Members of the Las Cruces City Council have voted unanimously to demolish a long-standing motel that was first opened for business in December of 1941.
In doing so, council members affirmed a resolution saying that the motel was “so ruined, damaged, and dilapidated as to be a menace to the public comfort, health, peace, or safety.”
Located at 1045 S. Main Street, the structure was originally known as the Kilby Kourt, becoming the Kilby Motel in the 1950s. Put up for auction in 1959, the motel was described as having “17 rooms, all air conditioned, tiled baths, carpeting, telephone, TVs and radios.”
The motel fell on hard times in the last two decades, with Las Cruces officials noting that due to neglect it was no longer in compliance with city codes. In a presentation before the city council, Larry Nichols, director of community development for the city, said the motel had many structural issues, including a roof that is in danger of collapse.
Las Cruces officials also said that the motel has frequently been the scene of both domestic violence calls and shootings, as well as other criminal activity. According to official documents, “the city has exhausted all attempts to compel the owners to bring the premise into compliance through voluntary and municipal summon attempts.”
The council vote to do away with the Kilby does not mean it will be immediately leveled. According to the Las Cruces Sun News, the building may still be designated as a historic structure, thus complicating its demolition.
The current owner of the motel is based in Salem, some 45 miles to the north of Las Cruces, and has indicated that he would like to pursue a study to determine whether it would be economically feasible to save and upgrade the motel.
By Garry Boulard
