Leslie Naji, Preservation Planner, CABQ Planning Dept.
By email to lnaji@cabq.gov
Subj: Hiway House Demolition Permit
Dear Ms. Naji,
Consensus Planning reached out to us several weeks ago to discuss this possible demolition. We recommended a single purpose community meeting which they hosted at their offices Dec. 14. We publicized the meeting to our neighborhood association using the normal process, an announcement to our email list of about 300 subscribers and posting on the events page of our website. It was attended by five neighbors, none of whom indicated opposition. On Dec. 20 we received an email from 11 residents in the 200 block of Bryn Mawr SE supporting demolition.
We placed the question on the agenda of our monthly board meeting of Jan. 2 and publicized it the same way. A half dozen neighbors attended in addition to seven of our eight directors. We heard one neighbor who expressed a wish that the motel be redeveloped using the current structure. The others all spoke in support of demolition.
Arguments for demolition included the poor quality of construction, damage from a fire and an explosion, presence of asbestos, and the layout of the motel with about 60 rooms as opposed to a new structure that could have around 120 rooms making it more sustainable economically. While the current structure is fenced it continues to be attractive to squatting, threat of open fires, etc. Removing the existing structure will improve this problem.
The community appreciated the idea that a new hotel would be one story on Central although three stories elsewhere on the site. They also appreciated the underground parking. Although it was not brought up that night I have heard several neighbors indicate a strong preference for a project that would reference area culture and architecture.
Our board of directors voted 7-0 in support of CABQ issuing a demolition permit. We thank you and Consensus Planning for the opportunity to be heard in this matter.
Kind regards,
Gary L. Eyster
President, Nob Hill Neighborhood Association
(505)991-1388
