City of Tulsa issues request for proposals for new Route 66 interpretive center

The city of Tulsa on Monday issued a request for proposals for a mixed-use and Route 66 interpretive center near the Arkansas River after apparently giving up on previous efforts for similar projects.

The request, first reported by KRMG radio in Tulsa, had been expected for a few weeks.

The requests are due on Jan. 19, 2022. The full details of the request can be found here. The site would be at the

Four elements are required, straight from the document:

▪ Route 66 Interpretive Center. The Development should include curated exhibits that cater to the national and international allure of heritage tourism for Route 66. The overall Experience should be unique and distinct from
other Route 66 themed facilities.
▪ Exhibit space should be of sufficient square area to meet the goals of destination tourism. This may be a ticketed venue but should include spaces accessible to the public. Exhibits should include curated, electronic, static and interpretive displays. Rentable event and outdoor programming spaces are encouraged. Visitors are anticipated to consist of national and international tourists, area residents within a 30-, 60-, and 90-minute driving radius, friends of family, and downtown or fairground convention attendees.
▪ On-Site Parking. The Project should include parking for all Site uses. Additional market rate public parking is encouraged. Although tour and school buses are anticipated to circulate the Site, off-site storage parking for those
vehicles could be considered and would be Developer’s responsibility.
▪ Restaurant / Retail Uses. Uses that maximize commercial and pedestrian activity to a broad market throughout the day and evening beyond the operating hours of the Interpretive Center are encouraged. The Project could include appropriate commercial amenities such as food and retail spaces for regional residents, tourists, and convention visitors.
▪ Architecture. The Project’s architecture should include unique features that represent an iconic-style destination rather than a replica of branded projects and should be compatible with views of the river and skyline.

The city stated it also will consider proposals with a hotel or residential development.

The city has $5 million in public funds available to assist in the project.

The city has cited more than $20 million in a variety of Route 66-related projects adjacent or near the site: Avery Centennial Plaza, East Meets West sculpture, Route 66 Skywalk and Avery Plaza Southwest Motel Neon Sign Park.

Other citywide Route 66 exhibits include the Route 66 Village, East and West Gateways, Route 66 Rising sculpture, mosaic artwork and the restored Meadow Gold neon sign installed on an outdoor Pavilion.

The document doesn’t mention this but should: the city’s Route 66 neon-sign grant program that has led to the renovation or creation of nearly 30 signs, with more in the works.

The city had considered two earlier proposals that failed to materialize.

The Route 66 Alliance announced in 2015 it wanted to build a $19.5 million interpretive center and commercial complex at that same riverside site. It has lacked the funding to proceed.

Chris Ellison, owner of ITulsa, in 2019 proposed a public-private partnership to build a Route 66 museum near the Mother Road Market as part of mixed-use development. That went nowhere, as well.

Then again, the Alliance or Ellison could submit new proposals to the city. So who knows?

The idea of an interpretive center and museum has been kicked around since at least 2003, when Tulsa County voters passed the Vision 2025 sales tax for improvements throughout the county, including Route 66.

(Hat tip to Brian Gregory; walkway at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza site in Tulsa)