Councilors want to cut Berry plan
Bosque trail project could lose some funds
Mayor Richard Berry is used to Democratic opposition to his “ABQ: The Plan” initiative.
Starting today, it looks like he’ll also face some reservations from his own party.
The debate will center on the city’s bond program, which city councilors will consider in a meeting tonight.
A package of amendments sponsored by Dan Lewis and Don Harris, both Republicans, would eliminate $3.25 million in bond funding for Rio Grande bosque amenities and trail development, ideas contained in “ABQ: The Plan.”
Instead, the river projects would be funded out of $2.9 million already set aside in the city’s operating budget for capital projects.
Moving the river funding out of the bond program would free up extra money for West Side parks, improving Paseo del Volcan and redevelopment of far East Central.
The council, Lewis said, is simply trying to craft legislation that reflects priorities of both the administration and councilors.
“I think we clearly communicated that we continue to see the need for the planning efforts,” Lewis said, “but at the same time there are some immediate capital needs that we want to ensure we take care of.”
The Berry administration had no comment.
The mayor has highlighted improvements along the river —
boardwalks, lookout towers, boat ramps — as a component of “ABQ: The Plan.” Berry has asked the public to review and comment on the ideas.
“The Plan” refers to a longrange initiative of the mayor, who’s using savings in the city’s operating budget and elsewhere to generate money for capital investment. The rebuilding of Paseo del Norte and Interstate 25, for example, is part of the effort.
The bond proposal to be considered tonight will total about $110 million to $115 million altogether, depending on choices the mayor and councilors make. If approved, it would go before voters in the October city election as a series of bond questions.
The amendments proposed by Harris and Lewis would:
Eliminate $3.25 million in bond funding for two line items — “river amenities, enhancement and bosque restoration” and “bosque trail development.” Instead those projects would get about $2.9 million that was set aside in the operating budget for unspecified capital projects.
Eliminate $2.5 million for Osuna Road widening. The councilors said in a letter to the mayor that Osuna is already a full four lanes between Second and Jefferson and “providing a good level of service.”
Add $800,000 in funding that could be used to begin designing an interchange at Paseo del Volcan and Interstate 40; $800,000 for improvements in the “East Gateway” redevelopment area; $2.5 million for West Side parks; and $250,000 for a Four Hills park.
There would also be money added to the funds already proposed for animal shelters, affordable housing and other projects.
In their letter to the mayor, Lewis and Harris said that, while the river and bosquetrail projects are important to the city, they don’t necessarily need bond funding.
“Both of these projects are still in the conceptual planning phases and are not yet ready for construction,” they said. “Additionally, the city has yet to secure approvals that may be necessary for the construction of the projects from” agencies with jurisdiction over the bosque.
Their letter also said the city’s far West Mesa “is poised for significant growth” in the next 20 years, making it wise to invest in projects there.
And making money available for the East Gateway area will help “revitalize an important area of the city and contribute to the mayor’s overall objective of revitalizing Route 66.”