It’s vague on plans for the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque, but a city official indicated that preservation would be a priority in whatever redevelopment plan comes forward, according to a report this weekend in the Albuquerque Journal. Ben Ortega of the city’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency is set to propose to the city council … Continue reading El Vado seen as catalyst for area redevelopment

Duke City Fix, a prominent community blog based on Albuquerque, has picked up the story about Richard Gonzales still trying to tear down the historic El Vado Motel.  A lively discussion (pro and con) has resulted in the comments section. But at least the management of Duke City Fix has landed square on El Vado’s … Continue reading Albuquerque blog reports on El Vado situation

The Albuquerque Journal has picked up the story about owner Richard Gonzales filing an application to demolish the historic El Vado Motel. Much of the backstory has already been covered on this site. But there’s this excerpt: To get the demolition permit, Gonzales will have to show the city Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission that … Continue reading Media picks up on El Vado story

Big news out of Albuquerque: The city has chosen a developer to renovate the historic De Anza Motor Lodge on Route 66 (shown above in a vintage postcard), according to the New Mexico Business Weekly. The city purchased the motel three years ago for $1 million in the hopes a developer would come in and … Continue reading Firm chosen to restore De Anza motel

A few weeks ago, Richard L. Gonzales filed for a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque. At the time, I expressed doubts such a certificate would be issued. That opinion has been reinforced after I received a report by Maryellen Hennessy, the city’s senior planner for the Landmarks … Continue reading El Vado demolition permit will likely be rejected

Last we heard, La Posada de Albuquerque, which was closed for renovations in 2005, was going to reopen sometime in spring 2007. Now it looks like the reopening isn’t going to happen anytime soon. According to Duke City Fix,  owner Gary Goodman is asking the city for $9 million in industrial revenue bonds to continue … Continue reading La Posada de Albuquerque will be closed a while longer

The City of Albuquerque’s Landmarks and Urban Commission held a hearing for 3 1/2 hours Wednesday, but no decision was made about whether to allow a demolition permit for the historic Route 66 motel, according to the Albuquerque Tribune. The commission will hold another meeting Jan. 10 to hear more witnesses and testimony. Based on … Continue reading El Vado’s fate remains in limbo

Following a discussion about preserving historic Route 66 motels on the Albuquerque blog Duke City Fix, contributor Arizona Phil found this fascinating Albuquerque Journal story about developers converting the old Cactus Motel, along old Route 66 in Santa Fe, into the Cactus Centro business center. The anchor is the Sun Loan Company, where the former … Continue reading Re-use of a historic Route 66 motel

Johnny Meier, a longtime member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, attended the recent hearing regarding the demolition application of El Vado Motel in Albuquerque. Here are excerpts from an e-mail of his thoughts: The projected income was argued by the developer to be considered as an unreasonable rate of return given the cost … Continue reading Thoughts on El Vado hearing