TODAY NEW MEXICANS HAD A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON PLANS TO BUILD A NEW MULTI MILLION DOLLAR CASINO AT THE STATE FAIR GROUNDS. THE NEW 40 THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT CASINO WOULD GO IN JUST SOUTH OF THE RACETRACK - NEAR THE CORNER OF CENTRAL AND LOUISIANA... IT WOULD HAVE 600 SLOT MACHINES. THE CASINO WOULD ALSO PAY TWO MILLION MORE A YEAR TO RENT THE SPACE. THE LEASE WOULD BE GOOD FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS WITH AN OPTION TO GO 40 YEARS. FAIR COMMISSIONERS HEARD FROM TAXPAYERS BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THE CASINO. "The State Fair and the racino and its operations continue to draw tourists to the state of New Mexico which is one of the cheapest ways to create income within our state." BUT FAIRGROUNDS NEIGHBORS EXPRESSED WORRIES ABOUT TRAFFIC CONGESTION - PARKING -AND STREET CRIME. UNDER THE PLAN THE DOWNS WOULD BUILD THE CASINO - BUT THE FAIR WOULD OWN IT. THERE WAS NO VOTE TODAY - BUT IF COMMISSIONERS APPROVE THE PROPOSAL - IT WILL THEN GO TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
