Developer appeals city’s decision for De Anza project

De Anza Motor Lodge

A developer that finished second in bids to redevelop the historic De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque is appealing the city’s choice for the project, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Jerry Landgraf of De Anza Co., which proposed converting the long-closed Route 66 motor lodge into a 65-unit boutique motel, said the city’s scoring system on the bids was unfair.

Both the De Anza Co. and Anthea proposals include restaurants. De Anza Co.’s $13.8 million emphasizes historic preservation with a tourist-oriented Route 66 theme, while Anthea’s $8.2 million proposal calls for substantial new construction and a focus on the business traveller.

De Anza’s appeal argues that its original proposal document was more detailed and based on a more realistic business analysis than Anthea’s rival proposal, yet received lower scores in several components of the scoring matrix, such as financial structure and financial capacity.

Landgraf also alleged to KOAT-TV in Albuquerque that Anthea@Nob Hill’s winning bid tears down too much of the property. However, earlier reports said Anthea’s proposal keeps most of the motel’s original elements, including its sign.

Landgraf faces an uphill battle. The Journal reports two other redevelopment bids in the last 15 years were appealed, only to be rejected by the Albuquerque city council.

Anthea’s proposal won over the city’s development commission in March because it will use only private money and the fact it forecasts having the property reopened by late 2016. Earlier De Anza developers tried to use a public-private mix of financing but eventually walked away because of the difficulties in getting that money. Commissioners undoubtedly were wary of another public-private venture.

Zuni trader and Indian art collector Charles G. Wallace built De Anza in 1939. The motel, at 4301 Central NE, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The site was used in at least one scene in the acclaimed television drama “Breaking Bad” and recently used as a shooting locale for a Tina Fey movie, “Fun House,” that will be released in 2016.

(Image of De Anza Motor Lodge by Paul Narvaez via Flickr)

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