Old runway could see new business soon

Sunport seeks tenants for development along Gibson

The Sunport has been talking with “a couple of businesses” as potential tenants for its planned commercial development along Gibson Boulevard.

Lisa Leyva, Aviation Development Manager for the Albuquerque International Sunport, said the city doesn’t yet have a firm commitment from the companies, which she declined to name, but was hopeful they could be building new facilities sometime next year. If so, they would be the first tenants in the airport’s Aviation Center for Excellence.

The city in 2017 announced plans for the development on about 75 acres of what was once a north-south runway. It is marketing the site for retail and restaurants, offices and other commercial uses.

“The airport has invested $13 million (through) April of this year to get this project up and running,” Leyva said in a phone interview. “The goal was to create a retail restaurant space that offers room for offices, manufacturing and research projects.”

Leyva said the site already has airfield access, which has been a plus with site selectors that have shown interest in the project.

Leyvas said the project gained a lot of attention after the airport posted an ad in Site Selection Magazine.

“Obviously this area’s access to the airport is already a plus, but another thing that has many potential businesses excited about the area is the available infrastructure,” she said. “Right now the entire area is shovel ready.”

According to the city, 12-15 of the 75 acres have been dedicated for commercial retail use and another 15 acres have been dedicated to aeronautical related development with taxiway access.

“Right now many of the site selectors we have met with are looking over what the best use for the land and what the best economic impact will be,” Leyva said. “I think its safe to say we will see some businesses moving in early next year.”