It appears Tucumcari, N.M., is edging ahead of Santa Rosa, N.M., in the race to land a new Route 66 museum, according to a story in the current print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based in Santa Rosa.
Johnnie Meier, former president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association and owner of the Classical Gas museum in Embudo, N.M., told the newspaper that he prefered the historic Ilfeld Warehouse in Santa Rosa for a Route 66 museum.
However, he expressed frustration about Santa Rosa’s slow pace in acquiring the funding for the project. Meier, 60, said he now is leaning to Tucumcari, which wants to convert an abandoned truck stop on the city’s west side for the museum.
“There’s a short-term option in Tucumcari. I don’t see a short-term option in Santa Rosa,” Meier said. […]
“I’m not getting any younger,” Meier said. “It’s a major project I’m considering, and a lifestyle change. If Santa Rosa makes me wait two to three years, I’m getting too old for this.”
By contrast, he praised Tucumcari officials for being more proactive in convincing him about how they could accomplish the goal.
“I recognize good planing and good project management when I see it,” he said. “I see it in Tucumcari. I don’t see it in Santa Rosa.”
The newspaper reported that the truck stop isn’t the only Tucumcari site considered, and that the city of Tucumcari may make him a formal offer as soon as early next year.
A big issue with the truck stop is environmental remediation from leaking oil and gasoline tanks. However, that problem could enable the city to quickly receive government grants to solve the problem and convert the site to Meier’s use.
I don’t regard the truck-stop site as ideal; it’s too far from Tucumcari’s center and its historic Route 66 sights. However, with New Mexico as one of the only Route 66 states without a significant Mother Road-based museum, any museum would almost certainly be a win-win situation for the town.
It seems that from the time that the Ilfeld Warehouse was not for sale to the time that the former City of Santa Rosa administration went all out to acquire it, to cleaning it up and securing it, to hosting open house events in it for prospective biz incubator tenants and visitors to see, to this “competition” to land a museum, there’s been a lot of talk and not too much follow-up from Johnny Meier. If you’re good enough, Johnny, you’ll get your chance in Santa Rosa. Just stay positive keep working at it the way Bozo Cordova did/does at his Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa.
Ohhhh Johnnie – that doesn’t sound very welcoming? You’re definately welcome here with us! Don’t get emotional about the one building, stay emotional about your passion, we’ll get you a building, and we have plenty to choose from, right on Route 66. TUCUMCARI TONITE – It’s where you want to be! Dinosaur Museum, Historical Museum, Railroad Museum, Gas Station Project and soon to be – Route 66 Museum! We’re going to do it anyway, so you might as well join us???
Davy, thanks for you concern. However, I need to respond to “not too much follow-up from Johnny Meier.” I’ve done everything the city has asked me to and more. I submitted a proposed lease agreement two years ago (at the request of the city) with no response from the city. I submitted a detailed analysis of the Idea Group’s funded study for developing the Ilfeld property. I’ve assisted the city in several open house events that showcased the Ilfeld. And of course I recently spoke at a recent City Council meeting where I outlined my museum concept.
I’ve completed 13 government funded Route 66 preservation projects and I will complete a major project in 2011 in Albuquerque. I know how to manage a project and get it done. But with every preservation project, it is teamwork between the property owner and the preservation project manager that results in success.
Likewise, it is teamwork between myself and the museum host city that will result in success.
I have proven that I can deliver on a project plan. All I need is a host city that can deliver a museum site ready for occupancy.
And RT, thanks for your enthusiasm. I think Tucumcari is on the right track and has plenty to offer. I hope it is clear that I am simply being objective when I weigh the attributes of both Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. I’ll continue to be forthright and open minded.
One more thing I want to emphasize is that I don’t want to stir up controversy with talk of competition between the two communities. Media reporters understandably try to coax controversial statements from me and I try to be careful.
I am not motivated by personal financial gain and therefore I do not have that motivation as a driver to stir up competition controversy. I don’t have an admission fee at my museum in Embudo. I have a donation jar and each year at Christmas, I send a check equal to the contents of the jar to the local animal shelter. The donation is well into four figures.
Meanwhile, as the wheels turn in Tucumcari and Santa Rosa, I continue to develop exhibits such as the Valentine Diner I am restoring. It will be cool!