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Submitted by Leslie Van Pelt, Corrales resident
In response to Ken Duckert’s Commentary on January 25, 2024 issue of the Corrales Comment, Considering the Operational Costs of the Multi-Use Facility, no data was presented to show that revenues generated by the facility would even begin to cover the potential $350,000 in operational costs. Music in Corrales pays the Old Church $300 per concert, so if they do 8 concerts per year that is only $2,400 per year. Corrales Elementary will soon have its own auditorium. Adobe Theatre pays $50,000 for their lease on 4th Street. The handful of other non-profits mentioned might generate minimal income, if any at all. Therefore, if user fees for the auditorium are expected to be the primary source of income, as the letter mentions, they fall very short even with grants and donations. Will the Villagers need to underwrite it with raised taxes? Will the Village be stuck with a costly, oversized, underused building that is a drain on Village coffers? Could the $8M in construction costs that the Village is planning to ask for in state, county and federal grants be better requested for other needs?
Duckert’s commentary didn’t address the increased noise, light and vehicle pollution, all concerns for residents. Were those concerns in any survey? The MUF will increase traffic on already overloaded Corrales Road. Estimates of how many performances, rehearsals and other events at the MUF that will occur in a given time period would be helpful for traffic counts. Additionally, with the new gym, Sandia Bar changes, a new private event center on Corrales Road and significant expansion of Corrales Elementary, traffic will increase even more. According to the recent Comprehensive Plan survey increased traffic would be detrimental to the quality of life in Corrales and the small-town character would be lost by having large numbers of non-residents further congesting Corrales Road.
Leslie Van Pelt
Corrales
Many of us are getting older and it would be wonderful not to have to drive out of Corrales to attend the theatre and drive several miles back late at night. Adobe is a perfect alternative. I think it is more likely that most of those attending would be from Corrales and wouldn’t it be nice to provide a professional theatre for those of us who live here?