Berry to take another look at downtown arena

Posted at: 10/20/2009 6:48 PM | Updated at: 10/21/2009 7:33 AM
By: Antoinette Antonio, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

Mayor-elect Richard Berry

Mayor-elect Richard Berry says he’s bringing together a new team to look at the prospect of a downtown arena in Albuquerque.

Mayor Martin Chavez, who leaves office Dec. 1, pushed for the construction of a 12,000-seat arena during his administration. But Berry says he’ll take another look at the idea with a fresh set of eyes and opinions.

They mayor-elect says the administration hasn’t taken a “yes or no” stand yet.

“We’re not at the point where I have a decision made,” he said. “But we're going to make sure we do our due diligence and have a good solid answer for Albuquerque."

Berry wants his team to look at the data collected so far, including plans, costs and potential benefits. One problem councilors and taxpayers have had with the project is the price tag: $350 million of taxpayer money.

City Councilor Isaac Benton says a new study could show a smaller price tag because construction costs could be lower in the current economy. He says a downtown arena wouldn’t just benefit his district, but it would bring in more business for the Convention Center with out-of-towners spending money throughout the city.

“For me, it's a high priority. But the timeframe, we've got to get the new leadership a chance to understand the project,” Benton said.

“Homework is going to be done," said Berry, "and then when I get to the point where I feel like I've come to a conclusion as a mayor, with input from many stakeholders in the community, then I'll be able to stand up and say, ‘Here's what I think we found and what I think is best.’”

Mayor-elect Berry says this is one of many things he is tackling when he takes office in December, so he is not giving a timeframe on when he will take an official stand on the issue.

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