Imperial Inn in Albuquerque erects restored neon sign, reopens to overnight travelers

The redeveloped Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque showed off its restored neon sign shortly before it reopened to overnight travelers on Wednesday. Here’s an image from the Route 66 motel’s Instagram account of the sign, complete with its chasing lights: View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Imperial (@theimperialabq) Palindrome Communities, which … Continue reading Imperial Inn in Albuquerque erects restored neon sign, reopens to overnight travelers

Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

Two Albuquerque businesses, including the Monterey Motel, on Friday received the Heritage Award from the New Mexico Route 66 Association. The association stated in a news release the Monterey was honored “in recognition of the preservation and retro-nouveau adaption of a classic Route 66 motel, originally opened as David Court in 1946 – renamed Monterey … Continue reading Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

Two neon signs reinstalled along Route 66 in Albuquerque

Thursday was a big day for neon signs along Route 66 in Albuquerque. One historic sign that was refurbished was reinstalled, and a reproduction of a badly damaged sign also was installed. First is the refurbished De Anza Motor Lodge sign at the historic Route 66 motel that’s largely being redeveloped as part of a … Continue reading Two neon signs reinstalled along Route 66 in Albuquerque

Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project

The city of Albuquerque earlier this month held a ceremonial relighting of El Vado Motel’s neon sign to mark the beginning of a redevelopment project there that will preserve the historic Route 66 motel. Palindrome Communities and FDHC are redeveloping El Vado Motel and the adjacent Casa Grande site for $18 million, including about $3.5 … Continue reading Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 10 grants

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced 10 cost-share grants totaling more than $103,000 to Route 66 businesses, according to a news release today from the program. Many of the grants went to renovating or improving historic properties along the Mother Road. The awardees are: Hualapai Tribal Route 66 Interpretive Project, Peach Springs, Ariz. ($10,000 grant, $10,000 … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 10 grants

El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque

The city of Albuquerque finally has gained ownership of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66, and city officials are exploring ideas on what to do with it now, reports the Albuquerque Journal. Among the ideas are converting the property to a Route 66 neon museum, an artists’ colony space, or even as a … Continue reading El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque