Here’s the list of recipients of 2008 cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program:
- The Mill Restaurant rehabilitation, Lincoln, Ill., $10,000 from the National Park Service, $28,000 match
- Donut Drive-In, St. Louis, neon sign restoration, $9,875 NPS, $10,925 match
- Devil’s Elbow Bridge, Devil’s Elbow, Mo., emergency stabilization, $8,000 NPS, $22,000 match
- Front Street Bridge, Galena, Kan., emergency stabilization, $30,000 NPS, $50,000 match
- Cafe On the Route, Baxter Springs, Kan., condition assessment, $5,000 NPS, $5,000 match
- Park Hills Motel, Vinita, Okla., roof replacement, $10,000 NPS, $20,000 match
- Nat Ballroom, Amarillo, Texas, fire suppression system, $10,000 NPS, $20,000 match
- Valentine diner, Winslow, Ariz., preservation plan and priority repairs, $10,000 NPS, $10,000 match
I’ve been told that the reason for the assessment for Cafe on the Route is the building is having some structural problems. The owners are going to make recommended repairs and commit to long-term maintenance of the building.
Also, the Nat Ballroom, once its fire-suppression system is in place, is planned to be revived as a music venue again. The Nat is nearly as highly regarded as a historical music venue as Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa.
The Donut Drive-in sign is freshly restored and reinstalled about a week ago.