The well-regarded Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is up for a 10-year renewal by the U.S. Senate. However, one man — Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) — is threatening to scuttle the measure.
Ironically, Coburn’s constituents in Oklahoma have directly benefited from the program, which sunsets in late 2009. More than a dozen owners of historic properties and small businesses in the Sooner State have received its cost-share grants.
Route 66 historian Jim Ross sounded the alarm a few days ago after he attended the National Preservation Conference in Tulsa:
… It became apparent in talking with people from (New Mexico) and elsewhere that the re-authorization of the program is in jeopardy. Apparently, Sen. Tom Coburn doesn’t like it, and he is evidently in a position to kill it in the Senate.
I think we must try to convince him that it is in everyone’s best interest that the program continue.
… They are not in session, but I was able to speak to a staffer. I made my best case toher why he should support the re-authorization. She said he has a policy to not support spending unless it is offset somewhere else, but that she would pass on my comments.
I think it’s going to take a barrage of calls to get his attention. It is crucial that he understand that this is a program that pays back many time via the economic impact it generates and that it helps fellow Oklahomans living and working along the route. She said they would be back for a few days at the end of November.
The reauthorization bill (S.3010) was introduced by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) this summer and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M). It was advanced by a Senate subcommittee in September.
The proposed reauthorization of the Corridor Program is attached to an Omnibus public lands bill that contains many other measures from both Republicans and Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) wants to vote on it during a lame-duck session the week of Nov. 17.
A summary of the bill is here; the listing for the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is on Page 29. It’s authorized for a total of $8 million, which is $2 million less than the first incarnation of the program.
Coburn, a deficit hawk who has placed a “hold” on numerous bills, made it clear on his Web site that he has a dim view of the Route 66 program:
• Several tourism related measures, including a couple that have already become a favorite piggy bank to pay for congressional earmarks, such as the Save America’s Treasures program, the Preserve America program, and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation program. The Route 66 program is currently restoring aging gas stations, motels and restaurants. Unfortunately, tourism has declined with many Americans unable to afford the cost of gas and, as evidenced by this bill, Congress’ misplaced priorities threaten to drive up the cost of travel.
Coburn is incorrect about tourism. It has not declined on Route 66 with the higher cost of fuel. Newspaper reports and anecdotal evidence I’ve seen indicate that tourism traffic on the Mother Road this summer was stable or higher. Much of that was due to a weak dollar enticing a greater number of foreign travelers. Also, families were still planning road trips on ol’ 66 after seeing the 2006 movie “Cars.”
About $1.16 million in cost-share grants have been awarded since the program started in 2001 (although it was authorized for a total $10 million in 10 years, the program has actually received much less than that). Grants have mostly gone for the preservation or restoration of small mom-and-pop businesses, including such icons as the Blue Swallow Motel, Eisler Bros. Store, Rock Cafe, El Rancho Hotel, Wigwam Motel, Ariston Cafe and the Arcadia Round Barn. Grants also were provided for neon sign restoration (which also has helped businesses), bicycle trails, a traveling theater production, and digitizing a historic postcard collection.
Route 66 fans need to let Coburn know that the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is valuable for the Mother Road and the small businesses on it. As Ross noted, for each dollar spent on such local businesses, it multiplies that effect in the local economy. Coburn needs to be urged to approve this measure, or Route 66 will lose a vital preservation and tourism tool.
I urge all roadies, especially Oklahoma residents, to write Coburn here. You can also call his Washington office at 202-224-5754, his Tulsa office at 918-581-7651, or his Oklahoma City office at 405-231-4941.
Coburn does not know the reality of the current Route 66. He needs to speak directly to people who live and work on the route daily; people like Route 66 Museum director Pat Smith. Pat says tourism keeps increasing, she continues record-setting gift shop sales. Who’s travelling? INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS. They keep coming and they keep spending lots of money in the small towns and big cities.
The Route 66 Corridor program needs to be continued; for people who live, work on historic US 66 — we know tourism keeps getting better all the time. How to convey this to politicians???
Sen. Coburn needs to set aside one Saturday out of his busy schedule to spend some time on this old road. If he’s interested in traveling 66 across the state he represents, meeting some of his constituents, and finding out the actual impact of tourism on Oklahoma’s economy, I would be more than happy to give him a guided tour. I can certainly afford the gas, and I’m always up for any excuse to show 66 to someone who isn’t familiar with its treasures.
A little firsthand knowledge goes a long way. I intend to call Sen. Coburn’s office and extend that invitation to him. I want my elected officials to make well-informed decisions. Without actually traveling 66, there is no way Sen. Coburn can make a well-informed decision about the merits and value of the Corridor program.
I traveled the road back in April when gas prices were higher than now. We ran into a heck of a lot of international travelers. How about the fact that the Blue Swallow will stay open year round this year? If tourism were dropping, I doubt that would be happening.
Coburn voted for the bailout so I think this is a case of swallowing teh elephant and choking on a gnat.
I will also contact him.
Just sent an extensive e-mail to Sen. Coburn from 2 Georgia Roadies who love Route 66!
I sent an e-mail, and made a phone call. So, now, we’ll see.
Frankly, I’d also like to see a “Highway 50 corridor preservation program”, too.
Is there a comprehensive list of businesses/projects across all eight states that have been helped by the program? It might be beneficial to call attention to those, so as to increase public appreciation of the program and motivate folks to write Sen. Coburn.
Nearly all of the cost-share grants are here:
https://www.nps.gov/history/rt66/grnts/index.htm
Worries about Coburn may be of little import. The reauthorization bill, which is stuck in a huge omnibus package, will most likely be shuffled to the side if House Democrats get their way in introducing a new stimulus package during the upcoming Nov. 17 lame-duck session. The question now is who will re-introduce the bill during the next Congress, which will be focused on the economy and Obama’s agenda. Still, efforts to educate Coburn and others are important.
John