On Monday, city councilors will vote on whether to approve the sale of up to $100 million in Gross Receipts Tax Improvement Revenue Bonds, to include $15 million to go toward the North Domingo Baca Aquatics Center. The proposal is sponsored by councilors Brook Bassan, Isaac Benton and Dan Lewis and includes amendments to the project list sponsored by Benton and Lewis.
A similar proposal by Bassan and Klarissa Peña was voted down last year by Benton because the timing wouldn’t allow incoming councilors the opportunity to take part in the discussion. Lewis, who was elected in November, is requesting changes to the old proposal that would have provided money toward the Cibola Loop Multigenerational Center. Instead, Lewis wants $15 million to go toward improving the Paseo Del Norte and Unser roads corridor.
Other projects on the list include:
• $20 million for affordable housing
• $15 million for the Westside Public Safety Facility
• $5.5 million for Los Altos Park
• $4 million for the APD Main Police Station
• $4 million for Firestation 12
• $3 million for the West Mesa Aquatic Center
• $3 million for the Loma Linda community Center
• $1.5 million for the Shooting Range Park
• $1 million for the Open Space – Poole Property
• $1 million for Manzano Mesa Pickleball Courts
• $1 million for the Ken Sanchez Indoor Sports Compex
• $500,000 for the McKinley Bike Shop
• $500,000 for Ouray Boulevard improvements
Earlier this year, Bassan said she was trying to secure $15 million for the NDB Aquatics Center to fully fund the $32 million project. She said she hoped to have the project shovel-ready by the end of the year. The project includes a 50-meter Olympic-size indoor swimming pool with warm-up and cool-down lanes and a diving area that can host competitions. The outdoor recreation pool is expected to have water slides, a beach entry and additional lap lanes.
In November voters rejected using $50 million in bond money to build a soccer-specific stadium in the city. Monday’s vote to use bond money for other projects does not have to be approved in a citywide vote, but it does have to pass with a super majority from at least seven councilors.
