Problematic Days Inn Hotel Shut Down

ALBUQUERQUE – Another problematic hotel in Albuquerque’s West Bluff was ordered to shut down after numerous health and safety violations were found during an inspection conducted by the City.

On Thursday, March 13, the Days Inn Hotel located at 6031 Iliff Rd. NW was inspected by the City’s Code Enforcement, AFR, and Environmental Health Department. The inspection identified numerous significant safety, maintenance, and health issues that pose serious risks to both the tenants and the property itself.

"As we red tag the fifth problem motel in six months, I hope problem property owners understand our message with absolute clarity: we will not tolerate establishments that endanger our community," said Mayor Tim Keller. "While shuttering doors is our last resort, we will not stand by when safety is compromised, and we’ll continue to hold drivers of crime accountable."

“This is another sad example of a property owner choosing to run an operation that harms the neighborhood,” said Planning Department Director Alan Varela. “They let what was once a good property deteriorate to the point where it is not safe to occupy.”

Code Enforcement violations included:

• Broken or inoperable heating and cooling units.
• Severe plumbing issues, including broken faucets and sinks, non-functioning toilets, bathtubs that would not drain, and visible water leaks.
• Significant structural damage, including broken windows, holes in walls and ceilings, and damaged entry doors. Several room doors could not be properly secured, presenting security risks to tenants.
• Biohazard concerns including unwrapped, used syringes, which pose a significant health risk to both the occupants and any workers who may come into contact with them.

The Environmental Health Department inspected the rooms and the pool and hot tub area, uncovering numerous violations related to unsanitary conditions, safety hazards, and operational failures:

• Room inspections found filthy mattresses, drug paraphernalia, as well as dead mice and cockroaches in multiple rooms. These conditions reflect a significant lack of sanitation, creating an environment unsuitable for human habitation.
• The pool and hot tub area inspection found evidence of inadequate maintenance, non-functional filters and pumps, missing drain suction outlets, missing emergency phone, and dead cockroaches floating in the water.

The Albuquerque Fire and Rescue inspection uncovered multiple fire code violations that pose severe risks to life safety, further underscoring the urgent need for repairs and maintenance on the property:

• Multiple fire extinguishers were missing, and many had outdated inspection tags.
• Numerous exit signs on both floors were either non-functional or missing altogether, which could hinder evacuation efforts in an emergency. Some exit signs were improperly mounted, with exposed wiring, presenting an electrical hazard and further complicating safe evacuation.
• Many rooms lacked smoke detectors entirely, while others had non-functioning smoke detectors. This failure to meet basic fire safety standards puts tenants at high risk in the event of a fire.
• Multiple emergency exit lights were either missing or not operational.
• The building lacked visible or legible address identification from the main entrance.
• Electrical hazards including open junction boxes and exposed electrical wiring were present in numerous rooms, posing serious electrical and fire hazards. These issues require immediate attention to prevent potential fires or electrical accidents.
• Storage rooms had breached fire-resistance-rated walls, with missing drywall or large holes. This significantly weakens the fire-resistance of the building, increasing the risk of fire spreading quickly.

Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) met with and offered services to seven individuals, including a family of four that ACS assisted in transitioning from the motel. All seven individuals had access to alternative housing and support resources.

One dog was abandoned by its owners. The Animal Welfare Department (AWD) has the pet in protective custody. If the owners choose to reclaim their pet, we will ensure that the pet is in compliance with the HEART ordinance upon reclaim.