The Albuquerque City Council just voted 7-1 to approve the designation of the historic El Vado Motel as a city landmark. The designation will take effect June 1, with a provision in the ordinance stating that no demolition permits can be issued for the property between now and then. Film at 11 (ABQ time, that … Continue reading 7 to 1 for El Vado
Category: Preservation
El Vado is on Albuquerque city council agenda
The proposal to designate El Vado Motel a city landmark at the Albuquerque City Council meeting Monday night has been placed on the agenda. It's not 100 percent certain, but the fact it's on the agenda means a decision is probable. So if you haven't e-mailed the councilors, asking them to approve the landmarks designation, … Continue reading El Vado is on Albuquerque city council agenda
A Valentine for 66
Jerry Ueckert, a Route 66 enthusiast from Edgewood, N.M., reports that he has purchased a Valentine diner in Magdalena, N.M. He plans to move the diner onto his property on Route 66 and restore it. Ueckert says the diner appears to be the Aristocrat model. The Kansas State Historical Society gives the following description of … Continue reading A Valentine for 66
More on AZ gas stations
EPA put out a press release yesterday on the Route 66 Initiative to deal with abandoned gas stations along the Mother Road in Navajo County, AZ. The initiative has been covered here previously. Here's the upshot: EPA and the Arizona DEQ had a couple of public meetings yesterday and today -- one at the incomparable … Continue reading More on AZ gas stations
Railroad bridge already is being torn down
This refers to the old railroad bridge the spanned old Illinois 157 in Edwardsville, which is an alignment of Route 66. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the dismantling process of the bridge already has begun. I don't know whether the road crews are finished, but it sure sounds like it: On Tuesday, crews were hauling … Continue reading Railroad bridge already is being torn down
American Inn Motel in Albuquerque condemned
I was watching the video online of the Albuquerque City Council's meeting of Jan. 18, searching for any mentions of the introduction of the Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado Motel a city landmark. Since it was just an introduction, councilors didn't discuss it and won't until at least their Feb. 6 meeting. But … Continue reading American Inn Motel in Albuquerque condemned
El Vado Motel owner’s appeal is a big zero
Baseless. That was the conclusion I reached after reading a copy of the formal appeal filed by new El Vado Motel owner Richard Gonzales. He's protesting the Albuquerque Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado at city landmark. I'll address Gonzales' complaints one by one briefly: That El Vado is not economically and socially viable. … Continue reading El Vado Motel owner’s appeal is a big zero
Atlanta, Ill., isn’t resting on its laurels
In another story today from the Bloomington Pantagraph, the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill. -- already a swell little place to visit -- is seeking more ways to preserve the town's past, including forming a historic preservation commission. "We want to figure out how we can do more for Route 66," said local businessman … Continue reading Atlanta, Ill., isn’t resting on its laurels
Newspaper reports El Vado being up for sale
The Albuquerque Tribune is reporting what we reported Saturday -- that El Vado Motel on Route 66 in the Duke City is sale by new owner Richard L. Gonzales for $3.25 million. A few things in the article stick out: Last month, the city Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission voted to recommend that the City … Continue reading Newspaper reports El Vado being up for sale
Man wants to save Edwardsville railroad bridge
It may be too late to do anything about it, but John Fritsche wishes to preserve a railroad bridge over Route 66 in Edwardsville. The Intelligencer newspaper has the story. Part of the problem is the bridge will make way in the next 30 days or so for improvements to Illinois Highway 157, which is … Continue reading Man wants to save Edwardsville railroad bridge