The audit findings recently released regarding EXPO New Mexico presents still more documentation of the mismanagement and lack of vision and leadership that have plagued one of New Mexico’s most valuable “commons” for at least the last several years.
How can we, as responsible citizens, continue to stand by and do nothing about the misuse of this public asset, an asset that has become a financial millstone around our collective necks? Shouldn’t this 236-acre resource that is so strategically located in the middle of the State’s largest city and in the middle of our State be the “pearl” of New Mexico, a thriving site that provides a year-round venue where citizens can gather to recreate, relax and enjoy some respite from today’s pace of life?
Where is the vision, leadership and competent management required to effectively “re-envision” the State Fair Grounds and lead our State toward the manifestation of a “commons” we can all be proud of and an asset that actualizes its true potential value?
It seems obvious that nothing constructive or viable is going to happen within the current structure that consistently produces results such as the following classic symptoms of mismanagement that were noted in Charles D. Brunt’s 4/19/14 Albuquerque Journal article (“Audit: Expo ‘Operationally Insolvent”):
- “The State Fair Commission never approved the hiring of the Expo General Manager.” Who’s in charge here?
- “Expo posted an operating loss of $2.47 million last year, even more than the prior year.” The continuing decline in revenues is an unsustainable trend that is frittering away valuable resources that New Mexico simply cannot afford.
- “Expo’s operating revenues decreased by more than $1.68 million last year compared to the prior fiscal year.” This is clearly a sign of a dying enterprise.
- “The State continues to provide capital outlay money to maintain & improve its aging facilities.” This expense will undoubtedly increase over time as these facilities continue to age.
- “Expo’s consistent inability to generate revenues that outpace its expenditures threatens Expo’s long-term economic viability.” Perhaps it’s time to consider the possibility that we are trying to resuscitate a 19th or 20th Century concept of a State Fair Grounds that is no longer viable in the 21st Century.
- “Expo has been operating in the red for years.” Unfortunately this seems to have become the “default expectation” for this hugely valuable public resource.
- “Expo was unable to provide invoices or proofs of receipts for nearly $283,000 worth of in-kind sponsorships meaning there is no way to prove whether Expo received contracted goods or services.” Where is the required oversight for this operation?
- “The auditors could not accurately determine the true value of all of Expo’s capital assets because Expo failed to assign them a value or prove the costs of those acquisitions.” No viable enterprise can survive with this kind of amateurish management.
The situation at Expo New Mexico is obviously continuing to erode and needs intervention now.
Fortunately there are solutions that could actually lead to this 236-acre “pearl” becoming a strong and powerful economic generator for the State, the County and the City of Albuquerque. Not only could there be a major shift in the economics of EXPO, this valuable resource could also become a year-round venue for ALL citizens of New Mexico, where children, adults & senior citizens could recreate, relax and enjoy the true beauty of New Mexico, right in the middle of the State’s major city.
What if a group of New Mexico citizens from around the State and the neighborhoods surrounding the State Fair Grounds were to be charged with the responsibility and authority to:
- Re-envision the use of these 236 acres to something more suitable for the
21st Century
- Develop a contemporary “vision” that would focus on “sustainability” where
citizens could learn about “sustainable living”
- Design a park, akin to Central Park of New York City, a major year-round
economic magnet for NYC, with a focus on where our food comes from,
water quality and usage and other essential sustainability matters, i.e. a
beautiful park that models these values
- Eliminate the walls and barbed wire currently surrounding Expo, thereby
opening up the “commons” to all citizens
- Create an “economic zone” surrounding Expo that would stimulate small,
sustainability-oriented businesses, sidewalk cafes & other enterprises as
well as mixed-use housing, a plan that could generate jobs and tax revenue
for the State, County & City, thereby making a major economic
contribution rather than EXPO’s current malingering as an aging,
mismanaged financial drain
- Develop, in cooperation with relevant agencies and neighborhoods, a youth
center/pavilion designed to help children and teens learn basic life skills
and gain other knowledge essential to becoming good citizens
- Develop options and alternatives for relocation of the carnival component
of the State Fair
- Develop a strategy that would be inspiring and acceptable to the NM State
Legislature, the Governor, the County Commission, the Albuquerque City
Council, the Mayor of Albuquerque and the rest of our political leaders as
well as other stakeholders from around the State.
The possibilities are truly remarkable in terms of the potential for substantially improving the quality of life for the citizens of New Mexico while eliminating the prostitution and escalated crime rate that the current, obsolete version of a State Fair attracts each year, not to mention the drain that the continually eroding EXPO New Mexico financial status is on our State, County & Municipal resources.
All of this could become a reality. Other cities and states are well on their way toward developing similar concepts and ideas. There is no reason that New Mexico needs to be at the bottom of any more lists in terms of contemporary urban design & development, sustainable living education and other essential components of 21st Century living. A dynamic undertaking such as this could truly put New Mexico at the top of a list of innovative urban initiatives.
However, this is possible ONLY if you let your voice be heard by encouraging our State & Federal Legislators, Governor, County Commissioners, Albuquerque City Council & Mayor and others to move beyond their all too long “stuck” positions regarding EXPO New Mexico and simply watching a multi-million dollar asset continue to erode.
Let’s all speak up and encourage our leaders to get behind what we know is possible. Let’s coalesce around what could become a truly exciting and truly worthy undertaking.
(Photo by Lee Ruk)
Responses to “There Must be a Better Idea for Expo New Mexico”