I don’t have many of the details. However, William Dodge, vice chairman of the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission at the City of Albuquerque, confirmed to me this morning that the panel voted 7-0 Wednesday night to again designate El Vado Motel as a City Landmark.
Dodge told me the hearing lasted five hours, and that many people testified there.
The designation provides vital protection for the historic Route 66 property from redevelopment. El Vado had been previously designated a City Landmark, but it was overturned on a technicality.
The designation moves on to the City Council for final approval. The Council has 75 days to act on the designation.
The Commission also had an application for a demolition permit for the motel. However, that item is deferred until the City Council decides on the Landmark designation.
Thanks to everyone who wrote letters and e-mails to the Commission in support of El Vado. They made a big impact last time, and they undoubtedly did so again.
It’s pretty cool, and surprising, to see the tide [mostly] turning and public officials realizing the benefits to preserving automobile-related resources.
Excellent! Do we need to follow up with another barrage of letters to the City Council, thanking them for their support last time and encouraging them to keep up the good work?
It seems like Albuquerque has a decent sytem to put the brakes on such demolitions, at least until public feedback is heard. I wonder how it compares to the average city of its size in this respect?
That’s great news!
Great news! Thanks, Ron, for keeping us posted about this ongoing saga. It would be interesting to know who (other than the developer) spoke against the designation and what they had to say. I’ll check the ABQ papers.
Cudos AGAIN to the City of Albuquerque! Hopefully, other cities on the route will take this action as inspiration and follow suit when the icons of the Mother Road in their towns are under attack! I concur with Emily–we asked, they responded, and we need to let them know how appreciative we are…Tsingtao, Kip
That’s terrific!