosses San Pedro Drive and Louisiana Boulevard, are the two most dangerous intersections in New Mexico for pedestrians, according to state Transportation Department data. Forty-two crashes involving pedestrians occurred at those two intersections in 2024.
All three of concept plans focused on redevelopment plans strictly for the 49-acre tract in the southwest corner of the State Fairgrounds which is along Central Avenue and San Pedro Drive. The property to be developed includes a 14-acre parcel of land the State Fairgrounds District Board voted to purchase for $22.3 million in its September meeting.
During past presentations to the State Fair District Board, Stantec presenters have said people living around the New Mexico State Fair grounds in the heart of Albuquerque should start imagining the 236-acre state-owned site, now mostly covered in asphalt and concrete and surrounded with tall stucco walls, with open green space, inviting entrances, a park and a pond and affordable housing and entertainment areas. All three concept plans essentially dove tail into the vision articulated by Stantec that they claim are the result of public outreach and input.
All three of the preliminary concept plans include a park and Central and San Pedro edge improvements. All three plans include major mixed use development to include affordable housing. All three plans include what was referred to by Stantec as “opportunities and catalytic elements to support a vibrant district.”
Concept 1 and 2 of the conceptual designs for the area feature a new sports stadium or arena, along with new park areas. Other proposed options include a mixed-use commercial center, a cultural arts facility and a new hotel.
The predevelopment plan identified as the Concept 3 Plan appears to be the most radical of the 3 plans because it calls for a 10 acre park in the center and other public areas in the center of the redevelopment area and pedestrian-friendly upgrades. There would be four gateways or entrances: one on San Pedro, one on Central, the State Fair main gateway entrance and the Event Parking entrance. There would be an entertainment hub area and a “mixed use residential area evenly distributed.”
Concept 3 calls for the elimination of a parking lot with roughly1,500 spaces that’s typically used by fair attendees, along with the demolition of some existing structures. The predevelopment plan that includes the 10 acre public park with green spaces includes pedestrian-friendly upgrades along the boundary of the Fairgrounds. The planned park will include stormwater management, plazas, trails, play areas and restrooms.
STATE FAIR DISTRICT BOARD OKS $67M IN INFRASTRUCTURE
On October 30, the State Fairgrounds District Governing Board unanimously voted to give initial approval for spending for the project’s early phases, including $16 million for demolition and land preparation, $27 million for internal roadways and utilities, $19 million for a 10-acre park and $6 million for “off-site” pedestrian safety improvements.
The $67 million the board authorization includes $6 million in “off-site” improvements detailed in the pre-development concepts, money that could go to the pedestrian safety measures. It includes $2 million for intersection improvements, $2.6 million for sidewalk and landscape improvements and $140,000 to improve the existing bus stops there.
The money to pay for the infrastructure improvements would come from bonds backed by future gross receipts tax revenue. A bill approved during this year’s 60-day legislation session created the new State Fairgrounds District and empowered the governmental subdivision to issue up to $500 million in bonds.
While the board authorized the $67 million in bonding capacity for infrastructure, spending that money is still a good way off. The Legislature must approve the funding during the 2026 Legislative session when it convenes in January for it 30 day session. Once the legislature approves the funding, the state Finance Board will issue the bonds at a later date.
The funding for up to the $433 million in remaining bonding capacity the Legislature gave the Fair District Board will come in subsequent phases. Governor Lujan Grisham and state Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (D-Albuquerque) said they might seek even more funding for the project during the January legislative session.
BOARD REACTION TO PLANS
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said this about the concept plans
“[The neighborhood is overdue for update]. … It just never got what it deserves to be a meaningful community that reflects the people who live there who have always deserved this level of prioritization and support.”
Albuquerque City Councilor Nicole Rogers said the plans are a great start, going in the right direction for her district. Rogers said this:
“This is stuff that we can do right away, regardless of what happens with the fair, if it stays or goes. Community wants green space, the community wants better pedestrian safety around the fair, and we need to lower the heat index.”
Dr. Peter Belletto, president of the District 6 Neighborhood Coalition, said this:
“The State Fairgrounds District Board has taken the first step to transform the southeastern District 6 into a thriving economic hub. This action will drive public investment, job growth and small business development.”
