Albuquerque's mayor announced this week he is yanking 15 BYD electric buses off the street and will replace them with 10 nonelectric buses, bringing another delay to the troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project. Mayor Tim Keller recently grounded the buses after city inspectors found myriad problems with the vehicles. The Albuquerque Journal listed the problems … Continue reading Axing of bus deal brings another delay to Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Tag: Albuquerque
Albuquerque repeals anti-cruising ordinance
The Albuquerque city council this week unanimously repealed a 2005 cruising ordinance, allowing Route 66 enthusiasts to take a slow journey down Central Avenue in their classic cars without flouting the law. The move was expected. The city council a year ago formed a task force to revisit the issue. According to the Albuquerque Journal, … Continue reading Albuquerque repeals anti-cruising ordinance
More about the short-lived Little Beaver Town near Albuquerque
A few days ago, Albuquerque television station KRQE produced a story about Little Beaver Town, a long-gone western-themed amusement park on the city's east edge on Route 66 that went bust after just three seasons during the 1960s. Roland Penttila, who has done a lot of research on Little Beaver Town, figures prominently in this … Continue reading More about the short-lived Little Beaver Town near Albuquerque
Mayor grounds Albuquerque Rapid Transit buses
Albuquerque's mayor this week ordered the grounding of the city's troubled rapid-transit buses until the vehicles are inspected and safety concerns are allayed. Mayor Tim Keller told KOAT-TV the city uncovered problems during driver training: Officials say bolts were falling off the doors and the buses' back doors would open on their own while being driven. … Continue reading Mayor grounds Albuquerque Rapid Transit buses
De Anza Motor Lodge scheduled to reopen by April
Redevelopment of the De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque is scheduled to be finished by February with grand reopening tentatively set for April. Groundbreaking for the $9 million project began in November, and the Albuquerque Journal reports the site now looks drastically different. Construction project manager Jim Trump Nearly all of the buildings have come … Continue reading De Anza Motor Lodge scheduled to reopen by April
Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies
Norman Bugg, who operated the Monterey Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque for 25 years, died Sunday of heart failure. He was 89. The Albuquerque Journal, which reported Bugg's death Monday, said he refurbished and remodeled an aging motel into Triple Diamond-rated lodging. Miroslaw and Boguslawa Elencwajg later acquired the motel and renamed it Monterey Non-Smokers … Continue reading Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies
County bond vote includes Route 66 visitors center in Albuquerque
An upcoming bond question in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, includes money earmarked for a Route 66 visitors center on Albuquerque's west side. The county has a total of $38.5 million in bonds that must be approved by voters amid six questions in the Nov. 6 general election. Among those bonds that would be issued, if … Continue reading County bond vote includes Route 66 visitors center in Albuquerque
Was there a ban of black customers at Route 66 motels in eastern New Mexico?
Roland Penttila, a reader of this website based in Albuquerque, emailed this 1955 newspaper clipping a few days ago: Penttila wrote: While many white families have fond memories of their auto adventures along Route 66 during its heyday, too little is remembered of how difficult it was for African Americans to travel U.S. highways including … Continue reading Was there a ban of black customers at Route 66 motels in eastern New Mexico?
Restoration of old Santa Fe locomotive hits milestone
For the first time in more than a half-century, the boilers were fired up on the Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive in Albuquerque -- a major milestone for a group of railroad buffs that have worked to restore the train for about 15 years. The Albuquerque Journal was there Wednesday when the New Mexico Steam Locomotive … Continue reading Restoration of old Santa Fe locomotive hits milestone
Albuquerque gets long-awaited $75 million grant for ART
The troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project will receive a $75 million grant from the federal government -- more than a year after it was initially announced by the city. Mayor Tim Keller said Tuesday the money will come in two installments in the coming weeks from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Program, reported the Albuquerque … Continue reading Albuquerque gets long-awaited $75 million grant for ART