Aztec hotel being converted into apartments for seniors

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- A hotel in Aztec is stepping back from the hotel business.

The Step Back Inn is being converted into an apartment complex for women who are 60 years old and older.

"I’m going to try to build a community of like-minded women so that they will have someone to talk to, somebody to do things with," said Tweeti Blancett, owner of the building.

Each room is fully furnished. Tenants will also have their own kitchen, living room and bedroom.

Blancett said her apartments are an alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

"The women must be independent– physically, mentally and financially," she said. "This is not assisted-living. There’s nobody going to come into your room and check your temperature. There’s nobody that’s going to take you to the doctor. We do have some services that the senior center is going to provide us, but they are complementary."

Blancett says security is important, and they don’t plan on taking it easy with their safety measures.

"There’s one way in and one way out, and it’s all caught on video camera, so to come into this building we know you’re coming," she said.

The apartments are available for rent in August.