A developer is seeking to redevelop the historic but long-closed St. Mary Carmelite Church in Joliet, Illinois, into a large restaurant and apartments, according to the Joliet Bugle. “A loan has been secured, and they are going to close in April,” Mayor Tom Giarrante said on Friday. “I am very happy. It is a beautiful … Continue reading Joliet church will be redeveloped into a restaurant, apartments
Category: Preservation
Rock Creek Bridge reopens to traffic
The historic Rock Creek Bridge near Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was reopened to traffic Wednesday morning after a ceremony marking the occasion attended by the state's lieutenant governor. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb was there to cut the ceremonial ribbon to the bridge, then rode in an antique car across the historic span, along with several dozen other … Continue reading Rock Creek Bridge reopens to traffic
National Trust shepherds preservation plan for Southwest Museum
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has added the century-old Southwest Museum of the American Indian as a "national treasure" and is devising a plan for its future, according to the Los Angeles Times. Here's what the newspaper found out: Over the next 18 months, the Washington, D.C.-based National Trust will gather ideas and build … Continue reading National Trust shepherds preservation plan for Southwest Museum
Pacific lands grant to buy scenic lookout
The city of Pacific, Missouri, has been awarded a $350,000 grant to help buy Lookout on Jensen’s Point off Route 66, reported the Washington Missourian. The St. Louis County Parks awarded the grant earlier this month. Pacific's parks and recreation department will use the landmark after the sale with longtime owner Wayne Winchester goes through. … Continue reading Pacific lands grant to buy scenic lookout
Oklahoma may repair or replace railings on historic bridges
Mead & Hunt, an engineering and planning firm with offices nationwide, is working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on the possibility of repairing or replacing railings on historic bridges along the Route 66 corridor. Route 66 in Oklahoma is designated a National Scenic Byway and is developing a Corridor Management Plan to help preserve … Continue reading Oklahoma may repair or replace railings on historic bridges
Kingman Club sign restored
The owner of a soon-to-open craft beer and wine bar in downtown Kingman, Arizona, restored the famous Kingman Club neon sign and relighted it during a ceremony Saturday night. The House of Hops, which plans to open by summer, are taking over a tavern that dates to 1944. According to a variety of sources, the … Continue reading Kingman Club sign restored
Applications for NPS cost-share grants are available
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, administered by the National Park Service, announced this week that applications are available for its annual cost-share grants. Applications will be accepted through March 27. More about the program: The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program provides funding assistance in the form of cost-share grants to support the preservation of … Continue reading Applications for NPS cost-share grants are available
State will inspect Gasconade River Bridge this week
Inspectors from the Missouri Department of Transportation will take a closer look at the historic but now-closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen and see what can be done, said a MoDOT official Saturday at Route 66 Association of Missouri meeting in Rolla. Bob Lynch, a MoDOT engineer, gave more specifics about the bridge's problems and the … Continue reading State will inspect Gasconade River Bridge this week
Historic theater in South Pasadena sold
The historic but closed Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, has been sold to a developer with a history of renovating and reopening old buildings in downtown Los Angeles, reported the Los Angeles Times. Izek Shomof wants to turn the theater into an entertainment venue that could include a bar and showing old movies as … Continue reading Historic theater in South Pasadena sold
Effort to save the Gasconade Bridge goes beyond the rally
Last week, "Roamin' Rich" Dinkela organized a rally at the foot of Route 66's Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, that was closed Dec. 18 by the state because of deterioration. The rally was designed to urge the Missouri Department of Transportation to repair, not replace, the 90-year-old bridge. Dinkela's efforts continued beyond the rally. … Continue reading Effort to save the Gasconade Bridge goes beyond the rally