Las Cruces residents could see the downtown Amador Live entertainment complex restored to full use after city staff presented a $1.1 million repair estimate during an Oct. 26 City Council work session, according to Organ Mountain News. The venue, which opened in 2017 as a centerpiece of the city’s downtown revitalization, has been largely inactive for nearly two years, prompting officials to outline a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
The itemized estimate assigns $257,418 to reconstruct the second‑floor deck, including removal of the existing concrete surface, replacement of damaged wood and installation of a rubberized waterproofing system. Cabinetry and casework repairs are budgeted at $224,187, while new epoxy flooring and baseboards for the main restaurant and two enclosed entry patios would cost $154,370. Additional line items include $88,970 for second‑floor stucco repairs, $45,000 for interior wall repairs and painting, $26,870 for window replacements, $26,605 for masonry and rock‑wall work, and $139,180 for exterior and interior door replacements on both floors.
Electrical, plumbing and related fixes – such as damaged fixtures, outlets and a leaking backflow preventer – are allocated $16,000, and the plan also earmarks $12,500 to complete the unfinished second‑floor waiter station and a dumbwaiter connecting the ground‑floor kitchen to the upper level. The total of these line items reaches the projected $1.1 million cost.
Public Works Director David Sedillo described the needed work as a mix of unfinished construction, deferred maintenance and building‑code concerns, noting that some exterior doors appear to have been installed to residential rather than commercial standards. The city’s internal audit, issued in February, highlighted financial‑management and oversight deficiencies in the original development and private operating arrangement, though it did not directly link those issues to the physical problems now identified.
Earlier documentation provides context for the current estimate. A commercial appraisal by Brooks Real Estate Services in March 2025 rated the building’s overall condition as “average” for its age, but flagged separated seams in the deck’s waterproof covering and estimated $16,300 for limited deck repairs. A subsequent April 29, 2025 proposal from Nine Degrees Construction called for a more extensive deck demolition and rebuild at the same $257,418 price, and offered a broader $818,663 package covering additional work over an estimated 140 working days.
The City Council has not yet authorized the $1.1 million expenditure. Staff suggested using revenue from the downtown Tax Increment Development District, pending appropriate approvals. Residents and local business owners will be watching for the council’s final decision, which will determine whether Amador Live can resume hosting events and contribute to the downtown economy.
What’s next: The council is expected to consider funding approvals in upcoming sessions. City officials will continue to evaluate the use of Tax Increment Development District revenue and may schedule a public hearing to gather community input before any final vote.
Sources: organmountainnews.com
