Demolition begins for Wash Tub Laundromat as owner hopes to eventually rebuild

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Demolition began on Monday for the iconic Downtown-area laundromat that went up in flames on Central in February . Now, the owner hopes to rebuild.

“I kind of woke up, and I walked out here, and as you can see, they’re still hosing most of it, but the smoke and debris that was floating over from the fire was actually getting sucked into our AC units and causing a carbon monoxide warning,” said neighbor Derek Klein.

Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded early in the morning on Sunday, February 18, to a fire at Central and 11th. After three hours, the fire was under control, but the building was a total loss: leaving neighbors without a convenient place to wash their clothes.

“Honestly, I miss it. I really kind of wish it would come back. Not only would I be happy, my wife and even some of the residents here would be happy because it would help us with bigger items to launder,” said Klein.

Surveillance video from that day appears to show a homeless camp on the north side of the building where what starts as a small fire, quickly grows after an electrical box explodes. Neighbors said not only has the charred property become an eyesore, but it’s also attracted crime.

Hunter Greene said the laundromat has served downtown neighborhoods for about 60 years. He’s owned it for more than two decades and wants to rebuild.

“We’re working through the insurance claims, and of course, still working on the demolition portion of the insurance claim. We’re still waiting for pricing on the construction cost and then, of course, equipment,” said Greene.

Until the fire, the Wash Tub was open seven days a week and featured in film and TV productions.

“It’s the only laundromat in the Downtown area. It’s been there for many years. It’s convenient for a lot of the folks that live in and around the Downtown area,” said Greene.

According to Greene, there is no time frame yet on when building that new laundromat could start.

No one was injured in the fire. AFR said they are still investigating the fire, and they have not identified a person of interest.

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