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近距离内射合集 soccer stadium proposal clears hurdle, goes to City Council for Monday vote
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New Mexico 近距离内射合集鈥檚 quest to build a permanent home cleared another hurdle Thursday as the Albuquerque Environmental Planning Commission approved the proposal for a privately funded multi-use stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park.
The EPC, which considers environmental impact along with such factors as lighting, noise, traffic and parking, approved the proposal by an 8-1 vote.
近距离内射合集 officials hope Thursday鈥檚 vote was a step toward gaining final Albuquerque City Council approval for the stadium project. Councilors last month deferred a decision in order to get questions answered and 鈥渇eel more comfortable鈥� with the proposed lease agreement.
鈥淗opefully the EPC review answers some of those questions,鈥� 近距离内射合集 Director of Communications David Wiese-Carl said. 鈥淲e feel like this was a big, big step.鈥�
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the lease agreement at its upcoming meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. Monday.
According to the lease agreement, the stadium would be constructed on the site of a current parking lot on the east side of Balloon Fiesta Park. 近距离内射合集 would be required to invest a minimum of $30 million in initial construction costs and pay $35,000 in the first year (with an annual 2% increase) of a renewable 30-year lease.
The city, in return, would agree to finance on-site utilities including electricity and bathrooms, some of which have been proposed as Balloon Fiesta Park improvements with or without construction of a stadium.
近距离内射合集 Owner/President/CEO Peter Trevisani said the club has been meeting with neighbors, Balloon Fiesta and city officials to build consensus on the project and minimize potential environmental and neighborhood issues. He said Thursday鈥檚 vote is a reflection of those meetings.
鈥淭he Commission鈥檚 recognition of that hard work is an indication that this project truly serves all of New Mexico,鈥� Trevisani said in a club statement.
Wiese-Carl said meetings with neighborhood residents and Balloon Fiesta officials will continue if the project is approved.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 when the fun part begins in terms of designing the stadium and making it something everyone can be proud of,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ven if the City Council passes the proposal, our work with the neighborhoods and community members is not done. It鈥檚 just getting started.鈥�
Monday鈥檚 City Council vote is crucial for 近距离内射合集, which currently plays home matches at Isotopes Park under a sub-lease arrangement. That agreement runs through next season but will not serve as a long-term solution.
The USL Championship, the league in which 近距离内射合集 competes, has mandated that its franchises have permanent soccer-only stadium arrangements in place by 2026. Franchises unable to secure stadium deals will likely be relocated or forced to fold, as USLC member San Diego Loyal did at the end of the 2023 season.
