THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE IS HOPING THE THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM FOR REDEVELOPING THE HISTORIC DE ANZA MOTOR LODGE ON CENTRAL. TWICE BEFORE EFFORTS HAVE FAILED. NOW, MAYOR BERRY SAYS THEY'RE ASKING PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO STEP IN WITH IDEAS: HE SAYS THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S MAINTAINED AND ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE IS LEFT INTACT, WHICH INCLUDES MAINTAINING THE ZUNI MURALS IN THE BUILDING'S BASEMENT. BUT HE SAYS THEY ALSO WANT IT TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A LOCATION RESIDENTS AND VISITORS CAN ENJOY.
IT'S HOPED A DEVELOPER CAN BE CHOSEN WITHIN SIX MONTHS. THE DE ANZA WAS BUILT 75 YEARS AGO…AND IS CONSIDERED A ROUTE 66 ICON.
