Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding

The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau announced what it will do with more than $800,000 in state Route 66 funding.

It includes an RV park and campground at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston; a mural at the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield; a drive-through Route 66 shield at Country Classic Cars in Staunton; and a neon sign park in Granite City.

The Riverbender news outlet had these details:

A total of $300,000 in grant funds will be used to create the Area 66 Campground and RV Park at the Pink Elephant in Livingston. The project will also include electric vehicle charging stations at the facility. […]

Grant funds will also be used to create an electric experience in Granite City as the city’s ghost neon signs are brought back to life. A block of the district will be transformed into a new experience called “It’s Electric on Route 66” and will include replicas of Route 66 neon signs, a music bandstand and EV charging stations. The project will be paid for with $425,000 in grant funds.

Grant funds are also earmarked for the following Route 66 projects:

— $45,000 for a drive-through Route 66 Shield at Country Classic Cars.

— Interior and exterior upgrades to the Ariston Café in honor of its 100th birthday in 2024.

— $25,000 for a 20-foot by 60-foot mural at the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield.

— $20,000 for near gateway entry signs for the City of Girard in partnership with the city and the Girard Chamber of Commerce.

Last month, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program.