Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque quietly opens; grand opening tentatively set for August

The Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque’s west side quietly opened to the public on June 21, the first day of summer, and it reportedly will hold a grand opening celebration sometime in August.

The center at 12300 Central Ave. SW (aka Route 66) will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until the big gala later this summer.

Here was the initial announcement:

A few days later, the center stated on Facebook:

Here at the West Central Route 66 Visitor Center, you’ll find captivating displays showcasing vintage & lowrider cars, iconic Route 66 signage, and photographs that capture the spirit of the open road. Immerse yourself in the nostalgia and gain a deeper appreciation for the pioneering spirit that once defined this iconic highway.

The Route 66 Visitor Center, which cost $13 million to build, originally was set to open to the public by spring.

But by mid-May, the Albuquerque Journal ran an article with the headline: “A ribbon cutting was held last September for Albuquerque’s Route 66 Visitors Center. Why hasn’t it opened yet?” The explanation:

Officials acknowledge that it has taken longer than expected to get to this point, and that the building was not fully complete in September. Delayed parts meant crews did not finish the building’s grand staircase until November. And there was a long wait for the center’s walk-in refrigerator and freezer, plus some issues with the kitchen’s electricity that were not remedied until last month, Deputy County Manager Elias Archuleta said.

Officials also said parts of the facility might open piecemeal. So even after the presumed August grand opening, parts of the Route 66 Visitor Center might not be ready yet.

(Image of the Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque via Facebook)

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