The so-called Firehouse 66 project, planned for a historic fire station in Clinton, Oklahoma, recently received $656,928 through the Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program.
According to the Clinton Daily News (subscription required), project architect Andrew Stone described what he wanted to do with the Works Progress Administration building.
“It’s basically restoring the service of the firehouse to the community, but in a new way, by offering a place to have events, family reunions, food trucks, classes – all those types of things.” […]
The revitalization includes several additions and updates, according to Stone. “Redoing all of the downstairs, all of the windows, all of the mechanicals – redoing the front doors on the front, making them all nice glass overhead doors, adding a small visitor center, redoing the bathrooms, and then redoing all the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, so there’s enough capacity to handle a food truck.”
City Manager Robert Johnston said there was no timeline yet to complete the work, though city officials hope the venue could host functions by fall. It previously served as a spot for the city’s ambulance service.
The idea of repurposing the fire station came to light last fall.
According to the Route 66 Times, the fire station at 523 W. Gary Blvd., aka Route 66, was built in 1939. The city built a new fire station in 2014.
(Excerpt from Google Street View of the old fire station in Clinton, Oklahoma)