The city of Springfield, Ill., again is thinking about converting the ramshackle Bel-Aire Motel into a Route 66-themed visitors center and museum, reported the State Journal-Register today.
Springfield is considering other options for the Sixth Street motel after a recent inspection uncovered fire, electrical, and structural code violations.
Mayor Tim Davlin first proposed the idea of converting the Bel-Aire into a museum in 2008. But the money for the project never materialized. Davlin committed suicide in late 2010.
Alderman Cory Jobe said he requested the motel’s inspection, and indicated he wanted to get moving on doing something with the motel:
“We’re trying to put it back on the drawing board,” said Jobe, whose ward includes the motel at 2636 S. Sixth St.
“It’s become somewhat of an eyesore, and it’s obviously an entry and access point into the city,” Jobe added.
If the Route 66 museum doesn’t work, Jobe said he would at least like to see some other commercial development on the site.
Jobe said he believes $600,000 in state funding would be available to purchase and demolish the property, if the group can reach an agreement with the Bel-Aire owners.
The 1960s-vintage motel at 2636 S. Sixth St. has been a residential motel in recent years. Neighborhood groups also have complained to the city about the sale of illegal drugs and other criminal activity at the motel. […]
As proposed by Davlin, the motel would be restored to its ‘60s look and would serve as a combination welcome center for city visitors and Route 66 museum. The restoration would include a theater, the “seal fountain,” neon lighting and a recreation of a vintage gasoline station.
The code violations weren’t considered serious, although another inspection is coming. The motel is owned by an absentee landlord in Florida. I suspect if the code problems aren’t sufficiently resolved by the follow-up inspection, the city likely will seize the property as a nuisance.
According to county records, the motel’s fair-market value was $754,000 in 2010.