A Bernalillo County commissioner asked for a marketing study for the proposed Route 66 Visitor Center planned for Albuquerque's west side before it breaks ground. According to the Albuquerque Journal: County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley recently introduced a resolution requiring that a third party consultant evaluate the “proposed uses for the Route 66 Visitors Center and … Continue reading Marketing study requested for planned Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
Category: Towns
Whistleblower lawsuit alleges safety shortcuts in Albuquerque Rapid Transit
A traffic engineer filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the city of Albuquerque, alleging he was fired after expressing concerns about traffic safety problems with the troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project that may have led to two deaths. The Albuquerque Journal first reported about John Kolessar's lawsuit filed Friday in district court in Albuquerque. In addition … Continue reading Whistleblower lawsuit alleges safety shortcuts in Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Rutgers professor, Route 66 Road Ahead assembling a case studies project
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced last week it was putting together a Route 66 Case Studies Project with a Rutgers University professor to help Route 66 towns learn to use the road for economic development. The professor is David Listokin, who shepherded and co-wrote the influential Route 66 Economic Impact Study in 2012 … Continue reading Rutgers professor, Route 66 Road Ahead assembling a case studies project
Reader’s Digest names Kingman the nicest place in Arizona
Reader's Digest proclaimed the Route 66 town of Kingman as the Nicest Place in Arizona because of the way the townsfolk treated a homeless man -- a nice bounceback after an ugly PR nightmare last year involving prankster Sacha Baron Cohen. The editors at Reader's Digest wrote this about Kingman: Ask people what they like … Continue reading Reader’s Digest names Kingman the nicest place in Arizona
Tulsa adding 29 historical markers along Route 66
Tulsa will erect a total of 29 historical markers along Route 66 in the next few weeks, continuing that city's embrace of its Mother Road heritage. The markers first were envisioned back in 2005 as part of the original Vision 2025 sales tax for Route 66 projects. The markers will cost $111,000, which included about … Continue reading Tulsa adding 29 historical markers along Route 66
Former Randall’s Route 66 Diner in Sapulpa likely to be a marijuana processing facility
The site of the closed Randall's Route 66 Diner in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, likely will become a marijuana processing facility. KTUL-TV in nearby Tulsa reported this development. At least one downtown business owner isn't too pleased with it: "I'll be concerned with safety and people walking by," said downtown Sapulpa business owner Pamela Manuel.A business … Continue reading Former Randall’s Route 66 Diner in Sapulpa likely to be a marijuana processing facility
ABQ city council OKs tourism package that includes money for Route 66 visitor center
The Albuquerque City Council this week approved a $30.5 million sports tourism bond package that includes $2.5 million for a proposed Route 66 visitor center on the city's west side. Coincidentally, designers for the nearly $13 million Route 66 visitors center gave a presentation during the same city council meeting. You can start the video … Continue reading ABQ city council OKs tourism package that includes money for Route 66 visitor center
Tulsa approves three more applications for neon grants
Three more applications for neon-sign grants in Tulsa were approved along the Route 66 corridor, along with their designs. The ones approved were: Cities Service, West 17th and Southwest BoulevardFlo’s Burger Diner, 2604 E. 11th St.Renaissance Brewing Company, 1147 S. Lewis Ave. Dennis Whitaker, a planner for the Indian Nations Council of Governments, emailed the … Continue reading Tulsa approves three more applications for neon grants
Another Route 66 sign disappears from Grants
I received word Friday from a reader that another sign from a long-defunct Route 66 motel was taken down and hauled away. Here's the email I received from Keith Kofford: Grants lost another Route 66 sign last week (9-10-19) when the Los Alamitos Motel sign was taken. A crew with large equipment was spotted by … Continue reading Another Route 66 sign disappears from Grants
Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes
This weekend's 49th annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln, Illinois, will attempt to break a world record for the most people dressed as Honest Abe in one place. According to a news release about the Sept. 21-22 festival: The public is invited by the Logan County Tourism Bureau to help break the World … Continue reading Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes