The City Council of Joliet, Ill., approved zoning changes Monday that would allow a developer to convert a long-closed church into senior housing and a Route 66 visitors center, reported the Chicago Tribune. St. Mary’s Carmelite Church, built in 1882, had been closed for 20 years in downtown Joliet. The developer, Celadon Holdings of Chicago, … Continue reading Zoning approved to convert Joliet church to senior housing, Route 66 center
Category: Museums
Litchfield wants more data about Route 66 museum before giving money
The City Council of Litchfield, Ill., wants more information from the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center before it honors a request for a $20,000 donation, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Museum officials initially requested $100,000 in motel tax funds from the city. But Mayor Tom Jones and other councilors reduced that amount, and … Continue reading Litchfield wants more data about Route 66 museum before giving money
Rail museum in Kingman will likely open in late July
A room at the Amtrak Train Depot in Kingman, Ariz., will be devoted toy trains and other railroad memorabilia when when a local train club opens it later this month, reported the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper. The Whistle Stop Railroad Club repaired some broken-down toy trains and railcars, and now have them operating. More about … Continue reading Rail museum in Kingman will likely open in late July
Bel-Aire Motel ruled out for Springfield Route 66 museum
The historic Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Ill., has been quietly withdrawn as a possible site for a Route 66 visitors center and museum, reported The State Journal-Register. A group of tourism, city and planning officials has been meeting informally about the idea in recent weeks, including an analysis by the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel ruled out for Springfield Route 66 museum
Santa Rosa’s debt triples
The City of the Santa Rosa, N.M.'s debt from a gross receipts tax appeal has skyrocketed from $400,000 to an eye-popping $1.21 million, reported today's print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based in Santa Rosa. That amount is well over half of the Route 66 town's general fund budget in a year. Mayor Albert … Continue reading Santa Rosa’s debt triples
Grants joins Santa Rosa in taking a big financial hit
The latest print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator added a grim twist to the previous week's big story about the sudden fiscal crisis gripping the City of Santa Rosa, N.M. -- the fellow Route 66 town of Grants, N.M., faces a huge financial hit for similar reasons. Santa Rosa learned in late June that … Continue reading Grants joins Santa Rosa in taking a big financial hit
Litchfield Route 66 museum asks for hotel tax funds
Board members for the under-construction Litchfield Route 66 Museum and Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill., requested $100,000 in hotel-tax funds from the city for equipment and supplies, reported The Journal-News. However, a city committee trimmed that possible grant to $20,000, and it still has to be approved by the full council. Officials undoubtedly balked at … Continue reading Litchfield Route 66 museum asks for hotel tax funds
Victorville will add County Route 66 markers in city
The City of Victorville, Calif., voted to add County Route 66 signs to help travelers seeking out the Mother Road through town, reported the Victorville Daily Press. According to the newspaper: On Tuesday, the Victorville City Council unanimously approved to put up signs near three locations: The California Route 66 Museum, Emma Jean’s Holland Burger … Continue reading Victorville will add County Route 66 markers in city
How to navigate around a bridge project in Joliet
The historic Ruby Street Bridge in Joliet, Ill., is being repaired for the next four months starting Monday, reported Illinois Route 66 expert John Weiss. Alas, the official detour bypasses southbound visitors from Joliet entirely. However, Weiss emailed these directions for those who want to stay close to Route 66: Route 66 travelers should not follow … Continue reading How to navigate around a bridge project in Joliet
Santa Rosa fiscal crisis likely will impact its bid for museum
The City of Santa Rosa, N.M., faces a financial "catastrophe" after the state suddenly withheld $160,000 in gross receipts taxes in June, with an extra $240,000 reportedly withheld in the coming weeks, reported the current print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator in Santa Rosa. The state abruptly withheld the money after an undisclosed business … Continue reading Santa Rosa fiscal crisis likely will impact its bid for museum