Back to the beginning for El Vado

After a court ruling struck down the city landmark designation for El Vado Motel in Albuquerque, the matter is back before the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission on July 11 on whether to make the historic Route 66 motel a city landmark to protect it from redevelopment.

A judge ruled that the commission didn’t adequately consider the economic impact of the landmarks decision. However, part of the blame needs to go to the owner himself. The economic data he provided to the commission was scant.

The court ruling basically sets back the clock to nearly two years ago, when El Vado was before the Landmarks Commission. At the time, the panel voted unanimously to give the motel the historical designation.

The key difference is that owner Richard Gonzales and the city are currently negotiating for a settlement. The mayor has made his stance clear, saying “we’ll condemn it and take it” so the motel can be preserved if a settlement can’t be reached.

With the landmarks meeting looming and new pressure from the National Trust for Historical Preservation, I wouldn’t be surprised if some sort of settlement is made before July 11.

One thought on “Back to the beginning for El Vado

  1. G’day,

    I wonder just how difficult it would be to turn the El Vado into a high end motel.

    Rather than just keeping it as a landmark, keep the facade, use new 40ish interiors & furnishing, plus all the neat wired stuff. Build a nice 4-5 star restaurant adjacent. Folk staying there get brekkie free and 50% off the other expensive meals.

    Does this make any economic sense?

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