The design phase of the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Tulsa is set to begin by fall, reported the Tulsa World.
The center, near the Arkansas River on Southwest Boulevard, is slated to house offices, a restaurant or two, gift shop and an interactive Route 66 museum. It’s hoped the center will be open in about three years.
Another interesting thing about the report is that the fledgling Route 66 Alliance has made its wishes to in the center much more public. Michael Wallis, a key officer of the group, has made no bones about wanting it there. But the fact he said so much more openly indicates there’s substantial support for the idea.
Also, sponsors are interested in helping fund the building of the center. Odds are strong that Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake Energy, is one of them because of his already-deep interest in Route 66 with his POPS complex in Arcadia, Okla. Another strong possibility is ConocoPhillips, with its long ties to the region and the fact its Phillips 66 gasoline brand was inspired by road-testing on Route 66.