Council move to shift $500,000 from Rail Trail to West Side sports complex draws public criticism and conflicting staff statements

The City of Albuquerque moved $500,000 from the Downtown Rail Trail to the Ken Sanchez Indoor Sports Complex through a previous “cleanup” bonding bill, and staff later added roughly another $500,000 from bond interest, city officials said. The reallocation prompted a wave of public comment calling for the money to be returned to the rail trail and produced contradictory statements from the administration about whether the Trail remains fully funded.

Why it matters: Public speakers, bicycling advocates and several councilors said the change undermines trust, could delay the multi‑phase Rail Trail project and sends a poor signal to state funders. Administration staff said the West Side complex is now fully funded, and that no state funds were moved; the chief administrative officer said the Rail Trail still faces cost pressures and is not fully funded for all planned phases.

Public comment and council response came during general public comment and an exchange later in the meeting. Resident Andrew Kelleher opened the public complaints, saying, “I am speaking here today to register some disappointment in the Council’s recent decision to appropriate funds away from the veil trail…