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| Wilson Touts Mesa del Sol Jobs and Homes |
July 06, 2005 |
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Lawmaker Outlines Federal Infrastructure Support for Future South East Albuquerque Neighborhoods
Albuquerque, NM – Twelve thousand acres of barren mesa land could soon be Albuquerque’s newest neighborhood, complete with business parks, schools, village centers, and homes of all shapes, sizes, and prices.
“Securing the $20 million to extend University and Rio Bravo boulevards has been a team effort and I am grateful to Congresswoman Wilson for her work on the federal level to see this project completed,” said State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons.
Rep. Wilson points out where new Mesa del Sol roads might lead once constructed. Just behind her is State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons and UNM’s Steve Beffort.
Congresswoman Heather Wilson announced today that she secured $2.5 million to help jumpstart construction of the University Boulevard extension road, leading to the heart of the future Mesa del Sol development in southeast Albuquerque. The federal lawmaker also says she has requested $6 million in funding for a new I-25/Mesa del Sol interchange that would connect the highway with the new area. If approved, the federal funding would be used for planning and design of the proposed interchange, about 3.5 miles south of the existing I-25/Rio Bravo interchange. Wilson says she earmarked the funding in the Highway Transportation Reauthorization bill pending before Congress.
“As we can see from these charts and maps, Mesa del Sol has great potential,” said Wilson. “Anybody who’s been out to a concert at the Journal Pavilion has seen the vast expanse of land out there. And anybody who’s been to a concert has probably been stuck in traffic, too. The potential is there. Now we need to build the roads and infrastructure that will make jobs and homes and neighborhoods in Mesa del Sol possible. We’ll keep working to bring these artist renderings to life.”
Rep. Heather Wilson has worked for years with Mesa del Sol partners to provide federal funding for infrastructure that will make jobs and homes in the area possible. She secured $250,000 of seed money in FY04 to kick start planning for the University Boulevard road. She secured another $2.25 million for the current funding year. City officials expect to break ground on road construction this summer.
“We appreciate the ongoing support for Mesa del Sol by Representative Wilson and of all of our elected officials,” said Michael Daly, COO of Forest City Covington. “It is this support that helps us move forward quickly in trying to bring jobs to New Mexico and also supports our long term needs, such as funding for the Mesa del Sol Interchange that will ensure the project’s success.”
Wilson today said that extending University Boulevard and building a new Mesa del Sol road lays the groundwork for development of the area. This, she says, could lead to an economic boon for Albuquerque, with the potential for attracting and growing more and better jobs in the metro area.
“Government doesn’t create the wealth that builds a community, but it can help create the conditions for growth. In this case that means transportation infrastructure that will support jobs and homes,” Wilson continued.
Mesa del Sol will be developed over the next 35 to 50 years with the first building to be built after the extension of University Boulevard scheduled for completion in 2006. The property is in the southeast corner of the City of Albuquerque, bordered by the Bernalillo County Recreational Complex (Journal Pavilion), Tijeras Arroyo, I-25, Isleta Pueblo and Kirtland Air Force Base.
Federal Funding Rep. Wilson has secured for the University Blvd Extension:
FY04 Approps - $250,000
FY05 Approps - $2.25 million
Federal Funding Rep. Wilson is working to secure:
$6 million in Transportation Reauthorization for the new I-25 Mesa del Sol interchange
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