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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
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
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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 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,
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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.