Las Cruces To Manage Amador Live, Invest $1.1 Million
The city will renovate the vacant facility to offer space for private event rentals such as holiday markets and food trucks.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Las Cruces City Council has voted to retain control of the 20,500-square-foot Amador Live facility and will invest $1.1 million in repairs. The decision follows the property vacancy since January 2025 and an audit revealing significant outstanding debts.
Why it matters
City officials opted for municipal management after determining there was limited interest from private entities to purchase or occupy the property. For local operators, the site now serves as a public space for event rentals rather than a private commercial hub.
An internal audit identified $1.6 million in outstanding rent and fees, including $351,260 in unpaid payments and $17,337 in unbilled utility charges. The city now plans to spend $1.1 million on maintenance for the 20,500-square-foot facility, which sits vacant after a 21-month closure.
The players
Las Cruces City Council
The municipal legislative body responsible for city budget approvals and public infrastructure oversight.
Visit Las Cruces
The destination marketing organization tasked with managing the city's new event facility operations.
The details
The city will utilize Tax Increment Development District funds to perform a phased overhaul of the facility's electrical, plumbing, and structural systems. Management duties will transition to Visit Las Cruces, which plans to pivot operations toward hosting food truck events and holiday markets. The city continues to seek long-term commercial occupants for the space, moving away from the private partnership model established in 2019.
Timeline
2019: Amador Live opened for business.
January 2025: Amador Live facility became vacant.
February 2026: Internal audit of lease agreement concluded.
October 26, 2026: City Council held work session on facility.
After the new year: Launch of large-scale event rentals.
Market Landscape
The city's move to assume control of the facility marks a pivot away from the private development model originally established in 2019. The use of Tax Increment Development District funds follows a pattern of municipal intervention to stabilize commercial assets when private interest wanes.
Local vendors and event organizers should monitor the city’s upcoming rental application process for access to the refurbished space. Operators should note that the facility is shifting from a private commercial model to a municipal-managed rental hub.
The takeaway
The transition of this property into a municipal rental hub highlights the risks inherent in large-scale public-private partnerships. Business owners should track the city's new rental schedule as a potential channel for future marketing or food truck activations.
What happens next
The city plans to launch large-scale event rentals for the facility after the new year.
Further reading
Learn more about local commercial property trends in Las Cruces Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Cruces Sun-News.
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