The historic Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Ill., has been quietly withdrawn as a possible site for a Route 66 visitors center and museum, reported The State Journal-Register.
A group of tourism, city and planning officials has been meeting informally about the idea in recent weeks, including an analysis by the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission of potential sites.
“We’ve been talking about what we need to do, and we’re down from six concepts to two ‘what abouts?’” said Fred Puglia, executive director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. […]
While he declined to discuss the two potential sites — other than both are on Route 66 — Puglia said the group pretty much has ruled out the Bel-Aire. The late Mayor Tim Davlin proposed in 2008 that the city buy the residential motel at 2636 S. Sixth St. and convert it to a Route 66 visitors center and museum.
Puglia wouldn’t say why the motel was no longer being considered. However, the Bel-Aire was slapped with $141,000 in fines for hundreds of code violations this spring, bringing up the likelihood the cost of renovating would be steep.
Also, 45 miles south, Litchfield is building a Route 66 visitors center and museum that should be finished by fall. One has to wonder whether that recent development changed Springfield’s outlook on its own museum project.
Regardless, Puglia said the lack of money to build a museum or convert an old building remains a challenge. He hoped the city would fund a feasibility study to nail down a cost estimate and apply for grants.
A photo of the Bel-Aire is here. Its retro neon sign, including a Sputnik structure, made it seem like a good site for a Route 66-themed visitors center at the time.