ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A task force is recommending buying land to expand potential landing sites for the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the task force's findings are at the center of a resolution that Albuquerque City councilors are expected to pass Monday.
The resolution would authorize a working group to carry out recommendations from the Balloon Landing Task Force. Among them is spending potentially as much as $70 million on a vast tract of land that could also serve as a sports practice field or a recreational venue.
Other suggestions from the group include revamping parking lots on private properties by relocating trees, light poles and other features. That alone could cost more than $31,000 per acre.
The task force also recommends snapping up small- and medium-sized sites that could be transformed into landing sites as well as sports practice fields.
Another idea would be to broaden the Fiesta's X Marks the Spot program where private owners can mark their property as a safe place for balloonists to land.
Paul Smith, Balloon Fiesta executive director, is on the task force which has spent the past two years reviewing the issue. Smith says getting enough landowners on board would secure the hot air balloon festival's future.
