Local oilman Rick Koch no longer is involved in a plan to redevelop the Glancy Motel and Pop Hicks properties along Route 66 in Clinton, Oklahoma.
According to the Clinton Daily News (subscription required):
“Rick Koch is no longer involved in the Glancy project and has chosen instead to focus on his work down at the Whitten Hotel,” said Economic Development Director Roland Mower. “Because of that, we have reopened our RFPs and we are hopeful we will get at least two proposals.
“What our focus and hope is now is that we will get a proposal to redevelop the whole site. We were
excited to review bids and understand now what it will look like if we don’t get a proposal.”
The Whitten Inn is a closed motel, formerly a Ramada Inn, on the city’s west side near Interstate 40, down the road from the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.
It’s unclear from the story what prompted Koch to back away from the Glancy-Pop Hicks project.
The Clinton Economic Development Authority also reviewed four bids to demolish all but the office and 17 rooms at the Glancy Motel. Bids ranged from $119,200 to $434,200. The city is expected to select a bidder at a future meeting.
In August 2021, the Clinton Economic Development Authority approved a $7.75 million plan by Koch to renovate the historic Glancy Motel and adjoining Pops Hicks restaurant.
The closed Glancy Motel at 217 W. Gary Blvd. (aka Route 66) was condemned by the city in 2019 after numerous code violations. The motel was built in1950 and remodeled in 2007.
A fire destroyed the iconic Pop Hicks restaurant next to the motel in 1999. Pop Hicks never was rebuilt because it lacked insurance. The restaurant opened in 1936.
Koch saved and renovated the historic 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 Facebook)