The City of Albuquerque shut down the Loma Verde Motel last week because of poor living conditions for its tenants and persistent crime.
KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reported:
“We knew there would be lots of problems, but it was beyond what we even imagined,” said Alan Varela, the director of the Planning Department for the city of Albuquerque. “Holes in walls, exposed electrical wiring, non-working heaters within most of the rooms. Just one problem after another. Mold on the ceilings, you name it, conditions that nobody should be living in, and that no property owner, frankly, should be allowed to exist on their property.“
On top of that, some rooms had non-functional plumbing.
“People were just doing what they need to do in the back and so forth. This place was literally disgusting. And they were also preying on people here,” said Mayor Tim Keller.
Tenants, including older people, long-term residents and families, were paying between $896 to $1,300 a month for rent.
Here is the video report by the station:
Albuquerque Community Safety contacted the 19 people living there and found safe housing for those who wanted it. Animal welfare officials also took 19 animals into custody, including 14 from one room.
KOB-TV reported that local police were called to the Route 66 motel 150 times in the past year, including two homicides.
City officials told KRQE-TV they were unsure what would happen to the property.
The motel at 7503 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) was built as a 12-unit lodging establishment in 1950 as Loma Verde Court by Oscar Stephens. It became Loma Verde Motel after he died in the early 1960s.
(Image of the Loma Verde Motel sign in 2013 by Thomas Hawk via Flickr)