The City of Albuquerque red-tagged and shutdown the historic Lindy’s Diner in southwest Albuquerque over safety concerns on Monday, April 21, 2026. According to the City’s Code Enforcement Division Report, the red tag was issued for an “unsafe structure” inside of Lindy’s Diner. According to the owners, the building is 100-years-old. However, the restaurant opened in 1929 as Coney Island Cafe. MORE: Inspection forces closure of Lindy’s Diner in Downtown AlbuquerqueOn Tuesday, April 21, 2026, KOAT spoke with co-owner Dawn Vateseow on the sudden closure. Vateseow told KOAT they were aware of the structural concerns with the building and applied for grants through the City and State of New Mexico over the years, but to no avail. The owners also sent KOAT documentation and e-mails of inquiries submitted for assistance with structural concerns in 2024. KOAT also spoke with the City of Albuquerque on its reasoning for the red-tag a month after an initial inspection that addressed minimal concerns. Related: Lindy’s Diner feeds the unhoused on Thanksgiving Day”Well, it certainly isn’t the way that we wanted to go out, that’s for sure. I would have liked to have gone out on our own terms and say goodbye to our customers. We appreciate each and every one of them, and we’re going to miss them so much. We have spent a lifetime serving Albuquerque and loving every minute of it,” Vateseow told KOAT.”We applied for grants. The grant process is not an easy process to do. Most of those grants have to be picked up by a municipality. They have to be the ones to apply for the grant. The money doesn’t come directly to you. It comes to the city of Albuquerque,” Vateseow said. “Then, they dispense it out to the people that have applied for those grants. It is a lengthy process and everything takes money. There’s only so much that you can afford to do without help trying to keep this building going.” Video below: Lindy’s Diner earns national recognition by Food NetworkOn Tuesday, KOAT also reached out to the New Mexico Tourism regarding the reasoning for denial for Vateseow’s Route 66 Infrastructure grant as well grants applied through the City and with assistance through the City of Albuquerque. Both statements are below.”Code Enforcement’s initial inspection was just of the exterior of the building and of the roof. The findings from that inspection warranted a follow-up inspection which is what happened yesterday,” City of Albuquerque’s public information officer Tim Walsh said. “Code Enforcement found some pretty severely damaged lateral support and that is a life safety risk, so that’s why they had they had to issue the red tag.”Vateseow disputed the City’s account, stating ” That is not true. They were inside of the place. They took pictures in the inside of the place. Two weeks ago, a week ago. It’s been a continual barrage,” Vateseow said. “We have a few neighbors that continuously called several times a day, both of which wanted the building. So, they just got sick of the constant phone calls coming in and just said, ‘that’s it, we’re red tagging, fencing. Get a structural engineer over here.””We’ve had a structural engineer come in. He’s retired now, but he’s the one that worked on the building some years back. We put steel all the way around the inside of the dining room and the restaurant. It’s all the way around to hold the weight of the upstairs,” Vateseow said.According to the City of Albuquerque, The City’s Code Enforcement Division conducted a follow-up inspection on Monday, April 20, 2026 after complaints submitted through 3-1-1 about the building’s condition which prompted an initial inspection last week.City of Albuquerque Statements“Local mom-and-pop businesses make our city so special, but we also have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that businesses are safe for everyone. While Lindy’s Diner is a treasured landmark, it was rightfully determined to be unsafe and uninhabitable under current conditions. We will do what we can to help keep Lindy’s and this historic corner.” —Alex Curtas, Communications Director for Mayor Tim KellerCity of Albuquerque Deputy Communications Director MiKayla Ortega confirmed the City of Albuquerque’s Planning Department proactively assisted Lindy’s Diner in applying for the ‘Preserve Route 66 Combined Grant’ in 2025. Ortega also sent to KOAT the following:Please see below for a full assessment of Lindy’s applications and disbursements within the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency:Storefront Activation Grant (2022)This program was designed to reduce vacant ground-floor spaces downtown by supporting new businesses or expansions into vacant storefronts.Lindy’s was awarded $35,000 to expand and open Narke.They received the first disbursement of $17,500 on March 9, 2022.Narke closed after only a few months, which put them out of compliance with the grant terms.As a result, they did not receive the remaining $17,500.Community Connect (Security Camera Grant)This program provides funding for exterior security cameras to improve safety.Lindy’s was awarded and received $19,896.15 for security camera installation.Renovate and ReinvestThis was a matching grant program for property improvements aimed at enhancing building conditions and economic performance.The program is now closed for applications.There is no record of an application from Lindy’s.Fresh CoatThis program supports exterior improvements such as paint and murals within Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas.The program recently closed, and awards have not yet been announced.There is no record of an application from Lindy’s.New Mexico Tourism Department Statement“The Route 66 Centennial Grant program was a competitive grant where all applicants were required to provide detailed proposals for project goals. It was determined by the review process that this application provided an inadequate amount of information about how this project relates to specific goals stated in the program objectives. NMTD awarded this grant for two fiscal years.” — Cody Johnsons, Communications Director Note: According to NMTD, the second cycle of grant was final and will not be reopened for applications. Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Statement“The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) routinely receives requests for assistance with renovations and repairs from privately owned businesses. In March 2026, MRA received an inquiry from real estate advisor Anthony Lotto, representing Steve and Dawn Vatoseow, inquiring about potential financial assistance from the City for repairs to Lindy’s Diner. The requested amount ranged from $1.5 million to $3.2 million. Unfortunately, the City is unable to provide funding for major repairs to individually owned businesses due to budget constraints. Mr. Lotto was informed that the City does not have resources available at that level to support significant renovations; however, information was provided regarding the City’s seven-year tax abatement program.” — Operations Manager, Sarah SuppleWhat’s Next for Lindy’s Diner?Vateseow told KOAT they will try to raise funds to address structural safety concerns with the City of Albuquerque. According to Vateseow, the structural repairs will cost $250,000. According to the Code Enforcement notice, the owners have 14 days from the date of notice issued on April 20, 2026, to respond, submit structural engineer’s report, acquire a building permit, take corrective action and comply. As of Tuesday evening, Vateseow told KOAT they don’t have access to the building. However, she was assured they would have access by 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Stay updated on the latest from the 2026 Gubernatorial race on the KOAT app. Download here
The City of Albuquerque red-tagged and shutdown the historic Lindy’s Diner in southwest Albuquerque over safety concerns on Monday, April 21, 2026. According to the City’s Code Enforcement Division Report, the red tag was issued for an “unsafe structure” inside of Lindy’s Diner. According to the owners, the building is 100-years-old. However, the restaurant opened in 1929 as Coney Island Cafe.
250,00
MORE: Inspection forces closure of Lindy’s Diner in Downtown Albuquerque
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, KOAT spoke with co-owner Dawn Vateseow on the sudden closure. Vateseow told KOAT they were aware of the structural concerns with the building and applied for grants through the City and State of New Mexico over the years, but to no avail.
The owners also sent KOAT documentation and e-mails of inquiries submitted for assistance with structural concerns in 2024. KOAT also spoke with the City of Albuquerque on its reasoning for the red-tag a month after an initial inspection that addressed minimal concerns.
Related: Lindy’s Diner feeds the unhoused on Thanksgiving Day
“Well, it certainly isn’t the way that we wanted to go out, that’s for sure. I would have liked to have gone out on our own terms and say goodbye to our customers. We appreciate each and every one of them, and we’re going to miss them so much. We have spent a lifetime serving Albuquerque and loving every minute of it,” Vateseow told KOAT.
“We applied for grants. The grant process is not an easy process to do. Most of those grants have to be picked up by a municipality. They have to be the ones to apply for the grant. The money doesn’t come directly to you. It comes to the city of Albuquerque,” Vateseow said. “Then, they dispense it out to the people that have applied for those grants. It is a lengthy process and everything takes money. There’s only so much that you can afford to do without help trying to keep this building going.”
Video below: Lindy’s Diner earns national recognition by Food Network
On Tuesday, KOAT also reached out to the New Mexico Tourism regarding the reasoning for denial for Vateseow’s Route 66 Infrastructure grant as well grants applied through the City and with assistance through the City of Albuquerque. Both statements are below.
