Members of the city council of Clinton, Oklahoma, voted unanimously last week to condemn the historic Glancy Motel along Route 66.
According to the print edition Saturday of the Weatherford Daily News, Mayor David Berrong said code enforcement officer Toby Anders had been dealing with the property for more than three years regarding violations there.
An abatement hearing had been held between the owner, city manager and city management officer, the mayor said during the city council meeting Tuesday.
The newspaper reported:
The condition of the structure was such that condemnation proceedings can take place.
At that time, the owners of the Glancy property were instructed to provide a plan of action to Mr. Anders within 30 days of the meeting, which they did not do. At that time when they did not meet the requirements that were given to them, then it is put on the city council agenda to be considered for condemnation.
Under state law, there is a 30 day period for anyone going through condemnation to do something about whatever is being condemned. There
is an appeal process which may or may not be used by the condemned. It is a district court proposition, which may or may not happen. As this proceeds and if a condemnation is judicated, the city will determine what will be done with the property.
The last listed phone number for the Glancy Motel was disconnected. The motel had a Facebook page that hadn’t been updated in nearly four years.
A woman who answered the phone at the Route 66 Cafe at the Market down the street said the motel still was open.
“If you’re wanting a room there, I would check it beforehand. That’s all I’m saying,” she said.
The story didn’t mention who the motel’s owner is, but county property records show it is owned by Swayam Properties LLC of Clinton. The Oklahoma Secretary of State lists the company’s agent is Kiran Shakta, also of Clinton.
County records also show the Glancy at 217 W. Gary Blvd. (aka Route 66) was built in 1950 and remodeled in 2007. It has a total market value of $408,000.
The Glancy Motel seemed to go into decline after a fire destroyed the iconic and adjacent Pop Hicks restaurant in 1999. The Route 66 restaurant, which lacked insurance, never was rebuilt.
(Image of the Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, via its Facebook page)
The city fathers in Clinton need to contact the City of Albuquerque regarding the condemnation and possible renovation of this property. The property is probably worth quite a sum of money, and a renovation effort like happened at the El Vado in Albuquerque could be a boon for Clinton. Don’t let the destruction move forward until all of the alternatives have been explored.
Here’s an idea: It is quite obvious that the owners are in fault here. Rather than destroy this iconic motel, why not have the city take ownership, volunteers and local businesses can help bring it up to code, and it be operated by the city or the Oklahoma / Route 66 Historical Society? Maybe even operated by High School students as part of a Business Administration class? Anything is worth a try… The current owners have no business having it.
A very sensible and positive idea, Doug. But, if all the buildings were removed, what would a bare site be worth? To a new commercial investor, or to Clinton City Council? Even as a council-owned car park?
The cost of a total renovation would be VERY expensive, taxpayers would be on the hook, then who would manage it and would there be enough tourist traffic to cover costs and management fees??
Nostalgia is great if the cost is not prohibitive. There are points of never recouping cost here to consider.
I can’t believe it hasn’t already self-demolished. It looked like it was about to fall down back in 2010.