INTERVIEW: Stantec’s Nancy Locke on the State Fair Masterplanning Effort

The redevelopment of EXPO New Mexico and the State Fairgrounds is one of Albuquerque’s most high-profile and contested civic planning efforts. The State of New Mexico has contracted Stantec, a global engineering firm to lead a master plan for the 236-acre site, with the goal of maximizing its economic, cultural, and year-round utilization. 

That study is exploring several paths: retaining and upgrading the fair in its current location, relocating the fairgrounds entirely, or transforming part of the land into mixed-use development including housing, retail, and entertainment. 

Among the key concerns raised in community feedback are questions of equity, safety, infrastructure, and cultural identity. Some neighbors express anxiety over traffic, safety, and disorder around the existing site, while others worry that moving the fair would damage tradition and accessibility. 

Economic projections are large but uncertain: some estimates suggest redevelopment could generate $2-4 billion in economic activity. However, many of the gains may be temporary, and much depends on what gets built, who controls funding, and how local residents are included in planning and benefits.

The Governor has set a deadline to decide on the fair’s status that coincides with the upcoming legislative session, which adds pressure to the process. While changes are likely in the coming year, any relocation or major redevelopment will take several more years to implement. 

In this interview, Nancy Locke, the Principal-in-Charge of the State Fair master planning team lays out the options, explains how community voices are being incorporated, and describes what to watch for in the final plan.

Could you give us a high-level overview of the master planning process for the State Fairgrounds?

The master plan will provide the State with a path forward for the 236-acre property, with a focus on redefining the space as a vibrant, year-round destination and regional economic catalyst. Once complete, the master plan will offer the State with multiple options on how the fairgrounds can better serve the neighborhood, community, city, and state. The master planning process has three phases. The first is “Discovery” where we assess existing conditions, including the Fair facilities and operations, the fairgrounds site and the neighborhood context. We are preparing a market analysis looking at a variety of potential uses of the site including enhancements to the Fair, if the Fair ends up staying at this location.  And, importantly, we are meeting with the community and gaining an understanding of needs, concerns, desires and opportunities. As we sort through what we have learned in this phase, we will better understand challenges, opportunities, and potential uses for the future fairgrounds.

The State has implored everyone to “think big” in imagining the future fairgrounds. During the second phase we begin to develop “what if” ideas where we quickly explore multiple visions for the site. Working with the community and their feedback, we will narrow this down to three alternatives, refine those and ultimately select a preferred alternative. There are a few variables we have been asked to consider – the Fair and the Racino, and do these uses remain or relocate. Every alternative will consider the capital costs and economic impact.

The final phase will create an implementation plan that will identify future phasing, supporting policy recommendations and capital funding.

Dial in on community engagement–what are the opportunities for stakeholders to engage in the planning process?

Gratefully, community engagement is not an afterthought in this particular master planning project. From the beginning, the Governor was very clear that she wanted to hear from everybody. The website for the overall State Fairgrounds District, including master planning, is fairgroundsdistrict.nm.gov. From there, the public is able to follow along with our work, as well as have access to numerous other resources relating to the Fairgrounds and the surrounding communities, as well as an FAQ section that we’ll continue to update. There are also two community surveys and a form to pass along information and suggestions to the master planning team. Finally, we’re hosting three community meetings between now and the end of the year that are open to the public. Information on those meetings, as well as meetings of the Fairgrounds District Board, will be posted on the website.

What is the current status of the project, and what are the next milestones we should expect?

We are wrapping up the first phase of the master plan and will be sharing our findings in an upcoming public meeting. From there we will move into the visioning process and start bringing together what we have heard from the community with what we learned in the discovery process. We anticipate looking at alternatives in October and a preferred plan in November.

What has been the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned about the property and its history or role in the community?

Great question! Some of the facilities at the fairgrounds are quite impressive. The old adobe construction, the carved wood beams, the beautiful tree-lined Main Street – these combine to create a special place and the heart of the fairgrounds. For many people in the community, many of life’s important moments have happened here – weddings, quinceañeras, or graduations. However, areas at the perimeter - along San Pedro, Lomas, Louisiana and Central – are less beloved. Beyond the walls of the fairgrounds are narrow sidewalks, fast moving traffic, few pedestrian crossings, very little shade and a lot of vacant storefronts. There’s a lot of opportunity ahead in better connecting the neighborhoods and the fairgrounds!

How can small businesses along the Main Street corridor contribute to the master planning process?

The success of any future development on the fairgrounds is tied to the success of the surrounding neighborhoods and business community. Understanding from these small businesses what they see as current challenges and how changes at the fairgrounds can help address these challenges is important. We encourage small business to take the surveys, attend the meetings, and be sure to offer thoughtful input through representatives on the Stakeholder Committee, including Adrian Carver from the Revitalize San Pedro Partnership, and through the city, county, and state elected officials on the Fairgrounds District Board.