Mayor Richard J. Berry released the Fiscal Year 2011 budget noting that if the $10.2 million in salary reductions are not realized, other cuts and eliminations might be implemented, including shutting down the city’s iconic Balloon Museum. Source: http://www.cabq.gov/mayor/news/mayor-berry-balances-fy11-budget
How does a city that hosts the fabled Balloon Fiesta shut down the museum that focuses and described these wondrous balloons
See the slideshow below of our wonderful Balloon Fiesta.
There’s a lot of ways to save money. But there are a few that seem to be like shooting yourself in the foot. Ending health care for children (as Arizona tried to do), laying off teachers, fire fighters and police officers (many states are considering and implementing), and ending things that attract tourists.
In my humble opinion, Albuquerque needs to raise its tourist profile. The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau does a wonderful job, I can’t applaud them enough. But the city has to do its part too. By making sure there are things for tourists to do.
Recently friends visited from New York. They had been to Santa Fe several times and loved that city. As they should. It is a great tourist destination. But because I live in Albuquerque, for the first time, they spent a few days in Duke City. And loved it - Old Town, the shopping in Downtown, and especially the museums of Museum Row.
Perhaps the problem with the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum isn’t the museum at all. Perhaps its just being too heavily subsidized by the city to keep the admission low, and it’s in the wrong part of town for a tourist destination.
The Balloon Museum recreates ballooning history. It holds the Soukup and Thomas International Balloon and Airship Museum collection, donated to the City of Albuquerque through the City of Mitchell, South Dakota in 2000. Highlights include more than fifty historic and contemporary gondolas, many accompanied by complete balloon systems.
It is a marvel filled place. Closing it would be very short-sighted. What it needs is to become more of a tourist destination. Perhaps the city needs to consider how to make the most of one of its highlights.
And while that’s happening, consider ways to make it easier for tourists to visit.
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Comments
thanks for this important piece Neala
We have a wonderful balloon festival here in Louisville (associated with the Kentucky Derby) but it is always listed as second best in comparison to Albuquerque's festival. It seems a shame to try and kill off a festival that is sure to drive tourism and tourism dollars.
Did know about the festival but didn't know about the museum. Thanks.
Just to be clear - the festival is not in danger. It's the museum that has not been able to cover its own expenses and may be closed.
The balloon fiesta is a money-maker :)
I once went to a private party there - it's a very fabulous and impressive and beautiful and interesting place to hold a party. Maybe that's one way to keep it 'afloat.'
If you are going to make sense here ...
Politicians need to start thinking like statesmen and take the long term view of things. Shutting down attractions will only cause bemoaning of lost tourist income.
I wish you well.
It must be something in NM's water- they do furlough days on holiday weekends and close the museums- I think they realized they needed to keep the State Parks open. If it brings in money, con't close it.
I mentioned this in my latest Examiner column. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I had already thought it was not a good idea to put the museum so far from the other museums. Folks only visit it during the festival and that is crazy.
You have got to out of your mind if you think that closing this incredible museum is a good thing. Ballooning has such a strong heritage in Albuquerque it is almost the face of Albuquerque. Politions need to keep out of places like this and stick to better ways to make cuts. no I do not have the answers but THIS is NOT the answer. Please to New Mexico a favor and keep this museun open. Not only that but throw MORE money at it. Advertise it better. I don't care but keep it open.
Neala,
I am a pilot and if Balloon Museum closes, it closes. You did not give any links to document your so called claims as to what the Mayor Berry stated. Right now it is heresay, if you are so up in arms that the Anderson Abruzzo Museum is going to close, call Patsy Anderson and Richard Abruzzo to donate money to keep it open. They lobbied Martin Chavez for government funds to get the Museum in the first place. Richard Abruzzo owns Sandia Ski Park, Patsy and Michael Anderson own Anderson Vineyards, the Shops on Rio Grande and many other properties. You may want to go after them. Get your facts straight before you malign people. You want to report, then report according to facts.
I am a balloon pilot and have been in the museum many times. it is a great place, but i think they went way overboard on the cost. i was told 75 million to build it. the issue for sure is that it's location is totally wrong except for fiesta week. tourists are not going to want to go out to that desolate area to see it. Fiesta has become a massive, bloated, corporate machine, not even a shadow of the fun race it was a decade or so ago. I
flyvie - you're right - there is a document and I should have linked to it. My mistake. I'll correct it.
www.cabq.gov/mayor/news/mayor-berry-balances-fy11-budget
it's about halfway down the page.
There is nothing quite so exhilarating as a balloon ride. Haven't done it in New Mexico but have done it in Cappadocia, Turkey. Albuquerque is closer! Something to consider.
The document at the city's website does not state it will definitely close the museum. The mayor is using this threat, along with several others, which you failed to note, in order to get his budget through.
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