Councilors looking to cut 'Plan' items

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Like the Paseo and I-25 overhaul, sprucing up the Bosque is part of Mayor R.J. Berry's ABQ: The Plan.

A proposal by two councilors would eliminate funding from the city's general obligation bond program for two items key to the mayor's plan.

The amendment package, proposed by councilors Dan Lewis and Don Harris, would reallocate $3.25 million in bond funding from trail development and Bosque renovations.

"I wouldn't say in any way it's in opposition to any of these proposals," Lewis told KRQE News 13. "I think it's, 'hey, let's look and have an honest conversation and look at the best way to fund it and the best timing for it."

Lewis says the Bosque projects are still conceptual, and aren't ready yet for construction. He says cutting those two line items, as well as $2.5 million for widening Osuna, provides funding for other projects.

"The capital program has been reduced by millions of dollars from previous capital programs," Lewis said.

"We have some immediate needs. We have some needs that have to do with road infrastructure, with parks on the West Side, with roads and parks throughout the whole city."

The amendments also increase funding for Affordable Housing, Animal Welfare, and for acquiring more open space land.

The mayor's office declined to comment until after the council meeting on Monday.

If approved, the 110 to 115 million dollar bond program will go before voters in the October city election as a series of bond questions.