Las Cruces City Council voted to authorize abatement and demolition of a condemned, unoccupied adobe structure at 414 East May Avenue after staff described repeated fires, structural collapse and an unclear chain of title.

Chris Faber, Community Development, told the council the property dates to 1915, has been vacant since about 1980, and currently has no legal owner; descendants exist but no owner of record. Faber said the roof and part of a south wall have collapsed, the site has had more than two dozen public-safety calls in recent months and a deceased body was removed from the building in late 2024. The structure is attached by a party wall to the neighboring historic property at 422 East May and staff said demolition contractors must take steps to protect the adjoining building.

The Historic Preservation Committee recommended demolition only after staff said the structure's condition left no reasonable option for rehabilitation; HPC asked that salvageable materials be collected where feasible. Faber said staff would publish notice by publication because there is no known legal owner, solicit demolition bids and later place a lien on the property to recover city abatement costs.

Neighbor Doris Buchmann, who lives at 422 East May, detailed years of fires, dumping and safety threats and told council the ongoing risk made daily life intolerable. Councilors pressed staff about timelines, party-wall protections and the larger inventory of similar vacant properties in the historic district; staff said about 20 properties in the historic district are on a watch or NATR (noted) list and that the department will present a September work session focusing on a more proactive, GIS-driven strategy for identifying and remediating dangerous vacant structures.

The council approved the resolution in a recorded vote; Councilor McClure, Councilor Matisse, Councilor Graham, Councilor Kran, Councilor Bencomo and Mayor Eric Enriquez voted yes; Councilor Flores was absent.

If the city proceeds, staff said contractors will be asked to salvage original adobe and materials where possible, and the city will pursue liens to recover demolition costs.