ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A popular Albuquerque concert venue that’s notorious for crowded parking may soon see some relief. The county is getting ready to spend millions on another parking lot at Mesa Del Sol. The plan is to build the new lot just south of Isleta Amphitheater isolated from the other parking lots and it’s because the venue is continuing to see more sold-out shows.
“The concert season is exciting to even just learn how many concerts they’re doing for this season and so to provide additional parking is great,” said Damian Luna, Senior Engineer, Bernalillo County. More parking is on the way soon for the 15,000 seat Isleta amphitheater at Mesa Del Sol with Bernalillo County funding a $2.5 million project which will includes construction of a new parking lot south of the Live Nation owned venue.
“Live Nation has requested some additional parking for their employees so that’s gonna be serving the main purpose for this parking,” said Luna. The plan is to add 300 employees only parking spaces with the new lot which should free up the main lot for concert goers. County commissioners approved the plan during a meeting this week which also includes upgrades to a small part of Bobby Foster Road into the lot and a walkway to the venue.
The county said the lot isn’t just for concerts though. “Also serves as additional parking for the soccer fields in the area as well,” said Luna. Commissioners said it’s worth the investment as Mesa Del Sol continues growing with new sports fields, more homes, and the possibility of solar manufacturing plants nearby. “The work going up there is awesome, its really a thriving community and I think it’s good we incentivize it. Our partnership with live nation is important again another thing that bring people entertainment in our state and they can do some good stuff,” said Adriann Barboa, Vice Chair, Bernalillo County commissioner.
While the parking lot is phase one of the project phase two should include more upgrades to University Boulevard and eventually a part of Bobby Foster Road but there’s no timetable on that work yet. Construction on the new lot is expected to start this summer.