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the unanimous vote of the State Fairgrounds District Board shows broad support for revitalizing both the fairgrounds and the surrounding neighborhood. The Governor said this:
“I look forward to continued community discussion and work on this vitally important project.”
During the October 30th meeting of the State Fair District Board, Governor Lujan Grisham said she’d like to see the project break ground before she leaves office at the end of next year. She asked Stantec designer Nancy Locke who made the presentation on the three development concepts if that was possible and Locke said:
“We’ll have to move fast.”
Community members are encouraged to visit the District website, www.fairgroundsdistrict.nm.gov, which includes an FAQ section and a Resource Library, as well as a community survey that will be open until mid-November.
The next meeting of the State Fairgrounds District Board is scheduled for December 11.
Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/predeveloment-plan-approved-for-state-fairgrounds/
https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_d45c7360-88b9-4a7d-87b1-f665f1ccfb0e.html
https://sourcenm.com/2025/10/30/new-nm-state-fair-board-oks-67m-in-infrastructure/
https://www.kanw.org/new-mexico-news/2025-10-30/new-nm-state-fair-board-oks-67m-in-infrastructure
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/predeveloment-plan-approved-for-state-fairgrounds/
STRONG OPPOSITION TO MOVING STATE FAIR
Governor Lujan Grisham’s proposal to moving the state fair has been met with strong opposition from area residents of Albuquerque’s International District, which has dealt with rampant and rising drug use and homelessness in recent years. The development may mean the annual State Fair will need to be moved.
The proposed redevelopment has proven controversial with residents in the International District who say that they are concerned the funding will do little to help the neighborhood, will uproot the historic annual State Fair and will, like past efforts at fairgrounds redevelopment, be a flop.
On February 26, Bernalillo County Government held meeting to discuss and provide information on a proposed Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) for the New State Fairgrounds. Upwards of 200 residents attended. 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 another location.
Audience members were given the opportunity to speak after the presentation on the proposed Tax Increment District (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.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
It was downright laughable, very misleading and very disingenuous for Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to say the “unanimous vote” of the State Fairgrounds District Board showed “broad support” for revitalizing both the fairgrounds and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Governor’s remarks are akin to Linda Richman, played by Mike Myers on Saturday Night Live, saying “I’m a little verklempt” then saying “Talk amongst yourselves.” The Governor and State Fair Board are only talking amongst themselves and Stantec and only about what is in the best interests and needs of the International District and not EXPO New Mexico.
The blunt truth is that the 7 member State Fair District Board is not at all reflective of all the “surrounding neighborhoods”. The is no representation for the West, North and East neighborhoods and business of the fairgrounds that will no doubt be impacted. Five out of the seven State Fair District Board members are the elected officials and the neighborhood coalition representative for the International District. Those five are only interested in what can be done for the International District by using the fairgrounds.
Thousands of residents who have lived in the areas West, North and East of the Fair Ground for decades, in established neighborhoods and who truly understand the area are essentially being ignored and cut out of the process. Hundreds of affected businesses in the same areas are also being ignored and are not represented on the State Fair District board.
The neighborhoods to the North and the West have virtually no representation on the board with the Governor while residents of the other areas are relegated to trying to make their opinions known to the board who take no public comments or questions during their meetings.
USING STATE FAIR GROUNDS IS NO PANACEA TO SOLVE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ILLS OF HIGH CRIME AND HOMELESS
The State Fair is not the problem when it comes to crime, the unhoused and business development in the International District. Notwithstanding, the State Fairgrounds redevelopment is being promoted by the Governor and her appointed State Fair District Board as being some great panacea to solve those very problems of crime, the homeless and lack of affordable housing in the International District.
The Fair Grounds cannot be characterized as the cause or as a magnet for crime within the International District. No statistics have been presented to the State Fair board on the extent of crime that occurs on the State Fairgrounds itself. No discussion has been held or proof offered as to what extent the State Fair grounds is responsible for crime in the International District.
The International District, which is bordered by Central South of the State Fairgrounds has had for decades some of the highest violent crime, property crime and drug offense rates, so much so that it was at one time referred to as the WAR ZONE. The International District continues to be plagued by high crime rates but now has become a magnet for the homeless with encampments constantly popping up and cleaned up by the city only to pop up again.
