The Tulsa Route 66 Commission recently boosted the money available for its neon-sign grant program by 60 percent.
According to Tulsa Public Radio, the commission’s revised budget is allocating $40,000 for the program, instead of the $25,000 originally proposed.
The commission will award matching grants up to $10,000 for new signs or repairs to existing ones. A neon corridor is the goal.
“Just a handful of small signs is not going to make a big visual impact. So, we want to enable our business owners on Route 66 and property owners to be able to get really creative and do something very cool,” said Tulsa Route 66 Commission member Amanda DeCort.
There are some technical details to work out with the City of Tulsa, but the commission hopes to begin awarding grants in February.
The report states a citywide neon overlay district covering the Tulsa Route 66 alignments of 11th Street and Admiral Place and extensions at major intersections will be eligible for the grants.
This is a welcome development for Route 66, and it will be interesting to see what businesses apply for these grants.
Perhaps other towns along the Mother Road will take note and start their own neon-sign programs.
(Image of the Oasis Motel neon sign along Route 66 in Tulsa by Tom Baddley via Flickr)