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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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