ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Residents of the Barelas and South Broadway neighborhoods held a protest on Wednesday morning against the proposed New Mexico United stadium. Members of the Stop the Stadium campaign have been going door-to-door encouraging people to vote no on the stadium bond.
If voters approve the bond next month, the city will invest up to $50 million to build a 10,000 to 12,000 seat soccer stadium for New Mexico United. Campaign members say a stadium will drive up housing prices and the money should be spent on affordable housing.
The city says a feasibility study shows over a 30-year period, the stadium could have an impact of more than $384 million. On Wednesday afternoon, a pro-stadium group called NM United For All Campaign sent the following statement:
We are aware of the event organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation and community members today, and they have every right to voice their opinion. We believe Albuquerque should – and is – addressing our city’s priorities like public safety, affordable housing and homelessness through the $140 million in bonds that are on the ballot this November, which we strongly support. We also know that Albuquerque’s success is deeply rooted in investing in our community’s future quality of life. We encourage Albuquerque voters to unite with us and invest in all of the bonds, including the People’s Stadium that we can all take pride in for generations to come.
