Nob Hill Main Street in the New York Times and New Mexico Business Weekly

Last week, Governor Richardson came to Scalo's in Nob Hill and asked New Mexicans to spend $25 at 2 local stores this month. With the prevelance of local shops in Albuquerque, it is important to spend money there because the money stays in our communitiy and local economy.

I would also like to encourage folks to spend money in local shops, not only this month but year round. Local small business is a major part of our local economy and the strength of our local businesses translates to the health of our local economy. I am lucky to represent an area that consists of amazing local shops, restaurants, and other businesses in Nob Hill and the International District.

Gov. Richardson Asks New Mexicans to Shop Locally

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 3, 2009
Filed at 9:16 p.m. ET

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Thursday urged New Mexicans to spend $25 at each of two local stores this month, an initiative that could have a $27 million economic impact on the state in December.
Richardson, who spoke at a restaurant in Albuquerque's Nob Hill shopping area, said that for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in that community. That compares to $43 remaining in the community for every $100 spent in national chain stores, he said.
Because small- and medium-sized businesses are prevalent in New Mexico, shopping locally would help the state's budget shortfall, Richardson said.
''This is a way we can pump tax money, gross receipts funds, into our state and at the same time make a difference and help our local businesses,'' he said.
While Albuquerque, Santa Fe and cities around the country have asked shoppers to spend their dollars at local stores, New Mexico's ''$25 2 Main Street'' campaign makes it one of few states -- alongside Vermont and Utah -- to offer a statewide push, said Stacy Mitchell, a senior researcher at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

from the New York Times, read the rest here.

Read the New Mexico Business Weekly arcticle here.

Governor Richardson Appoints EXPO NM Redevelopment Task Force

Last week, Governor Bill Richardson announced that CH Johnson Consulting will develop a master plan for the State Fairgrounds redevelopment. CH Johnson will work with the EXPO New Mexico Redevelopment Task Force to develop the plan that;

"will incorporate ideas generated by the community into a plan that will best suit the needs of the State Fairground to include attractions, the equestrian center and additional uses for the property," said Governor Richardson.

Here are the Task Force members:

Brian O'Neill - New Mexico Sports Authority
Luke Otero - State Fair Commission
Vic Chavez - Chavez Grieves Engineering
Valerie Cole - New Mexico Horse Council
Mary Ann Weems - Gallery Owner
Bob McCabe - Architect, Former City of Albuquerque Planning Director
Representative Al Park
Representative Sheryl Williams-Stapleton
Senator Cisco McSorley
Bianca Ortiz Wertheim - City of Albuquerque
Lawrence Rael - Mid Region Council of Governments
Sam Bregman - Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Mahlon Love - Former State Fair Commissioner
Joanne Landry - Neighborhood Community Leader
Jay Czar - New Mexico Mortgage and Finance Authority
Senator-Elect Tim Keller
Judith Espinoza - EXPO New Mexico
Mike Sivage - Albuquerque Builder and Developer
Fred Peralta - Former EXPO New Mexico Director
Gary Morton - Equestrian
Task Force
Caroline Stevenson - Equestrian Task Force
Eddie Corley Jr. - Former State Representative

If you look close enough, there are 3 equestrian representatives and 1 community/neighborhood representative. It makes me question the reasoning for muting the neighborhood voice because the horse trailers have easier access off of I-40, then it would have in Mesa del Sol.

This is nothing against the equestrian community because they are an amazing asset to the Albuquerque community and have an amazing history in New Mexico, but I am disappointed that the EXPO neighbor who stares into a giant wall from their window is being silenced.

Now it is up to not only the communities surrounding the fairgrounds but the Albuquerque community as a whole to hold the Elected Officials accountable to the community voice.

posted by Julian

Governor Releases Possible Uses for EXPO

Last month, Governor Richardson held a community meeting and received ideas about redeveloping EXPO NM. Below is an article from the New Mexico Independent, where some broad themes are listed, with some of them coming from the District 6 Coalition idea proposal.

