ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The city hoped it would be ready in time for thousands of people to come to town for Balloon Fiesta, but now, the Sunport said its big new food court is still weeks away from opening up. “We’re just racing to the finish line,” said Leah Black, Outreach and Marketing Manager for […]
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The city hoped it would be ready in time for thousands of people to come to town for Balloon Fiesta, but now, the Sunport said its big new food court is still weeks away from opening up. “We’re just racing to the finish line,” said Leah Black, Outreach and Marketing Manager for the Albuquerque International Sunport.
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Busy is just one way to describe a year full of overhauls at the Sunport as the city works to finish one of its most important multi-million-dollar projects. That project is a brand-new food hall that they hoped to open before Balloon Fiesta, but that hope is looking unlikely, as heavy construction continues just days away from the state’s biggest event.
“Whether it’s a house or a giant building, especially when they’re older and historic and have seen lots of decades- the best of intentions happen, you open the walls and you find a gas line you didn’t know about, or plumbing or electrical that needs to be rerouted,” Black explained.
Product shipping delays and unexpected construction setbacks are causing the delay. Though visitors won’t be able to experience the Sunport’s 16 newest eateries, the city said the delays aren’t costing them any more money.
“Unfortunately, as you open walls in these old buildings, you find things and it causes delays,” Black said.
Instead of a grand opening for the entire new area, the Sunport is now planning to unveil two to three at a time. The first will come this weekend with the new Black Mesa Cafe. Some flyers hope the wait will be worth it. “Anything green chile,” said Rudy Martinez, an Albuquerque resident who landed Monday afternoon. “Being a resident now for as long as I have, I’ve gotten used to it; so, as long as they have that on their menu, I’m happy with it.”
There are still a few food spaces open amid the construction which flyers and visitors will recognize. The Sunport is now expecting the new food spaces to open around Christmas but could be extended into the New Year.