The Las Cruces City Council unanimously adopted a Resolution declaring a nuisance, substandard dwelling, or structure in need of abatement at 1045 S. Main St. The Resolution requests the building be demolished.
The Council’s action came during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.
The Resolution to remove the building at 1045 N. Main St. comes after City staff exhausted all attempts to compel the owner to bring the site into compliance. New Mexico state law allows the governing body of a municipality to remove a structure that is a menace to the public comfort, health, peace, or safety.
The commercially zoned building was built in 1936 and is considered historical “contributing.” A review and a recommendation from the City’s Historical Preservation Commission will be required before it can be demolished.
The City received more than 300 calls for service and complaints regarding the property from August 2021 through August 2022. The City applied for and was granted, an Inspectorial Search Order on Aug. 5, 2022. A Condemnation Notice/Unsafe Structure also was issued on Aug. 5 and all utilities were disconnected.
Additionally, City Council adopted a similar Resolution for a single-family house at 1245 W. Van Patten Ave. In January 2021, the Certificate for Occupancy was revoked by the City for the 1,026 square-foot house. City Council also was told the City’s Community Development Department and Code Enforcement Division have received complaints of Municipal Code violations for several years.
On Aug. 5, 2022, the City entered and inspected the property with permission from the owner. A Condemnation Notice was posted the same day after the site inspection determined substandard conditions at the house included excessive damage from two fires, structural failure of the residence, electrical hazards, inoperative plumbing, impeded egress from rooms, and general debris around the perimeter.