County considers buying land to alleviate parking in downtown

ALAMOGORDO – Local real estate broker and former County Commissioner Tommie Herrell, went before County Commissioners March 8 and proposed an offer to sell lots in the Alamo Blocks Subdivision for a chance to give the county an opportunity to alleviate the limited parking that affects county and state employees as well as residents.

The lots in question are lots 17, 18, 19 and 20 in Block 50 of the Alamo Blocks Subdivision. This property is commonly known as the El Camino Restaurant, the Napa Auto Parts store and the Old Bus Station.

Herrell said the county is the biggest property owner of the corner of the El Camino Restaurant, 1022 N. White Sands Blvd., and is currently listed at $250,000.

“My client Callaway Trust contacted me two months ago to lower the price on that. My thought was we had talked about this years ago about adding additional parking space,” Herrell said. “He has come up with a proposal to offer this to the county for $150,000.”

Herrell said it would be payable in three installments. A down payment of $50,000 with the remaining balance to be paid with two $50,000 annual payments.

In a letter to County Commissioners, Herrell stated that the current tenants are on a month to month lease.

“My client would be willing to carry this contract at zero interest with the understanding that the client would continue to retain the rents from the current tenants for two years, or until the balance of the contract is paid in full,” Herrell stated in the letter.

During the meeting, Herrell said his client said he would be willing to wait until next year to try and get the process started and wait for the upcoming budget hearings.

Herrell said it would be in the county’s best interest to purchase the lots because there is not enough parking space near the downtown area.

“It would be very courageous on the county’s part because it shows pro-growth even though I don’t know what’s happening with the new courthouse complex,” Herrell said. “There are about 160 employees at the courthouse, the District Attorney’s Office and the annex. There is roughly about less than 150 parking spaces. It’s almost impossible to find a parking space in the downtown area. Maybe it’s time to consider long time parking or designated parking spaces for employees to open up a lot of parking spaces for customers and other businesses.”

County Commissioner Susan Flores suggested discussing the item during executive session at next month’s County Commission meeting.

County Commission Chairman Lori Bies also said they should discuss the issue during executive session next month.

“We have budget hearings coming up, we need to see if it’s financial feasible for the county to do this,” Bies said.

To view county lots visit the county’s website at co.otero.nm.us