ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – City leaders want the owners of the Lofts at Albuquerque High to open a courtyard closed for decades, or renegotiate their contract.

When the former high school became apartments with city and federal funds, the courtyard was supposed to count as city property.

The area has stayed closed for the last 25 years. On Monday, city leaders placed a moratorium to open the gates in the hands of the Finance & Government Operations Committee.

The closed gates were not an issue until June of this year, when the Historic Campus Association that oversees the lofts, received a letter from the city.

Residents have expressed concern that if the gates are open, it will create a safety problems.