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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Picraux

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/10/2007

HM 23

SHORT TITLE UNM “North Golf Course" Land Designations

SB

ANALYST Schuss

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Memorial 23 requests that the University of New Mexico become an advocate for the

dedication of property known as the “North Golf Course" as permanent university urban green

space.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The University of New Mexico received the land for the north golf course for one dollar ($1.00),

and the labor to construct the north golf course was provided without cost by the works progress

administration and includes a historic structure designed by noted university architect John Gaw

Meem. All of the trees on the north golf course were given by neighbors who allowed them to be

dug out of their yards and transplanted to the golf course, and former University of New Mexico

President Thomas Popejoy envisioned the north golf course as a place of recreation for the entire

community.

The north golf course is the largest green space in the center of Albuquerque, which also serves

the city by reducing the urban heat island effect; and the trees protect the campus and

surrounding area from the pollutants vehicles emit on the state’s two largest interstates. The trees

are significant contributors toward the city of Albuquerque’s urban forest improvement initiative

and the north golf course is a refuge for wildlife such as hawks, coyotes, roadrunners, rabbits and

House Memorial 23 – Page

2

over a hundred other desert creatures. The north golf course provides further drainage of storm

water, which protects part of the city from flooding, and the north golf course is a revenue-

generating part of the University of New Mexico’s athletics program.

Rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses caused by sedentary behaviors are

increasing at an alarming rate. The north golf course provides a perimeter trail of two miles open

to walkers and joggers; and encouraging healthy lifestyles and exercise is an inexpensive way to

improve the health of Albuquerque residents. The north golf course contributes to connectivity

between the university, businesses and surrounding neighborhoods;

The House of Representatives of the State of New Mexico requests that the University of New

Mexico undertake action to permanently set aside the property commonly known as the “north

golf course" for continued beneficial use as noted above.

BS/sec