The constant chaos at the Tewa Motor Lodge has subsided at least for now.
Last month, the East Central Avenue motel was the focus of a police operation targeting criminal activity at the site. Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers had been working with city code enforcement following concerns from neighborhood residents and area businesses about multiple code violations and the effects of crime and drug use at the property.
During the police operation, officers fatally shot and killed a handcuffed man who they say had a gun.
“We won’t tolerate nests of drugs, guns and criminal activity, and we’ll keep fighting to clean up problem properties,” Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement soon after the incident.
Since then, the city has erected a fence and closed the property. Tewa’s tenants — there are about 26 living units — have been forced to leave. Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) representatives said they were at the site offering shelter options and other assistance to tenants during evictions.
The city’s Planning Department, which includes code enforcement, said it’s been a multidepartment response from the city, including APD, ACS, Health, Housing & Homelessness, Animal Welfare and Solid Waste.
Tewa owner Amir Nathoo, 81, said he’s grateful the city stepped in. He said he’d lost control of the property and had feared for his life. Nathoo said he’s owned the Tewa since 1979 but is now interested in selling it.
While he was recently asking for $1.2 million, he said Monday: “Give me a good offer and we’ll work it out.” Nathoo said he’s open to accepting a private offer or one by the city.
The Tewa appears to be a fit similar to other Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) efforts to rehabilitate historic but dilapidated Route 66 motels and properties to a semblance of their former glory. Nob Hill has the De Anza Motor Lodge and, most recently, The Imperial in East Downtown reopened anew.
“If the owner is interested in selling, the city is certainly willing to have that discussion,” MRA spokesperson Sarah Supple said last week.
Natoo would likely benefit from bringing the property into code compliance to help maximize any sale. Built in 1946, the one-story development consisting of units on a lower level and a manager’s residence located above a portion of the east building, needs considerable repairs and upgrades.
Planning spokesperson Tim Walsh said the city is optimistic, especially since Natoo has filed the proper permits to launch repairs.
“There’s evidence of work taking place, which we like to see,” Walsh said. “It looks like they’re proceeding forward with bringing the property back into compliance with all codes and regulations.”
Meanwhile, Tewa’s closure has been welcome news for area businesses like Kap’s Coffee Shop & Diner, located just east of the property. Many of its customers were known to avoid the diner during times when criminal activity and drug use was particularly high.
“They say the environment has immediately improved,” Walsh said.
Greg Fraser of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (Local 1564), located at 130 Alvarado Drive NE, just north of Kap’s, said he’s worked there for 30 years.
“[Tewa] brought the biggest drug crisis I’ve ever seen; it was bad,” he said. “Everyday, we picked up needles and trash and feces. It was worse than anyone can imagine.”
Fraser said there are fewer encampments, fires and loiterers now.
“It’s like night and day; I’m in a different city,” he said.
“We hope that we can, as a community and as a local government, help keep that area clear and keep business thriving,” Walsh added.
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