Albuquerque has a new shopping center along its Route 66 corridor, but its main sign will spark memories of the previous business there. The Trade Winds Shopping Center recently finished construction, and it has a sign that's reminiscent of the original Trade Winds Motel sign at that location. It looks like neon, but it's actually … Continue reading Albuquerque’s new shopping center sign is a throwback
Tag: Albuquerque
‘Singing Road’ already needs to be restriped
Barely three months after it was first installed, the New Mexico Department of Transportation will put new markings on the pavement of the "Singing Road" section of Route 66 east of Albuquerque because the old markings apparently have worn off. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque explains the problems involved with a set of rumble strips that allow … Continue reading ‘Singing Road’ already needs to be restriped
New Route 66 signs coming to Albuquerque
About a half-dozen new signs that join the Route 66 logo with a roadrunner will be installed in Albuquerque by the end of March, reported KRQE-TV in Albuquerque. The road runner, incidentally, is the state bird of New Mexico. The mockup of the multipurpose directional sign, which is partly designed to direct tourists to attractions … Continue reading New Route 66 signs coming to Albuquerque
Bus hits Route 66 column in Albuquerque
A wayward vehicle apparently caused a city bus to veer out of control and strike a decorative Route 66 column Friday at Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and Unser Boulevard on Albuquerque's west side, reported the Albuquerque Journal. “This bus was driving southbound on Unser,” said Officer Simon Drobik, spokesman for APD. “From what witnesses … Continue reading Bus hits Route 66 column in Albuquerque
Albuquerque motel destroyed by fire
Fire destroyed the former Mountain Lodge motel Thursday afternoon along Route 66 on the east edge of Albuquerque, reported the Albuquerque Journal and other media outlets. The motel had been converted into apartments. No one was hurt in the blaze, but five people reportedly were rendered homeless. The structure was a total loss. Here is … Continue reading Albuquerque motel destroyed by fire
Willem Bor builds more Route 66 miniatures
Willem Bor, a roadie from the Netherlands who's been building detailed scale models of Route 66 landmarks, has made a few more in recent months as gifts to fellow Mother Road fans. The first is a miniature of the ruins of the Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. He gave the model to Route … Continue reading Willem Bor builds more Route 66 miniatures
Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art
Albuquerque is considering an ordinance change that would make it easier to turn vacant and abandoned signs along old Route 66 into public art, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Ellen Babcock of the Friends of the Orphan Signs nonprofit is one of those who support the idea. The newspaper said: The art can be featured on … Continue reading Albuquerque considers turning abandoned signs into public art
Albuquerque adopts Route 66 Action Plan
The Albuquerque City Council unanimously ratified Mayor Richard Berry's Route 66 Action Plan for a 15-mile stretch of Central Avenue in the city, reported the Associated Press and other media outlets. The plan comes with infrastructure improvements, tourism additions and historical preservation, among other things. You can read a summary of the plan here, but … Continue reading Albuquerque adopts Route 66 Action Plan
Woman documenting every building on Albuquerque’s Route 66
An Italian woman who is a graduate student at the University of New Mexico is photographically documenting every building and landmark on Route 66 in Albuquerque, according to a story on the university's news service. Donatella Davanzo, a University of New Mexico graduate student, walks along some part of Route 66 in Albuquerque almost every … Continue reading Woman documenting every building on Albuquerque’s Route 66
Nonprofit challenges El Vado redevelopment plan
A nonprofit group that has experienced success in rehabbing vintage Route 66 motels in Albuquerque is appealing the city's selection of another group that wants to redevelop the historic El Vado Motel, reported the Albuquerque Journal. According to the newspaper: Albuquerque-based nonprofit NewLife Homes, which finished second in the selection process to eventual winner Palindrome … Continue reading Nonprofit challenges El Vado redevelopment plan