SENATE MEMORIAL 20

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Cisco McSorley

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY ALTERNATIVE USES FOR STATE FAIRGROUNDS PROPERTY THAT COULD PROVIDE A PERMANENT REVENUE STREAM TO FUND FAIRGROUND OPERATIONS AND THAT WOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH SURROUNDING CITY AND COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

     WHEREAS, the Expo New Mexico state fair is one of the largest fairs in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, the Expo New Mexico state fairgrounds currently leases its buildings and property for a variety of exhibitions and commercial purposes, including a racetrack and casino, and hosts a state fair annually for approximately seventeen days; and

     WHEREAS, Expo New Mexico is in need of additional funds for maintenance and operations of the New Mexico state fairgrounds; and

     WHEREAS, Expo New Mexico state fairgrounds is located in Albuquerque, the largest urban center in New Mexico, and the property is surrounded by land used for commercial, office and residential purposes; and

     WHEREAS, the potential exists to identify new uses for state fairgrounds property that could provide a permanent revenue stream to fund fairgrounds maintenance and operations, be compatible with the educational purposes of the fairgrounds as set forth in statute, be compatible with the surrounding urban development infrastructure and enhance the economy and the development character of the surrounding urban areas; and

     WHEREAS, six neighborhood associations recognized by the city of Albuquerque share a border with the state fairgrounds; and

     WHEREAS, these associations are eager to participate in efforts to identify alternative uses for state fairgrounds property and are already actively engaged in planning efforts that will meet the mutual needs of the fairgrounds and the eclectic combination of residential and commercial neighbors that are contiguously located there;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be requested to convene a task force to study alternative uses for state fairgrounds property that could provide a permanent revenue stream to fund fairgrounds operations and that would be compatible with surrounding city and county development and infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representation from the state fair commission, legislators whose districts include neighborhoods surrounding the state fairgrounds, a neighborhood association located in Albuquerque city council district six, a neighborhood association located in Albuquerque city council district seven, Albuquerque city management, the Bernalillo county board of county commissioners and the economic development department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consider such potential options as public and private partnerships to create a business park, shops that lease the fairgrounds land, a complex of charter schools and the location of a complex of state and municipal government offices and departments on the fairgrounds; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force identify and consider other income-producing options that would be compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods and city and county development and infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of the findings and recommendations of the task force be presented to the appropriate interim legislative committee by October 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the negotiations on the Albuquerque downs and casino lease be suspended until the findings and recommendations are received and reviewed by the New Mexico legislature in order to preserve the potential for new uses identified by the task force; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the chair of the state fair commission, the president of each of the six neighborhood associations recognized by the city of Albuquerque that share a border with the state fairgrounds, the secretary of economic development, the president of the Albuquerque city council, the mayor of Albuquerque and the chair of the Bernalillo county board of county commissioners.

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