Two neon signs along Albuquerque’s Route 66 that received improvement grants are finished and two more are nearly done, according to a report by a TV station in the city.
The Imperial Inn Motel sign at 701 Central Ave., which received a nearly $60,000 grant, and the Route 66 Barber sign at 5303 Central Ave., which received more than $12,000, are finished and operational, according to KQRE-TV.
Listed as nearly complete are the signs at 5501 Plaza at 5431 Central Ave. ($30,404.06) and the iconic Dog House restaurant at 1216 Central Ave. ($18,511.45).
The rest of these grant recipients are pending:
- Americana Motel, 5908 Central Ave. SW ($30,834.56)
- Arrive Hotel, 717 Central Ave. NW ($142,310)
- Central Grill, 2056 Central Ave SW ($29,085.66)
- Loma Verde Apartments, 7503 Central Ave. SE ($21,161.23)
- Pickleballer, 1720 Central Ave. SW ($35,090)
- Sandia Peak Inn, 4614 Central Ave. SW ($25,659.95)
- Tewa Lodge, 5715 Central Ave. SE ($19,372.50)
- Trade Winds Shopping Center, 5400 Central Ave. SE ($17,220)
- Former Utility Shack, 11035 Central Ave. NE ($42,400.15)
- Westward Ho Motel, 7500 Central Ave. SW ($20,644)
About six months ago, the city announced $432,000 in grants to improve signs along its Route 66 corridor. A total of 25 applications were received.
The sign improvement program is part of the city’s larger Route 66 Centennial Campaign, ramping up in 2025 to celebrate 100 years of the route for its official birthday on Nov. 11, 2026.
(Image from social media of the Imperial Inn Motel sign in Albuquerque)