The Clinton (Oklahoma) Economic Development Authority officially offered the closed Glancy Motel as a possible new headquarters for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
If accepted, the development would be a bitter turn of events for many Route 66ers. Less than 18 months ago, the authority planned to let a local developer restore the motel and rebuild the adjacent Pop Hicks restaurant before Route 66’s centennial in 2026.
The authority offered one fig leaf for Route 66 preservationists: A lawmaker said it tentatively planned to give the motel’s sign to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in town and place a historical marker at the Glancy Motel site.
According to Wednesday’s print edition of the Clinton Daily News (subscription required), state Rep. Anthony Moore was a key figure in offering the Glancy to OHP:
“We drove into town and I showed them a few options, including the Glancy, though I made it clear I had no control over it and it was in the City’s possession. They all unanimously wanted the Glancy site because of its location in town and near I-40 and Highway 183.”
If an agreement is met, DPS will build a new OHP headquarters at the location, which will also serve
as a law enforcement hub providing office space to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Narcotics and other law enforcement agencies. The property would revert back to the City if it was vacated as well.“I’ve received phone calls about the site from the lieutenant governor as well as others about saving
the sign and moving it in conjunction with the museum as well as adding an historic marker at the site as well,” said Moore.
It wasn’t clear whether funding for OHP moving into the Glancy would be available when the state legislature convenes in May.
Local developer Corky Heard told the authority he still is interested in restoring the back of the motel and adding RV sites and vintage trailers. He asked his proposal be considered as an alternative if the OHP offer falls through.
The authority also accepted a $115,000 demolition bid from a local contractor to raze the north portion of the property, leaving the office and the original 17 rooms on the south side.
Local oilman Rick Koch initially proposed the renovation of the Glancy and rebuilding Pop Hicks in August 2021, but he backed away about a year later. Two more redevelopment proposals for the properties were rejected by the authority in recent weeks in wake of the OHP offer.
The Glancy Motel at 217 W. Gary Blvd. (aka Route 66) closed after it was condemned by the city in 2019 for numerous code violations. The motel was built in 1950 and remodeled in 2007.
A fire destroyed the iconic Pop Hicks restaurant next door to the motel in 1999. Pop Hicks never was rebuilt because it lacked insurance. The restaurant opened in 1936.
(Image of the Glancy Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma, via Facebook)