De Anza project suddenly looks more doubtful

A developer who is seeking to revitalize the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque has delayed his scheduled groundbreaking until at least August until a financing snag can be worked out, reported the New Mexico Business Weekly.

Developer Rob Dickson says the chances of a groundbreaking next month are 50/50. The newspaper said:

The missed July ground breaking is attributable to the project’s financing not being completed. Necessary permits from state and federal review agencies are still pending. The financing snag centers on a lower appraisal on the property than Dickson had hoped for.

Dickson, the developer of the Lofts at Albuquerque High, is planning to convert the motel to 39 market rate apartments. A Zuni jewelry store, a Rt. 66 visitor center and a cafe are part of the project. An outdoor swimming pool, and clubhouse are also in the plans. Pavilion Construction is scheduled to do the build out and Integrated Design and Architecture created the design. The city of Albuquerque is Dickson’s partner in the project.

This development isn’t an encouraging sign. The De Anza project has already seen multiple delays in recent years, and the reason for this one may scuttle the whole thing. Let’s hope it gets worked out.

S.D. Hambaugh, a tourist court operator from Tucson, Ariz.; and C.G. Wallace, a trader with the Zuni tribe, built De Anza Motor Lodge in 1939. It closed during the 1990s, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

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