NEWS
City fines Albuquerque motel $14,000 for unsanitary conditions, safety concerns
Code enforcement found piles of human feces, bed bugs and broken plumbing
City code enforcers fined an East Central motel and RV park more than $14,000 for numerous unsanitary conditions and safety concerns.
Residents of the Extend-a-Suites & RV Park pay between $500 and $1,200 monthly to live at a property where city employees found piles of human feces, broken plumbing, mold, and infestations of bed bugs and cockroaches, according to a Friday news release from the city.
鈥淧ublic safety remains our top priority and there is no valid excuse for these types of violations,鈥 said Alan Varela, director of the city鈥檚 Planning Department, which oversees code enforcement. 鈥淲e will continue to ensure that every property meets the standards necessary to keep our neighborhoods healthy and thriving.鈥
The city first flagged the motel at 12999 Central NE in 2020, when Code Enforcement warned the property owner that the RV park was illegal and not allowed within the surrounding area鈥檚 zoning code.
A recent visit escalated concerns.
Other unsafe conditions found on site included water damage, missing fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, as well as improperly stored gas cylinders, the release detailed. Code enforcement also pointed out unpermitted construction and deteriorating electrical wiring on site.
Beyond code violations, city officials described the property as a 鈥渕agnet for law enforcement activity.鈥
In the past year, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to 69 calls at the property, some involving narcotics, theft, fraud and auto burglary. As a result, four people have been arrested at the motel in the past year by APD, according to the release.
Property owners will have 14 days to resolve issues before the city begins fining the owners an additional $3,500 per day, according to the city.
鈥淲e want to support local businesses and give them the chance to come into compliance to become safe for customers, employees and their neighbors,鈥 Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement Friday. 鈥淚f their responsibilities under the law are not met, we will hold negligent property owners accountable.鈥
Gillian Barkhurst is a general assignment reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.