Comments on: Does Albuquerque need an arena? http://newmexicoindependent.com/812/does-albuquerque-need-an-arena New Mexico news and politics Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: emergent http://newmexicoindependent.com/812/does-albuquerque-need-an-arena#comment-683 emergent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://70.32.121.217/?p=812#comment-683 There is actually (somewhat ironically) a meeting on Expo use this coming week... What: EXPO NM RFI -- Information Session When: Friday, July 18th, 10:00 AM Where: EXPO New Mexico grounds How: More info at the Governor's Website: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/index2.php The state has released a Request for Information to seek ideas and information for the redevelopment of EXPO New Mexico into what Gov. Bill Richardson calls a "21st century showcase." The Department of Finance and Administration released the RFI today as part of a planning process to renovate the existing state fairgrounds in a way that complements the surrounding communities and makes good use of state resources. A pre-response meeting consisting of a question and answer information session as well as a tour of the site will be held at the EXPO New Mexico grounds at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2008. More info at the Governor's Website: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/index2.php There is actually (somewhat ironically) a meeting on Expo use this coming week…

What: EXPO NM RFI — Information Session
When: Friday, July 18th, 10:00 AM
Where: EXPO New Mexico grounds
How: More info at the Governor’s Website: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/index2.php

The state has released a Request for Information to seek ideas and information for the redevelopment of EXPO New Mexico into what Gov. Bill Richardson calls a “21st century showcase.”

The Department of Finance and Administration released the RFI today as part of a planning process to renovate the existing state fairgrounds in a way that complements the surrounding communities and makes good use of state resources.

A pre-response meeting consisting of a question and answer information session as well as a tour of the site will be held at the EXPO New Mexico grounds at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2008.

More info at the Governor’s Website: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/index2.php

]]> By: sabiadeagua http://newmexicoindependent.com/812/does-albuquerque-need-an-arena#comment-684 sabiadeagua Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://70.32.121.217/?p=812#comment-684 If an arena is necessary, why not utilize the Expo site, soon to be abandoned by the Racino? Certainly there s parking and access. To encourage a broader diversity in the Downtown area, in addition to a new hotel, why not focus on different activities than entertainment? For instance, develop the Railyard area in Barelas. What if there were to be a grocery store on the first floor, some shops on the second floor and a restaurant on the top floor? Then more shops would develop along the tracks between the Alvarado Center and the Railyard area, and would expand down Central. Such an emphasis would bring needed stores to the area --try getting groceries if you live in the new infill areas in the downtown sector without driving-- and would diversify the opportunities for all. If an arena is necessary, why not utilize the Expo site, soon to be abandoned by the Racino? Certainly there s parking and access.

To encourage a broader diversity in the Downtown area, in addition to a new hotel, why not focus on different activities than entertainment? For instance, develop the Railyard area in Barelas. What if there were to be a grocery store on the first floor, some shops on the second floor and a restaurant on the top floor? Then more shops would develop along the tracks between the Alvarado Center and the Railyard area, and would expand down Central. Such an emphasis would bring needed stores to the area –try getting groceries if you live in the new infill areas in the downtown sector without driving– and would diversify the opportunities for all.

]]> By: drywall http://newmexicoindependent.com/812/does-albuquerque-need-an-arena#comment-685 drywall Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://70.32.121.217/?p=812#comment-685 "Why isn't a convention center expansion and additional hotel space good enough?" A fine question! As someone who's just moved to ABQ I have to say the sprawl here and lack of significant "dense areas" (this has got to be the smallest downtown for a metro area of 800k in the country) is frustrating. I would love to see energy and effort go into bolstering downtown as a worthwhile destination. At the same time, I don't see what functions an arena would serve, especially since there's already the Pit, right? Seems like a better convention center and hotel offerings would make Albuquerque more enticing but would avoid the money pit an arena could become. Hopefully your question will be addressed. “Why isn’t a convention center expansion and additional hotel space good enough?”

A fine question!

As someone who’s just moved to ABQ I have to say the sprawl here and lack of significant “dense areas” (this has got to be the smallest downtown for a metro area of 800k in the country) is frustrating. I would love to see energy and effort go into bolstering downtown as a worthwhile destination.

At the same time, I don’t see what functions an arena would serve, especially since there’s already the Pit, right? Seems like a better convention center and hotel offerings would make Albuquerque more enticing but would avoid the money pit an arena could become. Hopefully your question will be addressed.

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