ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A decision on Monday night could have a big impact on the future of the controversial Albuquerque soccer stadium plans. After the city’s Planning Commission approved the plans, concerned residents are still fighting to stop the stadium.
Neighbors who live near the site of the proposed United Soccer Stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park have been pushing back against the plans since last year. One neighborhood association spokesperson said the process has been long and agonizing.
“Once you pull a trigger on a firearm, you can’t bring the bullet back, and that’s what we’re faced with here is once this goes in, there’s never going anything back,” stated Marie Diers Neighborhood Association Vice President Pat Hauser.
City environmental planners approved the initial stadium proposal in November of last year. However, the plans drew criticism from surrounding neighborhoods, who raised concerns about noise, light, and traffic.
They also said they were being left out of the conversation. As a result, the city took a step back and sent the plan back to the Environmental Planning Commission, which approved the stadium plan a second time.
Neighborhood associations then filed an appeal, which is going before the Albuquerque City Council on Monday night. Although the involved parties will not have a chance to speak, neighborhood associations hope the city council will stop the stadium project from moving forward pending further public input.
“All the people that are making this decision don’t live here, and so it’s okay for them because they are not impacted by it,” expressed Hauser.
Other associations included in the appeal are the North Edith Corridor, Alameda North Valley, and Wildflower Area Neighborhood Association all surrounding Balloon Fiesta Park. Diers said if city council doesn’t deny the request, they are prepared to take the matter to the district court.
United will spend at least $30 million to build the stadium. No city funds would be used for the stadium itself, but the city has begun improvements at the park ahead of the stadium project.
