Wal-Mart Takes One For Albuquerque's Annual Balloon Fiesta | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Mon, Apr 09, 2007

Wal-Mart Takes One For Albuquerque's Annual Balloon Fiesta

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.

FMI: www.balloonfiesta.com, www.cabq.gov/council, www.walmartfacts.com

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Aviat A1

Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.08.25)

Aero Linx: British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) The primary focus within all aviation activity is SAFETY. In all aspects of our sport SAFETY must come first, whether it b>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Fly Corvair’s Reliable Engine Alternative

From SnF25 (YouTube Edition): William Wynne Builds Practical Aircraft Engines on the Corvair Platform Seeking an affordable alternative to the traditional aircraft engine options, >[...]

ANN FAQ: Contributing To Aero-TV

How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: CiES Fuel-Quantity and e-Throttle Systems Praised

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Bridge of CiES CiES Inc. is a Bend, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of modular embedded aircraft systems and sensors. The company’s fuel-l>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC