The historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque is moving closer to reopening -- probably sometime in May -- after a lengthy redevelopment on the long-closed Route 66 property. While in Albuquerque earlier this week, we dropped by to check on progress on the property, which is being converted into a boutique motel with food pods, … Continue reading El Vado Motel inches closer to reopening
Tag: Albuquerque
VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration
Workers on Wednesday took down the neon sign for the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque to be restored -- one of many steps to rehabilitate the long-closed historic Route 66 property into a boutique motel. Melissa Lea Beasley, president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, wrote in that group's Facebook page: Today the … Continue reading VIDEOS: De Anza Motor Lodge sign taken down for restoration
Route 66 motels may help ease housing shortage in some areas
Old motels -- including those on Route 66 -- are being eyed as a solution for a growing housing shortage in parts of the United States. An article in Bisnow.com cites The Sundowner Motel and the Luna Lodge -- both on Route 66 in Albuquerque -- as examples of once-seedy properties recently converted by New … Continue reading Route 66 motels may help ease housing shortage in some areas
Official: Only 50-50 chance of getting federal money for ART
Albuquerque's chief operating officer said the city has only a "50/50" chance of receiving a $75 million federal grant to help pay for the troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project. Lawrence Rael gave the grim assessment to Albuquerque Journal editors and reports last month, and that getting the money for the new mass-transit project depends on … Continue reading Official: Only 50-50 chance of getting federal money for ART
Desert Sands Motel sign in Albuquerque comes down
Work crews last week removed the sign of the now-defunct Desert Sands Motel in Albuquerque, bringing a sad end to a property used in a scene of the Oscar-winning film "No Country for Old Men." The New Mexico Route 66 Association posted several photos Thursday on its Facebook page of the sign being taken down, … Continue reading Desert Sands Motel sign in Albuquerque comes down
El Vado Motel restoration ‘a few weeks’ from completion
The long process of restoring the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque is just a few weeks from reaching the finish line, according to the president of the project's developer. Last year, officials hoped for a late summer opening. That date got pushed to December. KOB-TV in Albuquerque found out why the project took longer … Continue reading El Vado Motel restoration ‘a few weeks’ from completion
City, state to investigate Albuquerque Rapid Transit
The city of Albuquerque and state of New Mexico this week announced separate investigations into the city's controversial and troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus system. The Albuquerque Journal reported late Wednesday the city's inspector general recently began a review of processes, funding and procedures with in the project. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reported Thursday the state's auditor … Continue reading City, state to investigate Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019
A group of volunteers in Albuquerque has labored for years to restore a Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive that hasn't rolled down a set of tracks in 65 years. With more work and a bit of luck, the locomotive will chug into Las Vegas, New Mexico, about the time the long-closed Castaneda Hotel there reopens … Continue reading Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019
Premiere of “Breaking Bad” marks 10th anniversary
Ten years ago today, the first episode of the acclaimed AMC drama "Breaking Bad" aired. Although "Breaking Bad" -- now considered one of the best dramas in television history -- concluded its run more than four years ago, "Breaking Bad" fans continue to flock to Albuquerque to see its shooting sites, including a few on … Continue reading Premiere of “Breaking Bad” marks 10th anniversary
Mayor: Albuquerque Rapid Transit “a bit of a lemon”
New Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller this week said problems besetting Albuquerque Rapid Transit are so deep and many, it will take months before the controversial bus system along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) becomes fully operational. “The problems are much worse than I think anyone believed. ... This project is a bit of a lemon,” … Continue reading Mayor: Albuquerque Rapid Transit “a bit of a lemon”