Vote ‘For’ bonds to keep investing in Albuquerque
City voters are being asked to approve $125 million in bonds to pay for a variety of capital projects on the Oct. 3 ballot. The Journal urges voters to approve all 11 bond questions. They include:
$16,271,000 for public safety projects, including $6.1 million for the purchase of police and fire vehicles. There’s also money to repair and improve a variety of police and fire buildings.
$14,495,000 to improve senior and community centers. The package includes $3 million to build a gym at the North Domingo Baca complex in the Northeast Heights and $3 million to acquire land at Cibola Loop for a future library.
$17,193,000 for parks and recreation projects, including $2.5 million to acquire land for preservation as open space and $2 million to improve irrigation in parks.
$11,570,00 to carry out energy and water conservation projects, renovate city buildings, improve computer security, upgrade information technology and handle similar work.
$6,011,000 for libraries, including $3 million to buy books and materials. There’s also $2 million that would go toward an International District library.
$32,517,000 for street projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads and intersections throughout the city. The proposal also includes $1 million to improve Unser NW between Central and Interstate 40, $900,000 to widen Alameda between Interstate 25 and Louisiana, and $1 million to improve Ladera NW between Coors and Gavin.
$5,960,000 for public transportation, including $4.5 million to buy buses and vans.
$14,342,000 for drains, pump stations and projects to improve the quality of storm water that flows into the Rio Grande.
$1,591,000 for museums, cultural attractions and a Route 66 visitors center on West Central. $3,788,000 for affordable-housing projects. $1,262,000 to support redevelopment in Downtown, the Barelas rail yards and other parts of the city.
Albuquerque residents depend on the built environment of their city, and these bonds are an investment in that built environment. Voting “yes” on all will not increase property taxes because these are replacing other bonds that are being retired. And while voting “no” on all would save the owner of a $100,000 home $41 a year, where else can you spend $41 and get police cruisers, firetrucks, wider roads, a library, open space and more?