REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO UNDERTAKE A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF RESTORING AND PRESERVING THE SCHAEFER HOTEL FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE USE.

WHEREAS, the Shaefer hotel located in Mountainair has always been referred to as a historic site in New Mexico with its historical significance most noted in Mountainair and central New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the Shaefer hotel is currently under foreclosure and is languishing from disuse; and

WHEREAS, the current foreclosure situation of the Shaefer hotel may eventually result in the destruction of this historically significant hotel; and

WHEREAS, the Shaefer hotel has the potential of offering valuable economic benefits to the Mountainair and central New Mexico region;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the office of cultural affairs, the tourism department and the state highway and transportation department be requested to undertake a study to determine the feasibility of restoring and preserving the Schaefer hotel for public and private use; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of cultural affairs, the tourism department and the state highway and transportation department be requested to report the findings of their study to the appropriate legislative interim committee that reviews economic and rural development prior to the forty-sixth legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the appropriate legislative interim committee that reviews economic and rural development issues, the state cultural affairs officer, the secretary of tourism and the secretary of highway and transportation.