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.169391.1

SENATE MEMORIAL 76

48

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Jane M. Garcia

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE EXPEDITIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF VIABLE TRANSPORTATION

ACCESS TO THE HISTORIC RADIUM HOT SPRINGS INN.

WHEREAS, the village of Radium Springs, a few miles north

of Leasburg, New Mexico, owes its name to the free-flowing

mineral hot springs once located there; and

WHEREAS, centuries ago, the springs were used as a resting

place for Native American traders traveling between what is now

Mexico and Santa Fe and were later used as a paraje, or rest

stop, for Spanish traders and soldiers traveling on El Camino

Real; and

WHEREAS, the soldiers once stationed at nearby Fort Seldon

frequently enjoyed these mineral hot springs and built the

first bathhouse in 1887; and

WHEREAS, the Radium Hot Springs inn, on the east bank of

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.169391.1

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the Rio Grande in Radium Springs, New Mexico, was constructed

in 1931 and replaced cabins that were built prior to 1910; and

WHEREAS, during its heyday, the Radium Hot Springs inn was

a popular destination for residents of New Mexico and tourists

to the state; and

WHEREAS, the Radium Hot Springs inn has had other uses of

historical interest, including serving as the Radium Springs

women's prison from 1978 to 1983; and

WHEREAS, the current owners purchased the property in 1995

and have undertaken a historic preservation renovation and

rehabilitation effort so that the property might be reopened

again as a hotel and tourist destination; and

WHEREAS, if the Radium Hot Springs inn is restored and

reopened to the public, it would contribute positively to the

historic preservation and economic development of Dona Ana

county and southern New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the Radium Hot Springs inn and surrounding county

and state facilities have been unsuccessful in developing

feasible transportation routes in and out of the inn, and this

has resulted in a continued lost opportunity for realizing the

many benefits from this local resource; and

WHEREAS, all governmental parties with jurisdiction in and

around the historic Radium Hot Springs inn must work

diligently, expeditiously and without further delay in

developing a viable transportation plan that will mitigate this

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.169391.1

issue as a remaining obstacle preventing the reopening of the

Radium Hot Springs inn;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE

OF NEW MEXICO that options for improving public access to the

Radium Hot Springs inn be evaluated and developed through a

collaborative process that includes Dona Ana county, the

village of Radium Springs, the bureau of reclamation in the

United States department of the interior, the Elephant Butte

irrigation district, the United States international boundary

and water commission, the state parks division of the energy,

minerals and natural resources department, the hotel owners and

other interested stakeholders; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above-mentioned parties

submit a report and analysis of various access options to the

legislature, members of the Dona Ana county legislative

delegation and Dona Ana county within ninety days of the

passage of this memorial, and that Dona Ana county take

responsibility for preparing this report with the full consent

of the involved parties.

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