The Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader reports that state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, has introduced a bill that would protect the long-closed Illinois State Police District 6 headquarters on Route 66 in Pontiac.
Senate Bill 768 would transfer ownership of the unique gun-shaped building to Livingston County for $10. The building recently had been declared state surplus, although it hasn’t yet been auctioned.
Rutherford envisions a four-phase project, up to 10 years long, to help preserve the building:
In Phase 1, the land surrounding the building will be used as a park and picnic area for travelers on Route 66. Phase 2 would be preserving the exterior of the building, including tuckpointing. That would result in the interior being protected from any significant further deterioration.
Phase 3, which could wait until money is raised, would be remediation of the interior of the building – asbestos abatement or “whatever it needs,” Rutherford told The Leader.
The final phase would be determining “what is the best use of the building,” he said. […]
If it is financially possible, “many would like to refurbish the interior of the building for other purposes which highlight the history of the ‘Mother Road,'” Rutherford said in his news release.
There’s more in the story and the news release from Rutherford.
It sounds like Rutherford “gets it” in terms of the Mother Road’s value, and he seeks to involve the local and Route 66 community with this plan. (Then again, he’s from Chenoa, which also is a Route 66 town.) He’s even talked to former state troopers who worked in the building.
The state police building was constructed in 1941 and was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
The bill’s prospects seem good when it’s scheduled to come up to a vote Tuesday. Its co-sponsor is Sen. Emil Jones, D-Chicago, president of the Senate.
That’s what I call bipartisan support. Apparently Route 66 crosses all political lines.
Perhaps a police museum would be appropriate.