The EGOS was created in 1960 after residents voted in favor of increasing taxes to fund the project. Strict rules were included in the deed to keep the area undeveloped and pristine. This was the development that led to the creation of Albuquerque’s Open Space Program.
The CABQ ran a feasibility study to see if an education center could be built on EGOS’s land. The study identified six potential sites that could be used to build the educational center and the proposal was presented on a context map. Graphic design can be used to visualize proposed developments in cases like this.
A meeting was held to get public input on the project, where half (50%) of the people who responded opposed the development. A non-profit organization called Save The Elena Gallegos was created in order to pressure the CABQ into respecting the Land Use Restrictions included in the deed. Dave Simon from the Parks and Recreation Department commented:
“There are ways of assembling an environmental education facility that’s different from what we have there now and still be consistent with the deed.”
Simon also pointed out the building could be built in a part of EGOS that has already been developed. He also feels that educating people about open spaces would help to conserve them.