Thanks to everyone for all of their information and advice. We needed all of it. Due to it's precarious posistioning we had to cut the stalk. And yes, it is just like felling a tree. All went well but it woke up the neighbors when it hit the ground. Today we have had numerous neighbors ringing our doorbell to give us their condolences. It had become the neighborhood meeting place. We have it's sister plant also with a 40-ft spike and are considering having a 'going-away' party for it with the neighbors. One last irony: This agave had been a favorite of my mom. As she became ill in another state, I would send her pictures of it's growth but we didn't expect it to bloom for many years. When I returned from her funeral, it had started to bloom and it was only 3-1/2 years old. I am a romantic, but I think it was my mom & the agave's gift to me during such a sad time. It surely did brighten my days and gave us something happy to dwell on.

Without a photo its kinda hard to help. But you should be using a fast draining cactus putting soil. If the soil is moist I would remove the agave and allow the roots to dry before repotting.

Thanks for all the support. The plants have been in place for almost two years, so I cant blame the landscaper who planted them. But they are RAPIDLY dying. :( I have not spoken to my neighbor as they have been out of town and frankly they will not know anymore than I do. I paid an "expert" recommended by a nursery $80 to look at the plants who was no help! He said it could be beetles, but maybe not, that it could be the intense heat we've had, but maybe not. What a waste of money. He said he would give me a quote to maintain the yard and and also a separate quote to move the plants that were in the sun and needed to be in the shade, and vice versa. He never got back to me and has not returned my phone call. I have a landscaper who looked at it yesterday and says he knows how to treat it. He said it's not beetles, but some sort of fungus? It will cost $200 to treat. They will use some sort of granules. He doesnt think it will hurt the wildlife as it needs to be wetted down and mixed into the soil. They are coming today. They will also maintain the yard twice a month. He and his brother used to work for a top desert landscape architect and were recommended by the contractor working on my home. I will keep you guys updated!!!

Usually plant doesn't come back from bad rot. Occasionally, it heals but I would think rotting would be less than what it looks like in your photo. It is difficult for me to tell for sure from photo if they are just drying up (which is normal for oldest leaves), but you mentioned 'squishy and icky' - that is for sure rot. I am talking about the 3 leaves in your 1st pic. Plant potted in bowl-like pot looks ok to me, so perhaps it wasn't damaged by rot. I am bit confused: What is the plant you are holding in 2nd pic - is that another plant or? It doesn't look same as pic 2. And what are small plants in same photo? Sorry I can't tell, first 2 pic are quite small to tell for sure (at least for me...:)