Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Taxpayers paid more than $4,000,000 to build the El Camino Real Heritage Center , a few million dollars more to operate it and, now, a half million to tear it down. Never popular, the Center failed to bring in the expected foot traffic. Time and vandals eventually had their way with the building. The museum was closed and boarded up in 2016, and then state officials abandoned the site. Because little effort was made to secure the empty building, it’s no longer considered habitable. Copper wiring was stolen. Eventually there was significant structural damage, mold, a rodent infestation, and no electricity or lights available. Faced with a $3.5 million repair bill, the Museum of New Mexico’s Board of Regents made the difficult decision last year to demolish the building. This week a state-hired demolition crew began the task of tearing down the museum complex.
