The New Mexico Legislature's capital-outlays package includes $2 million for Albuquerque's proposed Route 66 Visitors Center and another $50,000 for Route 66 signage in the city. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque listed more than 100 projects approved by the Legislature and governor, including the two Route 66 items. The Route 66 Visitors Center on Nine Mile Hill … Continue reading State awards $2 million for Route 66 Visitors Center in Albuquerque
Category: Towns
Improvements may come to Albuquerque’s west side of Route 66
The city of Albuquerque is considering improvements to its stretch of Route 66 on the west side of town. The stretch in question is from Unser Boulevard to 98th Street along Central Avenue (aka Route 66), according to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque. It's about 1.5 miles. The station explained: That strip of Central doesn't look like … Continue reading Improvements may come to Albuquerque’s west side of Route 66
Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Business, county and city officials are seeking a better plan to market Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, after acknowledging other cities on the route "increased their game.” A lengthy story in the Springfield State Journal-Register states the city is trying to reposition itself to Route 66 travelers at the highway's centennial looms in 2026. According … Continue reading Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead
A tornado flattened the Budget Inn Motel along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, and killed at least two people. The twister also hit a trailer park and several businesses along the U.S. 81 (aka Route 66) corridor in the city about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, The Oklahoman reported. “I think El Reno Oklahoma needs a … Continue reading Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead
Classical Gas Museum owner makes new pitch for Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa
Johnnie Meier, owner of the Classical Gas Museum and a longtime Route 66 advocate, presented a new set of ideas for establishing a Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. According to the May 16 print edition of The Communicator newspaper in Santa Rosa, the city recently took control of the refurbished and century-old … Continue reading Classical Gas Museum owner makes new pitch for Route 66 museum in Santa Rosa
Tulsa County to spend up to $2M to upgrade Golden Driller site
Tulsa County plans to spend $1.25 million to $2 million to improve the historic Golden Driller site at Expo Square in Tulsa. And Route 66 is an impetus for the upgrades, an official said. According to the Tulsa World, which talked to Expo Square President and CEO Mark Andrus: The new plaza is intended to … Continue reading Tulsa County to spend up to $2M to upgrade Golden Driller site
$1.5M sought for Albuquerque’s Central Avenue for extra cops, marketing
Several Albuquerque city councilors want $1.5 million to hire extra police officers and pay for marketing to boost Central Avenue, aka Route 66, after the ill-conceived Albuquerque Rapid Transit project decimated the corridor. The four councilors expect the money from a new internet sales tax that will generate an estimated $6 million a year. The … Continue reading $1.5M sought for Albuquerque’s Central Avenue for extra cops, marketing
Route 66 Museum and Visitor Center in Los Lunas comes more into focus
The purpose and scope of a long-proposed Route 66 Museum and Visitor Center in Los Lunas, New Mexico, became clearer after hearing opinions from residents during a recent meeting. The museum will be west of the historic Luna Mansion on Main Street on a 1926 to 1937 alignment of Route 66 that went south from … Continue reading Route 66 Museum and Visitor Center in Los Lunas comes more into focus
Route 66 Crossroads organization to focus on upcoming centennial
Route 66 Crossroads, a new nonprofit organization based in Kingman, Arizona, will focus on the highway's 2026 centennial among its goals to boost tourism and economic opportunities for communities along the Mother Road. Route 66 Crossroads, a federally recognized nonprofit that formed March 1, stated in a news release last week: The organization will be … Continue reading Route 66 Crossroads organization to focus on upcoming centennial
Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center
The Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau stated last week it likely would sell a 1920s-era garage it once considered renovating into a Route 66 visitors center. The city in 2014 purchased the garage at 1109 Broadway (aka Route 66) and several adjoining lots for $18,500. The city spent nearly $5,000 more to repair the structure's … Continue reading Joplin CVB to sell off 1920s garage it once considered for visitors center