La Posada de Albuquerque will be closed a while longer

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

A report from the road

Redforkhippiechick ventured to Vega, Texas, to help the owners of the Vega Motel prepare for their eventual reopening and stayed in the newly refurbished Apache Motel in Tucumcari, N.M. There are other things she observed and shot photographs of. Check them out.

El Vado demolition permit will likely be rejected

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

Firm chosen to restore De Anza motel

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

Media picks up on El Vado story

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

Albuquerque blog reports on El Vado situation

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

Lawsuit thins wallet of Aztec Hotel owner

Kathie Reece-McNeill owns the historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif., and is carefully restoring the Route 66 landmark. However, her pocketbook is lighter after fighting a lawsuit that alleged Americans with Disabilities Act violations, reports the Sacramento Bee. Reece-McNeill rebutted attempts to settle out of court, and she won the lawsuit. But the battle cost … Continue reading Lawsuit thins wallet of Aztec Hotel owner

City will try to shut down Western Motel

A reader pointed out this article Thursday from the Daily Oklahoman in which the City of Bethany, Okla., is trying to shut down the Western Motel on Route 66. The motel, which was built at 7600 NW 39th in 1953, was declared a public nuisance by the city council after complaints of prostitution there. According … Continue reading City will try to shut down Western Motel

El Vado Motel situation clarified

Last week, I heard through the grapevine that some sort of appeal to demolish El Vado Motel in Albuquerque was being considered. I subsequently contacted the city, requesting more information. Today, I received an e-mail from Ed Boles of the City of Albuquerque, who helpfully clarified some things about the situation. The owner of El … Continue reading El Vado Motel situation clarified

Route 66 Corridor Program gets some ink

The Associated Press did a story about the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program and its advisory council, which met in Oklahoma City last week. Of particular (and deserving) focus is John Dunning, who is slowly renovating Owl Court in Oklahoma City into a small motel for Mother Road travelers. Dunning also is owner of the … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Program gets some ink