The Amarillo City Council recently approved a first reading of an ordinance that would allow three groups to paint a Route 66 emblem on a water tower off Sixth Avenue (aka Route 66).
According to the Globe-News newspaper, the measure would amend a portion of the city code concerning the regulation of emblems on city-owned properties and facilities.
[T]he Historic 6th Street Association, the San Jacinto Association and the Route 66 Association of Texas have approached the city to paint an Amarillo Route 66 logo on the tower, something which has not been done since the tower was erected in the 1960s.
In the past few years, this logo request became a key part of the San Jacinto Neighborhood Plan, a document centered around the rejuvenation of the neighborhood which was adopted earlier this year. Since it would be a first for the city, Andrew Freeman, the city of Amarillo’s director of planning and development services, previously told the city council back in May that the city would have to create an ordinance of painting a logo on the water tower, detailing various measures.
The groups are trying to raise $18,000 through $66 pledges. They had passed the $5,000 mark by last week. To donate to the initiative to paint an Amarillo 66 logo on the water tower, email info@rt66oftexas.com.
Donations also can be accepted at Texas Ivy Antiques at 3511 SW 6th Ave. in Amarillo. The phone number there is (806) 373-1427.
The city council has to pass a second reading of the proposal — probably during its next scheduled meeting Aug. 10 — before the city code officially is amended. Because the first reading passed unanimously, advancement of the second reading very likely is a foregone conclusion, barring any last-minute, unsavory developments.
(Screen-capture image from KVII-TV video of artist’s rendering of the proposed Amarillo Route 66 sign for the water tower)