OLD RAIL YARD TO BE FILM COMPLEX

One of the most intriquing historic areas of ABQ is the old railroad yard in the Barleas District just east of downtown. Over the last few years many ideas have been proposed for it's restoration and use, but today the announcement was made that ABQ Studios rent the area from the city indefinitely to develop it as a film complex. ABQ Studios now has it's new sound stages at the Mesa Del Sol area south of the airport. Nick Smerigan, COO of the Studios, is effusive in his excitement about the possibilities at this 27-acre sute. "It's one of the coolest things I saw when I got off the plane. It's beautiful and can be used for so much." His studio recently filmed major movies including "Game", "The Spirit" and the pilot for the new "Terminator" series.