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Balloon Fiesta Park could be back in play as the site for a potential New Mexico United stadium — “could” being the key word.
The New Mexico Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling Tuesday that tossed aside three neighborhood associations’ petition to halt the sports venue’s construction, three years after Balloon Fiesta Park was initially selected.
The Wildflower, Maria Diers and North Edith Corridor neighborhood associations, along with Larry Caudill, Harry “Pat” Hauser and Tina Villegas, the organizations’ respective presidents, had taken issue with the process Albuquerque used to approve the stadium project, claiming it would lead to potential light and noise pollution, as well as impact local traffic.
That leaves the neighborhood associations with the option to appeal — again. This time to the state Supreme Court.
United declined comment on the Court of Appeals’ decision.
Hessell Yntema III, the attorney for the neighborhood associations, also declined comment, other than to say, “I can’t talk now. Thanks. Bye.”
A message was left for Hauser, the president of the Maria Diers Neighborhood Association. Hauser, on behalf of Maria Diers, also filed an appeal regarding the construction of a mosque in the North Valley. That appeal was denied at the beginning of July.
United, which has subleased Isotopes Park from the Albuquerque Isotopes since 2019, has long sought a permanent home, both from a financial standpoint and requirements set by the USL Championship that clubs must be their stadium’s primary tenant.
Chosen in 2023, Balloon Fiesta Park was the second proposed site for a United stadium after a Downtown proposal — publicly funded — was voted down two years prior. The Balloon Fiesta plans call for United to privately fund the $30 million facility, with the state allocating nearly $14 million to improve the park’s infrastructure.
The city’s Environmental Planning Commission approved the project in April 2024 and that decision was upheld by the land use office that July despite the neighborhood associations’ complaints.
The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-1 to deny the neighborhood associations’ appeal in August 2024, leading the associations to file suit in district court. That appeal was thrown out in July 2025 and led to another attempt in the Court of Appeals.
United has been unable to start constructing a stadium because of the legal entanglements. All of which prompted United to turn its attention elsewhere.
In May, United President Ron Patel said the club considered the proposed redevelopment of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds as its “first choice right now” for a stadium. United was just waiting on the go-ahead to secure a bid to be the primary tenant.
Patel said the state wanted to try to break ground this year.
Tuesday’s ruling could change that. Or at least United’s thinking, depending on the associations’ action.
The neighborhood associations raised six issues from the district court’s decision and two issues “alleging error.”
The Court of Appeals, however, determined that the associations were not entitled to any of the eight points, including that the Environmental Planning Commission had the authority to amend the Balloon Fiesta Park plan, the decision did not violate the Open Meetings Act and that the city and United did not deny the plaintiffs’ due process.
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
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The New Mexico Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling Tuesday that tossed aside three neighborhood associations’ petition to halt the sports venue’s construction, three years after Balloon Fiesta Park was initially selected.
The Wildflower, Maria Diers and North Edith Corridor neighborhood associations, along with Larry Caudill, Harry “Pat” Hauser and Tina Villegas, the organizations’ respective presidents, had taken issue with the process Albuquerque used to approve the stadium project, claiming it would lead to potential light and noise pollution, as well as impact local traffic.
That leaves the neighborhood associations with the option to appeal — again. This time to the state Supreme Court.
United declined comment on the Court of Appeals’ decision.
Hessell Yntema III, the attorney for the neighborhood associations, also declined comment, other than to say, “I can’t talk now. Thanks. Bye.”
A message was left for Hauser, the president of the Maria Diers Neighborhood Association. Hauser, on behalf of Maria Diers, also filed an appeal regarding the construction of a mosque in the North Valley. That appeal was denied at the beginning of July.
United, which has subleased Isotopes Park from the Albuquerque Isotopes since 2019, has long sought a permanent home, both from a financial standpoint and requirements set by the USL Championship that clubs must be their stadium’s primary tenant.
Chosen in 2023, Balloon Fiesta Park was the second proposed site for a United stadium after a Downtown proposal — publicly funded — was voted down two years prior. The Balloon Fiesta plans call for United to privately fund the $30 million facility, with the state allocating nearly $14 million to improve the park’s infrastructure.
The city’s Environmental Planning Commission approved the project in April 2024 and that decision was upheld by the land use office that July despite the neighborhood associations’ complaints.
The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-1 to deny the neighborhood associations’ appeal in August 2024, leading the associations to file suit in district court. That appeal was thrown out in July 2025 and led to another attempt in the Court of Appeals.
United has been unable to start constructing a stadium because of the legal entanglements. All of which prompted United to turn its attention elsewhere.
In May, United President Ron Patel said the club considered the proposed redevelopment of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds as its “first choice right now” for a stadium. United was just waiting on the go-ahead to secure a bid to be the primary tenant.
Patel said the state wanted to try to break ground this year.
Tuesday’s ruling could change that. Or at least United’s thinking, depending on the associations’ action.
The neighborhood associations raised six issues from the district court’s decision and two issues “alleging error.”
The Court of Appeals, however, determined that the associations were not entitled to any of the eight points, including that the Environmental Planning Commission had the authority to amend the Balloon Fiesta Park plan, the decision did not violate the Open Meetings Act and that the city and United did not deny the plaintiffs’ due process.
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
More New Mexico United reading
*
NM United routs Lexington, extends unbeaten streak to nine
A simplified game plan on a short week paid off as New Mexico United tied its season high in scoring with a dominant road win.
*
Match day: New Mexico United at Lexington SC
NMU is on an 8-game unbeaten streak and doing better in road matches
*
For NM United, keeping unbeaten streak intact outweighs USL Cup exit
NMU out on tournament tiebreaker, but win over El Paso means 8 straight without a loss
*
Match day: New Mexico United at El Paso Locomotive FC
NMU still has chance to advance in USL Cup with some help
*
A nice ring: Noël made most of NM United's break by proposing
NMU midfielder popped the question to now-fiancée Kate Levitt on June 26
*
Starr, Mata latest to sign academy contracts with NM United
Albuquerque natives now eligible to play for NMU's first team
*
Nava is healthy and making the most of his chance to showcase his quality for NM United
Albuquerque native has made key plays since entering lineup and enjoying 'every single second of it'
*
Matchday: Oakland Roots SC at New Mexico United
NMU looks to carry first-half momentum into second half of season
*
Winston Starr grew up an NMU fan, now he's scoring goals for them
La Cueva graduate and NMU academy player made the most of his minutes against Atlante FC
*
NM United's Melto finally got an opportunity and he took it
NMU forward scores in his season debut in draw against Atlante FC
Continue reading...
