incentives package for albuquerque topgolf project opposed

Plans for the construction of a $39 million indoor golf complex in Albuquerque have taken a hit with the potential loss of a $2.6 million economic development package.

In a statement, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced he was vetoing the package approved in June by members of the City Council, saying the project “failed to meet our criteria for growing the local economy and creating good paying jobs.”

The Dallas-based TopGolf had announced plans earlier this year to build at the southwest corner of Montano Road NE and Interstate 25.

That site is the former home of the Beach Waterpark, but has been vacant for more than 10 years.

As planned, the TopGolf Albuquerque complex would feature 72 hitting bays in a three-level structure, with restaurant, bar, and meeting room space.

To spur construction of the project, Top Golf officials have pursued economic development support emphasizing tax incentive features, just recently securing a $1.7 million package through the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners.

In his veto statement, Keller also said that the City Council’s $2.6 million package “sends the wrong signal that we are prioritizing out-of-state companies over similar local efforts.”

As approved by the City Council, the TopGolf package required the City of Albuquerque to reimburse up to $1.8 million in incremental gross receipts tax revenue.

By so doing, TopGolf would be able to significantly lessen the cost of buying the land for the project, putting in its infrastructure, and building the complex itself.

Because the City Council approved the TopGolf incentives package on an 8 to 1 vote, there is a strong possibility that Keller’s veto will be overridden, an action requiring only 6 votes.

By Garry Boulard