Crime and the unhoused is what is destroying private investment, job growth and small business development in the International District.
After all the millions are spent to redevelop the fairgrounds, to improve infra structure and traffic flow, building a park, adding public spaces and allowing businesses and low income housing, the problems of high crime rates and the unhoused will remain the same in the International District because they have never been solved for decades. No businesses will want to relocate to the State Fair grounds after it is developed into commercial property, and it will become a magnet for crime and for the homeless.
ACQUIRE AND REDEVELOP VACANT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN INTERNATIOAL DISTRICT
Businesses have shut down in the International District because of crime and the homeless, so much so that the area has become a “food dessert” and major retail outlets such as the Walmart Super Center, the CVS and Walgreens pharmacies have closed, and the commercial properties are vacant and for sale. Development of affordable housing or subsidized housing within the existing neighborhoods South and East of the fairgrounds and in the International District itself is where the development is needed and not on the State Fair grounds property.
Rather than salivating over existing State Fair property to convert it into affordable or low-income housing or commercial property, the Governor and her board should seek the state, the Mortgage Finance Authority, or even the city, to acquire vacant commercial properties that are actually within the International District for redevelop into low-income housing or grocery stores. Examples of such acquisitions would be the massive vacant Walmart Super Center on San Mateo South of Central and north of Zuni which could be used for low income housing development. The vacant CVS pharmacy at Louisiana and Central is currently in foreclosure by the city for outstanding liens and the vacant Walgreens’s pharmacy at San Mateo and Central is for sale and both could easily be remodeled and used for area grocery stores.
Such acquisitions and rededications would dove tale into the multiple conversions around the city of commercial properties into affordable housing such as the 15 story and 10 story buildings at San Mateo and Central. There are also vacant properties directly East of the fair grounds and the race track and casino that could be acquired for development.
FIXATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSEING BY BOARD AND STANTEC
Efforts to address “affordable housing” continue to be a major target and goal for the State Fairgrounds District Board and were a very big part of the presentations made to the board by Stantec and the three redevelopment plans for the property. Proposing to commandeer a good portion of the Expo NM State Fair Property for affordable housing is as absurd as it gets.
The term affordable housing is about as misleading as it gets. It is a term often used by politicians, elected officials and developers to promote their own personal or political agendas. Simply put construction costs are consistent when it comes to housing and in today’s market are extremely high as are existing housing costs. When the term “affordable housing” is used by the politicians, elected officials and developer’s, what is usually meant is “subsidized government housing”.
Affordable housing or subsidized housing for low-income income earners 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 the projected shortage of housing. Efforts for such use for the State Fair grounds should be abandoned in that it would impair the overall goal and development of the property for projects that benefit the entire community as a whole and for public use.
CITY NEEDS TO TAKE AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO DEAL NUISANCE PROPERTIES AND UNHOUSED 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 near the State Fair grounds and forced compliance with building codes and mandated repairs to the properties.
BUILDING A NEW MULTI PURPOSE ARENA
One major project that is being suggested 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 seating capacity for 11,000 people. 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 collecting dust somewhere in the State Fair manger’s office.
HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF PROPERTY IS EXPO NEW MEXICO
The highest and best use of property is Expo New Mexico. Expo New Mexico can be revitalized into an Entertainment and Commercial Hub 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. There should be no affordable housing and no other housing on the state fair property. No portion of the State Fair acreage should be sold to any developer.
The development of an Entertainment and Commercial Hub must include a major effort undertaken to revitalize neighborhoods to the South and East of the Fair Grounds in the International District itself undertaken by private developers perhaps with state and city development and tax incentives to build subsidize housing.
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, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, Senate Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, State Representative Janelle Anyanonu, City Councilor Nichole Rogers and County Commissioner Adriann Barboa who are 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 or dedicate it for affordable housing. Simply put, the surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and their constituents want the State Fair to remain where it is.
Governor Lujan Grisham has said she’d like to see the project break ground before she leaves office at the end of next year. This lends credence to her rushing things for the sake of her being able to have a legacy project.
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.
The links to related articles are here: