More Local

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
• Former Marine to serve two years in jail for killing Albuquerque robber
• Wilson-Pearce battle for U.S. Senate exemplifies party's disparity

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

The historic El Vado motel has been deemed a city landmark, a designation that offers a new level of protection to a piece of Route 66-era history without guaranteeing its survival.

The City Council's 5-4 vote Monday created new hurdles for owner Richard Gonzales, who says he believes he's being pressured by the city to sell his property to some other developer.

"Until I'm prone to leave the game, they'll keep pushing the obstacles," Gonzales said after Monday's vote.

There was little disagreement over the motel's historical value. Built in 1936 at Central Avenue just east of the Rio Grande, El Vado is one of the last and best remaining examples of a Route 66-era motor court.

It's an early example Spanish Pueblo Revival-style architecture, and the epitome of what sent American tourists down the Mother Road 60 years ago, said Ed Boles, the city's historic preservation planner.

"Many sought the exotic charm in what were to them the beautiful and unfamiliar landscape and indigenous cultures of New Mexico," Boles said. "If not landmarked, the El Vado may be demolished by the owner, which will be a permanent and irreversible loss to the city."

Monday was the council's second crack at naming the motel a landmark. It did the same in 2005, but Gonzales appealed and won in state District Court.

The landmark status accorded Monday does not prevent demolition, but staves it off with added levels of bureaucracy.

Even landmarked, Gonzales - who bought the motel in 2005 with a plan to turn the site into a townhome complex - can still apply for a permit to demolish the site. But he must prove to the city's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission that operating El Vado as it stands now is not economically feasible.

It's a debate he believes he can win.

"After restoration, the El Vado will be worth substantially less than what it would be worth to renovate or rehabilitate the building," said John Kelly, Gonzales' attorney. "It's worth less than zero today, and will be worth about $700,000 if it's renovated to the tune of $2 (million), $3 million."

Boles noted that other parts of the property can still be developed, despite the landmark status.

Much of the council, however, appeared frustrated by a situation many felt was crying for compromise. Some suggested the city buy the property from Gonzales to guarantee its preservation.

Peter Pierotti, an assistant city attorney representing the planning department, said $700,000 made available to the city in October's bond election could be used to purchase the site.

"I do believe that it was my assumption that the city was going to step up and try and buy this property," said Councilor Sally Mayer. "I'm shocked we haven't. I'm embarrassed we haven't."

Gonzales, though, said he has "no interest in selling the property to the city."

He said he's made attempts to compromise. His plan to preserve the parts of El Vado that front Central Avenue were rebuffed, he said, and he believes the city has refused to budge from an all-or-nothing stance.

Boles said Gonzales' proposal would preserve El Vado for people who see it from Central, but not from those who would experience driving into the motor court - a detail he believes would knock it from state and federal historic registries.

Ultimately, Gonzales said he believes the city wants the site to be redeveloped - just not by him. He said he "didn't make the short list" of favorable developers, and that the city will continue to fight him until he gives up.

He said other historic properties along Central undergoing redevelopment - such as the Horn Oil building - have seen less resistance.

Pierotti, though, said the issue is about preserving a building that has struck a chord with preservationists and Route 66 enthusiasts.

"The goal of the administration is to protect the property and keep its historic designation on state and national registries," Pierotti said. "That would be true no matter who owned the property."