A bunch of Drury University architecture students unveiled a preliminary development plan for the city of Carthage, Mo., that emphasizes its past, including historic Route 66, reported the Joplin Globe.
Recommendations for the downtown area included eliminating parking around the square and replacing it with a multilevel parking structure to the south that would be connected to the square by a walkway. The additional space would allow wider sidewalks in front of buildings around the square to accommodate more pedestrians and patios in front of businesses.
A unified design plan that would restore and preserve historic downtown buildings also was recommended, along with walking and biking trails that would feed into downtown. […]
Proposals from the students reached beyond the downtown area to south of Central Park and to Kellogg Lake. The plan also suggested a roundabout at Central and Garrison avenues with a streetscape, restoration of the historic Boots Motel and Drive-in, and construction of a Route 66 museum. [my emphasis]
More retail development nearby, additional downtown housing, and an art gallery and cultural center also were a part of the proposal.
Both the mayor and city administrator liked the proposal. A more refined presentation by Drury students is coming in a month.
However, even if the plan was accepted, the approximate time frame for implementation is 15 to 20 years. And if the city wants to do something about the Boots Motel, it had better move — it’s for sale.