City council: Sunport deck moves forward, entertainment venue and grass votes delayed

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque City Council greenlit housing on the West Side and funds for the Sunport’s observation deck but delayed other key decisions.

City councilors unanimously approved a proposal to update the Westland Master Plan to switch around 60 acres from “educational use” to “residential use.” That will allow developers to build more than 2,000 new housing units not far from the Nusenda Community Stadium.

The Sunport’s new observation deck is also moving forward. Albuquerque city councilors rejected Louie Sanchez’s proposal to withhold the funds for it in a reserve account until the Sunport submitted designs and cost estimates. However, the Sunport stated plans should be around 90% complete by year’s end.

Delayed decision on grass

City Councilor Dan Lewis proposed allocating $2 million to replace grass and turf at certain city parks and make emergency upgrades.

“We don’t really have a funding or a financial crisis as far a a budget in this city. We just have a priority crisis,” he said. “When it comes to our parks, it’s an essential service, like roadways, parks, trash pickups and ensuring we are giving the tax payers the best return on their dollar.”

However, he requested to delay the vote for two weeks so city officials can produce a comprehensive report on progress made in park maintenance by then.

Decision on forgotten entertainment venue ballot question postponed

A question about a new performing arts center in downtown Albuquerque could appear on the 2026 ballot after the city clerk’s office admitted they accidentally omitted it from the 2025 election ballot.

The city charter requires a public vote before constructing such a building. A resolution aimed to remove this provision.

Albuquerque City Council postponed the issue to look at options for getting the proposal on the ballot.