“Code Enforcement’s initial inspection was just of the exterior of the building and of the roof. The findings from that inspection warranted a follow-up inspection which is what happened yesterday,” City of Albuquerque’s public information officer Tim Walsh said. “Code Enforcement found some pretty severely damaged lateral support and that is a life safety risk, so that’s why they had they had to issue the red tag.”
Vateseow disputed the City’s account, stating ” That is not true. They were inside of the place. They took pictures in the inside of the place. Two weeks ago, a week ago. It’s been a continual barrage,” Vateseow said. “We have a few neighbors that continuously called several times a day, both of which wanted the building. So, they just got sick of the constant phone calls coming in and just said, ‘that’s it, we’re red tagging, fencing. Get a structural engineer over here.”
“We’ve had a structural engineer come in. He’s retired now, but he’s the one that worked on the building some years back. We put steel all the way around the inside of the dining room and the restaurant. It’s all the way around to hold the weight of the upstairs,” Vateseow said.
According to the City of Albuquerque, The City’s Code Enforcement Division conducted a follow-up inspection on Monday, April 20, 2026 after complaints submitted through 3-1-1 about the building’s condition which prompted an initial inspection last week.
City of Albuquerque Statements
“Local mom-and-pop businesses make our city so special, but we also have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that businesses are safe for everyone. While Lindy’s Diner is a treasured landmark, it was rightfully determined to be unsafe and uninhabitable under current conditions. We will do what we can to help keep Lindy’s and this historic corner.” —Alex Curtas, Communications Director for Mayor Tim Keller
City of Albuquerque Deputy Communications Director MiKayla Ortega confirmed the City of Albuquerque’s Planning Department proactively assisted Lindy’s Diner in applying for the ‘Preserve Route 66 Combined Grant’ in 2025. Ortega also sent to KOAT the following:
Please see below for a full assessment of Lindy’s applications and disbursements within the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency:
Storefront Activation Grant (2022)
This program was designed to reduce vacant ground-floor spaces downtown by supporting new businesses or expansions into vacant storefronts.
- Lindy’s was awarded $35,000 to expand and open Narke.
- They received the first disbursement of $17,500 on March 9, 2022.
- Narke closed after only a few months, which put them out of compliance with the grant terms.
- As a result, they did not receive the remaining $17,500.
Community Connect (Security Camera Grant)
This program provides funding for exterior security cameras to improve safety.
- Lindy’s was awarded and received $19,896.15 for security camera installation.
Renovate and Reinvest
This was a matching grant program for property improvements aimed at enhancing building conditions and economic performance.
- The program is now closed for applications.
- There is no record of an application from Lindy’s.
Fresh Coat
This program supports exterior improvements such as paint and murals within Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas.
- The program recently closed, and awards have not yet been announced.
- There is no record of an application from Lindy’s.
New Mexico Tourism Department Statement
“The Route 66 Centennial Grant program was a competitive grant where all applicants were required to provide detailed proposals for project goals. It was determined by the review process that this application provided an inadequate amount of information about how this project relates to specific goals stated in the program objectives. NMTD awarded this grant for two fiscal years.” — Cody Johnsons, Communications Director
Note: According to NMTD, the second cycle of grant was final and will not be reopened for applications.
Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Statement
“The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) routinely receives requests for assistance with renovations and repairs from privately owned businesses. In March 2026, MRA received an inquiry from real estate advisor Anthony Lotto, representing Steve and Dawn Vatoseow, inquiring about potential financial assistance from the City for repairs to Lindy’s Diner. The requested amount ranged from $1.5 million to $3.2 million.
Unfortunately, the City is unable to provide funding for major repairs to individually owned businesses due to budget constraints. Mr. Lotto was informed that the City does not have resources available at that level to support significant renovations; however, information was provided regarding the City’s seven-year tax abatement program.” — Operations Manager, Sarah Supple
What’s Next for Lindy’s Diner?
Vateseow told KOAT they will try to raise funds to address structural safety concerns with the City of Albuquerque. According to the Code Enforcement notice, the owners have 14 days from the date of notice issued on April 20, 2026, to respond, submit structural engineer’s report, acquire a building permit, take corrective action and comply.
As of Tuesday evening, Vateseow told KOAT they don’t have access to the building. However, she was assured they would have access by 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
Stay updated on the latest from the 2026 Gubernatorial race on the KOAT app. Download