Governor to create "21st Century showcase"

By Denise Tessier 09/08/2008

As the New Mexico State Fair kicked off on Friday, the governor's office released a number of broad ideas for use of the EXPO New Mexico fairgrounds year-round, promising the state "will move forward to turn EXPO into a 21st century showcase."
The governor received written comments on EXPO's future and also heard directly from individuals, neighborhood associations and groups at a hearing he hosted in Albuquerque last month.
“After reaching out to the community and potential private partners, it is clear that there is overwhelming support to redevelop the existing property,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a statement from his office today.
The information was sought in light of the Downs of Albuquerque's decision to move its racing operations to Moriarty. The next step will be to issue a Request for Proposals, which will give interested parties an opportunity to develop a concrete plan for EXPO.
The statement issued by the governor's office summarized these six broad themes for use of the property, which will be part of the Request for Proposals:

Keeping the State Fair at the current location and improving the existing
infrastructure. Other ideas include building apartments on site, restaurants and
an urban market.

Creating job opportunities and economic development by building
commercial, retail, workforce training facilities or even an Alternative Energy
Expo Center.

Developing a year-round family recreation center, such as a
cultural theme park or an athletic complex. Ideas included an Old Western Theme
Park, Asian Cultural Center, Deaf Culture Club or a Dubai of the Southwest.

Creating a world class equestrian center for horse shows, rodeos, dirt biking
and family-centered livestock events.

Designing a community green space including a growers market and a public garden. One idea called it a "Lean Innovation Green Business & Entertainment Center"

Building a multipurpose event center or grandstand for concerts, sporting events and conventions. One proposal suggested bringing a professional soccer team to the state

.

City Council District 6 Coalition's Recommendations for EXPO NM

City Council District Six Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
600 San Pablo St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2008

For further information contact Nancy Bearce
Coalition President (505) 254-7841

SE Heights Neighborhood Groups Issue Recommendations for Expo NM

ALBUQUERQUE - As part of the RFI process and in anticipation of the Governor’s visit to Expo NM this Friday at 1:30 pm at the African American Performing Arts Center, surrounding neighborhood groups and elected officials have outlined several desired themes to help guide Expo New Mexico's future planning. Earlier last month, 23 citizens representing 7 neighborhood associations, 4 organizations and 5 public officials gathered for a brainstorming session and are pleased to make the following recommendations. Ideas for a new plan for Expo NM include:

1. Keep the State Fair

2. Provide more job opportunities for area residents and be an asset for creating a
community economic engine

3. Incorporate “Best of " ideas from other cities, i.e. Central Park, NYC;
Millennium Park, Chicago; Soulard Market, St. Louis

4. Be an International/Cultural Destination (cultural centers, sister city cultures,
International Consulate offices, etc.)

5. Include a Rt 66/Central Avenue Promenade

6. Home to a Permanent Grower’s Market/Flea Market (open, inviting, public) such as
the Soulard Market, St. Louis

7. Be a Daily and Year-round Destination including Retail, Restaurants and
Government Offices

8. Provide Year-round Family recreation that is community supported and include all
age activities for children, teens, adults and elders

9. Provide Green Open walkways, lighted and no walls

10. A World Class Event Center like O2 in London that is multi-functional

11. Incorporate thoughtful mixed use planning with a parking garage, gate re-designs,
multi-modal transportation, workable traffic flows, and safe

12. Use Green Building and alternative energy, i.e. solar panels on the covered
grower’s market structure and utilize local companies

13. Include Athletic Fields for a variety of community sports such as soccer, Little
League, etc

14. Include an Equestrian Center, depending on Mesa Del Sol plans

15. Exclude ideas for established long-term housing but consider State Fair housing
and ‘artist in residence’ programs like the Santa Fe Opera

16. Follow a process that permanently includes Neighborhoods and other stakeholders

" The Fairgrounds re-development will impact area residents and neighborhoods for 50 years or more. The Governor is well served by having engaged citizens, their sharing of ideas and the value of their input," says Nancy Bearce, Coalition President.

"What to do with Expo NM was an important issue in the recent primary, I'm pleased our district is proactively voicing its ideas. I'm looking forward to working on this in the legislature," says State Senate District 17 Senator - Elect Tim Keller.

"I am excited to work with the Governor and community leaders on promoting a re-vitalized and vibrant Expo New Mexico that will serve the local neighborhoods as well as the entire state,” says State Representative Al Park, District 26.





