The city of Albuquerque is currently undertaking construction on the Rail Trail, a project aimed at connecting parts of the city around Downtown. On March 3, the Albuquerque City Council made a significant decision to override Mayor Tim Keller’s veto concerning the reallocation of funds from this project.

The council voted 8-1 in favor of reallocating $500,000 back to the Rail Trail and an additional $500,000 to the Ken Sanchez Westside Indoor Sports Complex. This decision highlights the council's belief that both projects could benefit from this funding.

Councilor Joaquín Baca, representing Downtown, expressed optimism about managing both initiatives effectively. "We can work this out," Baca stated. "I don’t think we didn’t need to go this far in terms of how much time and energy was put into this."

Mayor Keller had initially vetoed the council's proposal on February 20, opposing the movement of funds between projects. He expressed his stance by stating, “I do not support taking funding away from a project already under construction. I stand with our community and am exercising my line-item veto authority to keep Rail Trail progress on track." Despite his opposition, he affirmed his commitment to collaborating with the City Council to ensure funding for both projects.

The Rail Trail aims to connect neighborhoods and provide safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists while also fostering economic development through its design and ongoing construction efforts in areas like Central crossing and Sawmill district. The Chamber has been a consistent supporter of this project due to its potential benefits for revitalizing local areas.

Mayor Keller emphasized his support for both projects by stating they are initiatives he has championed since their inception: “We will continue to work with the City Council to secure funding for both the Rail Trail and the Indoor Sports Complex.”