The city Historic Districts Review Board reversed course Tuesday on a state government request to demolish four casitas in downtown Santa Fe, paving the way for a large-scale executive office building across the street from the state Capitol.

In an about-face, the board voted 3-2 to approve the demolition of the four casitas in the 400 block of Don Gaspar Avenue after previously rejecting the requests.

"As sweet as the area, the former neighborhood, may have been, the casitas are just remnants of a neighborhood that no longer exists," board member Jennifer Biedscheid said after a nearly three-hour hearing.

"While Santa Fe is known for its historic identity, it also identifies as the state capital," she added. "State government exists here. We can't contradict that fact, and its ability

See Full Page