Could a performing arts center be coming to Downtown? Here's what we know
City councilors voted unanimously on March 3 to place a measure on the ballot that would eliminate Section 7 of the city charter, which prohibits allocating funds exceeding $10 million to a performing arts center without voter approval. If voters choose to remove the section, they will open the door for the city to fund a performing arts center without requiring residents to vote on it.
"It's such a weird novelty — to have this essentially in our city's constitution specifically pointing out one type of project," Councilor Joaquín Baca said at the last council meeting. He said he introduced the measure because it is an odd clause to have in the charter, and he feels a performing arts center could benefit Downtown.
"If I had my way, king of the day and plenty of funds, I'd throw up a high-rise with a performing arts center there," Baca told the Journal, referring to a parking lot just north of Civic Plaza.
History of the charter
Voters added Section 7 to the city charter during a special election in March 1991.
"There were people who opposed the idea of a performing arts center anywhere because it was seen to be elite and an unnecessary public expenditure," said David Campbell, who served as city attorney from 1989 to 1993.
The idea for a performing arts center was floated around the same time as the quarter-cent quality of life tax, which helped fund the city's zoo, balloon museum, aquarium, botanic garden and the Explora Science Center, he said.
"However, the notion of a performing arts center was mired in controversy, both the need for it as well as any potential location of it," Campbell said. "As a consequence, one of the opponent groups circulated petitions to put this charter amendment on the municipal ballot to assure into the future that their view to not build a performing arts center would prevail."
On Aug. 5, 1991, the charter was amended on a unanimous council vote accompanied by the signature of Mayor Louis Saavedra, according to records from the city clerk's office.
Three and a half decades later, Campbell is hopeful a performing arts center is coming to Downtown, adding he's a board member of the New Mexico Philharmonic, which is hoping the project comes to fruition.
"I think it is long overdue, frankly. We should have done it 34 years ago," Campbell said. "I believe that a great town like Albuquerque needs to have a great venue for showing its performances, and better that it be Downtown and be a catalyst for the Downtown redevelopment that we're all hoping for."
Alan Armijo served on the City Council from 1989 to 2001 and recalls the performing arts issue as partisan.
"It broke down to the Republicans being against it, and finally, one of the Democrats also ... just because of a lot of the pressure," Armijo said.
He believes that the charter can be repealed this year.
"From what I gather, it's hard to say, but I think there are a lot of people, especially in the arts community, that would be in favor," Armijo said.
There are several performing arts venues in and around Albuquerque, including the Albuquerque Little Theatre west of Downtown, Rodey Theatre and Popejoy Hall on the University of New Mexico campus, the African American Performing Arts Center on the state fairgrounds and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
"I joke that ... the only thing people in Albuquerque hate more than the status quo is change," Baca said. "I think we're past that. I think people are ready for more; just through my interactions, talking, the status quo isn't OK anymore."
When it comes to recently built performing arts centers across the country, the cost has often surpassed $10 million. The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center opened in suburban St. Louis in 2021, accruing some $24 million in costs. In Greensboro, North Carolina, the Tanger Center opened in 2020 with a $93 million price tag, and in San Antonio, Texas, the Tobin Center opened in 2014, costing over $200 million.
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