City officials now plan to begin the preservation of the motel, noted by Route 66 historians as a treasure.

“For anybody that understands the history of Route 66, this is one of the great facilities, great structures architecturally in the history of Route 66,” said Mayor Marty Chavez.

In addition to dispatching inspectors to secure the property, which has been fenced and boarded up for some time due to vandalism, the City also advanced a sum of $680,000 to the District Court Registry to purchase the property. Both the City and the property owner will provide appraisals for the El Vado Motel.

"Today we work to protect our future by preserving our past," Mayor Chavez said.