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

Stories sought about certain Albuquerque businesses

Two authors are seeking stories about several long-gone businesses along Route 66 in Albuquerque that used Zeon Corporation-designed signs to attract customers, according to a story in the Albuquerque Journal. University of New Mexico professors Ellen Babcock and Mark C. Childs are working on a book titled "The Zeon Files" that will be published UNM Press … Continue reading Stories sought about certain Albuquerque businesses

‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque

On a stretch of old Route 66 east of Albuquerque is a set of rumble strips that play "America the Beautiful" when you drive over them. We'll let KOAT-TV in Albuquerque explain: https://youtu.be/upOtu16yOFg The Associated Press reported that Tigress Productions created the road in Tijeras, New Mexico, for a new National Geographic Channel series, "Crowd … Continue reading ‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque

Developer chosen for El Vado Motel

A developer has been picked by the city of Albuquerque to redevelop the historic El Vado Motel -- including it being partly revived as a boutique motel, according to Albuquerque Business First. Palindrome Communities is the developer, which is a partnership between PacifiCap and the Sawmill Community Land Trust. Its proposal calls for creating a … Continue reading Developer chosen for El Vado Motel

Interactive map sorts 1935-1945 photos

Starting in 1935, photographers with the New Deal's Farm Security Administration began documenting life in the United States during the Great Depression and, later, World War II. More than 170,000 photos were taken, and a few of them became famous, including Dorothea Lange's now-iconic image of a migrant mother. Although the vast majority of images … Continue reading Interactive map sorts 1935-1945 photos

Albuquerque sign irks tourists, businesses

I missed this the last few times I was in downtown Albuquerque. But a sign on private property that says "Please, no puking, no pissing, no panhandling or perversion, thank you" continues to draw the ire of Route 66 tourists, businesses and city officials. KOAT-TV in Albuquerque posted a story about the sign, which has … Continue reading Albuquerque sign irks tourists, businesses

Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel

The City of Albuquerque recently requested proposals to redevelop the historic De Anza Motor Lodge after two plans fell flat in recent years. However, one prominent business group is recommending a partial teardown of the motel. A group of Albuquerque business owners put together a list of recommendations of what it would like to see … Continue reading Albuquerque asks for proposals for De Anza Motel