The Clinton Economic Development Authority’s planned purchase of the Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, is “imminent,” reported a local newspaper.
The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) quoted CEDA director Roland Mower after the organization held a special meeting Thursday:
“Closing on the Glancy is imminent, and the Pop Hicks Restaurant will happen a week or two after that,” he said. “Once Glancy closes, we will focus our attention towards purchasing Pop Hicks.” […]
During an interview, Mower said this project has many moving parts.
The property that Glancy and Pop Hicks are on consists of one square block that’s divided into three parts – the Glancy, Pop Hicks and a third piece owned by the Browning brothers, who also own Elk Supply Co., as previously reported by the Clinton Daily News.
Mower said negotiations for Glancy and Pop Hicks have been locked down, and CEDA is in the process of negotiating for the third piece of the property.
Mower said the only question would be whether Rick Koch would proceed with his Glancy Motel and Pop Hicks rehabilitation project if CEDA was unable to purchase the third tract.
CEDA in September signed a memorandum of understanding between Koch and his Centurion Land Development that states all three tracts are required.
In return for CEDA’s ownership of the block, Centurion must commit at least $5.5 million in improvements to the properties. Work must begin within 180 days after the deal closes, with a three-year construction time.
According to earlier reporting, Koch’s proposal includes renovating the Route 66 motel and rebuilding Pop Hicks restuarant, which burned down in a 1999 fire.
The Glancy, built in 1950, also has been in a deep decline that included condemnation by the city in 2019 due to code violations. The restaurant, which once stood next door to the motel, opened in 1936.
Koch should be a name familiar to longtime Route 66 travelers. He saved and renovated the historic but long-closed Lucille’s gas station in Hydro, Oklahoma. He also built the Lucille’s Roadhouse restaurant in nearby Weatherford, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to Lucille’s.
(Image of the Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, via its Facebook page; postcard image of Pop Hicks restaurant courtesy of 66Postcards.com)
Drove through Clinton in October 2021. This site is in terrible condition – a real eyesore to the community. It surprises me that someone is willing to undertake the rehabilitation of this block.