Atlanta, Illinois -- citing its wish to keep its town attractive to Route 66 tourists -- has levied fines totaling over $100,000 each to two property owners it says violated ordinances. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported Mark Armstrong of Choctaw, Oklahoma, is dealing with a total of $112,500 in fines for his alleged failure to repair a building at 205 … Continue reading Atlanta levies six-figure fines against ordinance violators
Category: Towns
Lowriders, twerkers shut down Route 66 in Albuquerque
By now, you've probably seen an Associated Press report about how an unauthorized music-video shoot Saturday turned into an impromptu street party of 300 people -- including lowriders and twerkers -- that shut down Route 66 in Albuquerque. It seems like a silly story for AP to distribute around the globe. But the news service chooses to highlight … Continue reading Lowriders, twerkers shut down Route 66 in Albuquerque
Owners of Milagro gas station soon will retire
The longtime owners of the Milagro gas station west of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will retire by the end of August. The future of the Route 66 landmark remains unknown. Last week's print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator reported Rudy and Doris Marquez will turn in the keys to the station after 24 years because … Continue reading Owners of Milagro gas station soon will retire
Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday lifted an injunction that prevented the city of Albuquerque from beginning construction on the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit project on Central Avenue, aka Route 66. The Albuquerque Journal reported construction may begin next week, although work may be pushed back to Sept. 3. The newspaper reported: Friday’s order simply lifts … Continue reading Appeals court lifts stoppage on Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
Grants soon will open Route 66 Neon Drive-Thru
The city of Grants, New Mexico, is opening a Route 66 Neon Drive-Thru -- a neon-outlined Route 66 shield motorists can drive their cars or pickups through. A ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the structure will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, according to a Facebook post by Grants Mainstreet Project Inc. Lemonade, watermelon and live music will be … Continue reading Grants soon will open Route 66 Neon Drive-Thru
Appellate court halts ART contruction
A federal appeals court on Monday put the brakes on construction of the $120 million Albuquerque Rapid Transit project, issuing a temporary restraining order. Construction was schedule to begin on ART as soon as Wednesday. The city of Albuquerque won a federal court battle late Friday when a judge refused to issue a restraining order against … Continue reading Appellate court halts ART contruction
What’s next for opponents of Albuquerque Rapid Transit?
Opponents of the $120 million Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan last week lost their courtroom bid to stop it, and construction likely will begin by Wednesday. However, ART foes still have a couple of arrows left in their quiver. --- ART opponents filed an appeal one day after the federal judge's ruling late Friday to turn down a preliminary … Continue reading What’s next for opponents of Albuquerque Rapid Transit?
Judge refuses to stop Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
A judge late Friday refused to grant a preliminary injunction against construction of the nine-mile Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus system that would go down the heart of Central Avenue, aka Route 66. Construction on ART likely will begin by the middle of next week. The project will take at least 15 months to complete. U.S. … Continue reading Judge refuses to stop Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction
Albuquerque offers olive branch to Route 66 businesses
As Albuquerque and dozens of businesses awaited a judge's ruling this week on a lawsuit against the Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan, the city unveiled a new website touting the Route 66 corridor and gave details about a loan program for those affected businesses. The city launched ABQ66.com, which includes interactive listings of restaurants, retail, coffee shops, bars, entertainment, motels, … Continue reading Albuquerque offers olive branch to Route 66 businesses
Goal: Reopen Macoupin County Cannonball Jail next year
Sensing a likely tourism draw, Macoupin County wants to reopen its circa-1870 county jail near downtown Carlinville, Illinois. However, the interior of the fortress-like structure, often called the Macoupin County Cannonball Jail, remains covered with toxic lead paint. About $13,000 has been raised for lead-paint removal in the jail in the past 18 months. Another $18,000 is needed … Continue reading Goal: Reopen Macoupin County Cannonball Jail next year