Las Cruces City Council to revisit Amador Live property after unsuccessful search for new operator
Las Cruces councilors will discuss new options for the former Amador Live property Oct. 26 after an unsuccessful search for a tenant or developer.
More than 21 months after the downtown entertainment complex closed, city staff will present another approach for using the city-owned property
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - More than 21 months after the closure of Amador Live, Las Cruces city officials are returning to City Council on Monday to discuss what comes next for the downtown entertainment property after an unsuccessful effort to attract a new tenant or developer.
The discussion is the sole substantive item on the council's work session agenda for Oct. 26. City staff will present an alternative approach for putting the city-owned facility back into use while pursuing its long-term sustainability.
The work session begins at 1 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.
According to the city's agenda, an earlier request for proposals seeking a tenant or master developer was unsuccessful. Staff from Economic Development, Visit Las Cruces, Public Works and Community Development have since explored other possibilities.
The agenda does not identify the proposed alternative, explain why the solicitation was unsuccessful or provide estimated costs associated with future operations.
Organ Mountain News
A downtown destination closes
Amador Live, a downtown dining and entertainment complex that opened in March 2019, permanently closed in January 2025.
The complex included Amador Patio & Bar, Broken Spoke Taphouse, Jax Rooftop Bar and Club 575 Cruces Crafted Cocktails. It also hosted concerts, fundraisers and other community events.
In a Jan. 7, 2025, interview with KVIA, Amador Live CEO Max Bower attributed the closure to several economic pressures, including the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, inflation and reduced discretionary spending.
Despite those challenges, Bower expressed optimism about the property's potential for other uses.
In subsequent reporting by KFOX14, city Deputy Community Development Director Chris Faivre confirmed that Las Cruces owned the facility and had leased it to Amador Hospitality.
Faivre said the city would explore opportunities to lease the property again or pursue different uses.
Mayor Eric Enriquez also expressed disappointment about the closure and said the city intended to explore options quickly to maintain the momentum of downtown redevelopment.
What's next for Amador Live?
Monday's work session marks a new stage in those efforts.
Rather than presenting another prospective private operator, city staff are expected to outline a different approach following the unsuccessful request for proposals.
The agenda describes the goal as finding an option that would allow the property to be used immediately while creating long-term sustainability.
Several questions remain unanswered, including whether the city received any proposals, why a tenant or master developer could not be secured and what financial commitments the alternative approach might require.
The discussion is designated for direction and guidance from councilors. No formal action is scheduled on the Amador property.
Residents can review the Oct. 26 work session agenda before the meeting.
Organ Mountain News will continue following the city's plans for the Amador property and provide updates as new information becomes available.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
