Old Desert Sands motel location (apartment complex, neighborhoods, theatre)

[Rich Cabeza]

I heard they were going to build a high rise apartment complex there. Is that true?

[funkymonkey]

I doubt rents in that area can support a building higher than 3-4 stories max.

[Cactus Hibs]

Originally Posted by funkymonkey

I doubt rents in that area can support a building higher than 3-4 stories max.

I agree, it's not a location that makes a lot of sense for a new high-rise. I'm pretty sure current zoning in the area would preclude anything over 4 stories as well.

I haven't heard anything about a new high-rise there and I pay reasonably close attention. As of a couple months ago, the original owner still held the lot (the city basically badgered them into tearing the motel ruins down) and there were no announced plans for anything new. The only activity I've seen in the vicinity is some remodeling at the old Long John Silver's next door, evidently in preparation for another fast food business.

[bobnabq1]

A homeless shelter would be more appropriate for the area.

[Rich Cabeza]

Originally Posted by bobnabq1

A homeless shelter would be more appropriate for the area.

It's not that far from Nob Hill is it?

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Rich Cabeza

It's not that far from Nob Hill is it?

It is about 1 mile east of Nob Hill.

[Cactus Hibs]

Originally Posted by Rich Cabeza

It's not that far from Nob Hill is it?

It's very, very different from a socioeconomic standpoint. Other than a few state offices, the primary economic drivers in the immediate vicinity are a 24-hour Walmart, a Castle "adult superstore," a number of fast food restaurants, and a major methadone clinic. A couple new retail developments were built on spec within the last few years, but have remained largely empty except for a burger place, a tattoo shop, and a discount dentist clinic.

The neighborhoods to the north, south east and west are more prosperous, but their residents abandoned this stretch of Central long ago and shop elsewhere. San Mateo in this area has been an economic ghost town for decades, ever since the Wal-Mart was built.

If the eastern stretch of Nob Hill between Carlisle and Washington is still best described as "up and coming" compared to the more established district to the west, the area between Washington and San Mateo is even more tenuous, with the Hiland Theatre and a few restaurants providing the only bright spots. You grade clearly into "sketchy" somewhere in there, I think.