By a 3-2 vote, the Tucumcari City Commission last week approved a landmark ordinance for the town’s several dozen historic neon signs along its Route 66 corridor.
The proposed ordinance had been rejected in December when it first was introduced, but it was reworked and resubmitted last month.
Johnnie Meier, a former president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association who asked for the ordinance, congratulated the city commission and called the ordinance “a great first step” and the “first in the nation” concerning neon signs. Meier wrote an op-ed in the local newspaper requesting passage of the ordinance, and he hopes other Route 66 communities will adopt a similar ordinance, as well.
The ordinance was altered so it is strictly voluntary, but it imposes fines and possible jail to time to those who enroll in the program but later violate its terms.
The Quay County Sun reported:
The new version changes the waiting period for purchase of a volunteered sign from 160 days to 90 days in response to property owners’ concerns about the role of timing in real estate sales.
In that 90-day period, the ordinance allows the city to find an alternative, such as finding a better offer or buying the property itself, in an effort to keep the landmark sign within the city.
The ordinance did not receive universal approval from Route 66 business owners and advocates in Tucumcari:
David Brenner, owner of the Road Runner Lodge, suggested making an opt-out automatic when property is listed for sale.
Litchfield said that approach would open “loopholes” for a property owner to list a property, de-list it, then claim they have opted out.
Lila Doughty, manager of the Palomino Motel, said she would not volunteer the Palomino, adding any buyer who would buy a participating property would have to be made aware of the terms of the ordinance. […]
Carmen Runyon, director of the Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce, said if she sold a classic car, she would not expect the owner to keep it in classic condition, and a building should be sold on the same terms.
(Disclosure: I work for the Quay County Sun but did not write the stories about the ordinance.)
Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, expressed skepticism about the ordinance last month:
I think the reason behind this measure is well intended however I think it infringes on owner’s rights.
In my opinion I think educating and motivating collectors to restore and preserve in place would be a better move and would prove to bring more notoriety to people that involve themselves in such acts.
Imagine creating a task force or system at the local levels that incentivizes preservation or local relocation of historic neon art. Certain tax breaks could be considered.
Above all, it’s important to understand the impact these neon signs have on their community both culturally and economically. When these signs are removed from their native habitat, the immediate community experiences loss of identity and effectively loses tourism money as tourists actively seeking out these signs will have one less reason to explore these towns.
It’s time to get creative. Start by thanking our property owners for being good watchmen of our history. Seek out the sign collectors and urge them to use their energy and funds to restore in place along with adding informational kiosks at these locations so that people may better understand the overall mission here.
Taking away rights will not solve this problem. Coming together and prescribing a solution that considers the desires of the property owner, the collector, the community, and the traveler is the only direction to success.
The New Mexico Route 66 Association later posted a public statement about the ordinance becoming law:
Melissa Lea Beasley, President of the New Mexico Route 66 Association states, “The removal of Historic Route 66 neon signs has been a serious issue in the preservation community that has generated controversy and passion within the community about what can be done to preserve these historic signs and keep them in their host communities. These signs represent the culture and history of these Route 66 communities, they tell the stories of these communities, and as such are international tourist attractions that have an important economic impact on these communities. When these signs are removed, a significant part of the community’s Route 66 heritage and identity is erased and the status of the community as a tourist destination is diminished.”
Johnnie Meier, Preservation Officer of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, adds, “The only way to preserve historic properties is through locally enacted landmarking ordinances. Landmarking entire properties can be problematic. The concept of landmarking signs rather than properties can be a much more viable preservation tool. The innovative and groundbreaking sign landmarking ordinance initiative launched by the New Mexico Route 66 Association should serve as a model nationwide for communities who value historic signage. With the model ordinance established in Tucumcari, the Association will now move forward with introducing the ordinance in Grants and in more communities in the near future.”
We’ll see whether the ordinance or some variation of it becomes adopted by other towns. It’s a hard sell, especially when property rights are sacrosanct in the West.
(An image of the historic Buckaroo Motel sign along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, by Chuck Coker via Flickr)
3-2 in favour. Some sort of victory.