The good folks of Atlanta, Ill., have been working to renovate the historic Downey Building in downtown, which is part of old Route 66.
The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that a circa-1938 Palms Grill Cafe will be part of the complex and a local history museum.
Around 6:30 p.m. April 24, the replica Palms Grill Café neon sign will be lighted officially in a small ceremony. The event will include local officials and representatives from Route 66 organizations.
The first phase of structural work, which cost about $150,000, is about done. Fund-raising efforts for the second phase will begin in May, he said.
That phase will include adding a 40-foot-wide, two-story addition to the back of the Downey building that will include an elevator, exhibit space and a climate-controlled space to store artifacts.
Longtime readers know that Atlanta has been working for several years on getting the Palms up and running again. It’s good to see this project progressing.