Mon, Apr 09, 2007
City Councilors Reject Wal-Mart Bid to Build, Support Site For
Recreation
In news that caused
Wal-Mart's ever-happy smiley face to frown, Albuquerque city
councilors last week rejected the world's largest retailer in
support of acquiring its 22-acre site for recreational purposes,
including use as landing space for the city's annual International
Balloon Fiesta.
Albuquerque's KOB-4 reports area residents have fought the
proposed 126,000-square-foot building for the past year, saying
that a Wal-Mart Super Center would change the feel of their
community.
"We urge your support for funding for the purchase of this site,
which can be used for a permanent home of the much needed soccer
fields for children of Albuquerque as well as a landing site for
hot air balloons," Gary Bennett, president of the Albuquerque
Balloon Fiesta, told councilors. "The need is not contrived, the
need is real."
Although the city earmarked $6.1 million to buy the land, City
Council President Debbie O'Malley acknowledged that Wal-Mart may
not view selling the site too favorably. That could lead to the
precedent-setting use of eminent domain and condemnation of the
land.
Said Silvio DeAngelo, an opponent to taking such measures, "You
need to look at the precedent this is setting, and this is a bad
precedent. This is bad public policy."
While the county appraised the land at $3.6 million, Wal-Mart
contends it is worth more than $10 million. If a settlement price
can't be reached and the city seeks condemnation of the property,
it will be up to a judge to determine the purchase price.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is world-renowned
and has been an attraction and destination for thousands for the
past 35 years.
More News
Maximum Authorized Altitude A published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on >[...]
Aero Linx: Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) The Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) is the Training and Safety arm of the Soaring Society of America (SSA). Our mission is to provide ins>[...]
From 2013 (YouTube Version): Dracula Lives On Through Kyle Franklin... and We're NOT Scared! ANN CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Campbell speaks with Aerobatic and airshow master, Kyl>[...]
“For Montaer Aircraft it is a very prudent move to incorporate such reliable institution as Ocala Aviation, with the background of decades in training experience and aviation>[...]
Also: ForeFlight Upgrades, Cicare USA, Vittorazi Engines, EarthX We have a number of late-breaking news highlights from the 2024 Innovation Preview... which was PACKED with real ne>[...]