Bernalillo County recently approved giving an additional $1.5 million to construct a Route 66 visitors center on Albuquerque’s west side.
According to a story by the Associated Press, the money is contingent on a comprehensive marketing analysis for the facility.
The visitors center’s projected cost has risen from $3.4 million to $12.9 million in three years.
According to the county’s agenda from its Dec. 12 meeting, the facility’s cost rose because it was “undersized and the facility needed to be expanded to meet the needs of the community.”
More from the agenda:
The revised phase I design includes 21,500 SF of exhibit space, gift shop, taproom, assembly space for up to 300 people, commercial kitchen and administrative space. The outdoor area consists of a 300 seat amphitheater, landscaping, drive in movie screen and parking for visitors, food trucks and RVs. The estimated cost of phase 1 construction is $12 million. Currently, there is $7.3 million in the project budget and appropriation of this requested amount will reduce the shortfall. Additional funding is being requested from the City of Albuquerque and the State. Staff requests the allocation of $1,500,000 from the General Fund in support of the Phase I Route 66 Visitor Center construction.
Officials earlier this year predicted groundbreaking of the visitors center by October, with completion by 2020. With groundbreaking at least two months late, one would have to think a completion date in 2021 is more realistic.
(Artist’s rendering of the proposed Route 66 visitors center in Albuquerque)
Strange how there is $12.9 million to spend on a building first costed at a quarter of that, but nothing for an existing piece of Route 66 – a genuinely historic heritage bridge. I know it is different pots from which the money comes, and that the local constitution does not take into account preserving bridges, but…..