*****************

Governor Richardson to Hold a Community Meeting to Hear Ideas for EXPO New Mexico

SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson will hold a community meeting on Friday, Aug. 8, in Albuquerque to hear directly from New Mexicans who have ideas for redeveloping EXPO New Mexico.

“I want to hear from the public, including the private sector and neighborhood associations, to explore every option for renovating the state fairgrounds,” said Governor Richardson.

The Governor will be accompanied by EXPO officials, Finance Secretary Katherine Miller and local legislators, whom will be available to the public for questions and comments about the state fairgrounds.

Governor Richardson is interested in ideas that may include replacing Tingley Coliseum and the Downs Racetrack with a world class EXPO New Mexico Exhibit Center. In effort to maximize the use of the space, the State is open to considering alternative uses for the property, including community green space, multi-use buildings and commercial or residential development.

EXPO New Mexico consists of 237 acres within the city of Albuquerque and contains approximately 1,000,000 square feet of buildings and 7,500 parking spaces.

The community meeting will be held on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 1:30pm in the auditorium at the African American Performing Arts Center on the State Fairgrounds.

This event is open to the media and the public. We urge those who would like to attend, to arrive prior to 1:30pm.

###

Governor Asking for Your Ideas

from the Albuquerque Journal

Got Any Ideas for Expo? Speak Up!
AlbuquerqueJournal-->By Jeff JonesJournal Staff Writer

Gov. Bill Richardson, who envisions a dramatic revamp of the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque, wants to know what developers, businesses, architects and anyone else who's interested have in mind.

The options, including moving the fairgrounds elsewhere, seem to be wide open.

The state on Monday issued a written “request for information” on ideas for the future of the 237-acre Expo New Mexico grounds on Central Avenue. And the state is continuing to explore a public-private partnership to make big changes on the valuable chunk of central Albuquerque real estate.

Richardson earlier this year made headlines when he announced the partnership possibility and tossed out the idea of replacing the aging Tingley Coliseum and the Downs at Albuquerque horse track with a new “world-class” exhibit center.

Some of the other possibilities in the new request for information are also likely to spark conversation.

“Expo New Mexico grounds are large enough and located in an area that lends itself to any number of possible uses, including but by no means limited to a year-round theme park, commercial, residential and/or retail development, an equestrian center, land leases, a state office campus for the Albuquerque area, expansion of the flea market, etc.,” the request says.

The request also says the state is seeking ideas for keeping the fair “as an integral part of the new development” as well as a “development with the state fair moved to an alternate location.”

The potential exhibit center, convention facilities, green space and “destination retail” are also mentioned in the request.

The request for ideas is not a formal request seeking bids on an Expo revamp, and the state is not paying anything for the ideas it generates — though Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said the ideas could eventually be incorporated into a bid request.

A meeting for anyone wishing to give their two cents' worth is set to take place 10 a.m. July 18 on the Expo grounds, and responses must be submitted to the state by Aug. 15.

“If there's something we need from the Legislature, we'd like to get it to them by the next session,” Gallegos said of the potential state involvement in an Expo makeover.

Richardson in May announced that he had directed state Finance Secretary Katherine Miller and Expo General Manager Judith Espinosa to hammer out a proposal for a public-private partnership to revamp the aging fairgrounds, which for years has been a major money pit for repair and maintenance work.

The order came after the state Racing Commission approved a request by the Downs to move its track and casino operations to a new site in Moriarty. At the time, Gallegos said moving the track would strip about $2 million a year from Expo's $15.7 million budget.

Gallegos has said Richardson preferred keeping the fair on the Expo grounds, though the new request for information leaves a move elsewhere as one option.

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez would like to see the fair moved to the developing Mesa del Sol area south of Albuquerque.

It wasn't immediately clear whether a new exhibit center would conflict in any way with Chávez's plans to bring a new arena and hotel project to Downtown Albuquerque, though the new request for information appears to refer to the other project at one point:

It mentions “keeping in mind other similarly planned projects in the Albuquerque metro area.”

A message left for Chávez on Monday afternoon wasn't immediately returned, though one city official has said Richardson appears to be supportive of the Downtown plans.