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Las Cruces officials outline expanded nuisance abatement program as residents press for preservation and housing supports
Summary
City staff described a retooled Nuisance Abatement Team tracking 163 problematic properties and a top-11 priority list, while community groups urged clearer preservation safeguards and use of ARPA vouchers to avoid displacement of residents in occupied units.
The Las Cruces City Council work session on March 25 featured a detailed update on the city’s Nuisance Abatement Team and a string of public comments urging stronger historic-preservation protections and housing supports.
Larry Nichols, with Community Development, said the NAT has shifted from acquiring properties for affordable housing to abating blighted properties. He described a three-step investigative system—level 1 (weed/debris), level 2 (vacant buildings/unsafe structures) and level 3 (urgent properties)—and said the team favors voluntary compliance (cleaning, boarding and securing) with condemnation and demolition a last resort. Nichols said abatement records are public, that a property owner may appeal a condemnation order within 15 days and that liens can be placed to recover demolition costs when the city completes abatement.
"We try to achieve that through voluntary compliance," Nichols said, summarizing the approach that pairs code enforcement with police, fire and legal staff.
Battalion Chief Fire Marshal Michael Landovasso illustrated the…
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