Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs

The City of Albuquerque this week announced it is providing a total of $432,000 in grants to restore or renovate historic signs along its Central Avenue (aka Route 66). The city's Department of Arts and Culture and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency have developed a Sign Improvement Program for owners of historic signs who can restore … Continue reading Albuquerque sets aside $432,000 to restore or renovate historic Route 66 signs

Renovations on Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be finished by fall

A two-year renovation project on the once-troubled Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be completed by the autumn. The motel at 701 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will have 52 guest rooms, 16 residential suites and several businesses. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque filed this report: According to RoadsideArchitecture.com, the Imperial Inn opened in the early 1960s … Continue reading Renovations on Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be finished by fall

Design for Albuquerque’s Rail Trail includes a 25-foot LED neon tumbleweed

The City of Albuquerque several days ago unveiled the design for its Rail Trail that includes a 25-foot LED neon tumbleweed. The Albuquerque Journal reports the 7-mile, $60 million walkway and cycling trail that will circle downtown will highlight the history of the railroad and Route 66. The city hopes to begin construction by fall. … Continue reading Design for Albuquerque’s Rail Trail includes a 25-foot LED neon tumbleweed

Griff’s Hamburgers abruptly closes down its Albuquerque Route 66 location

Griff's Hamburgers, a small regional chain that dates back more than 60 years, announced it was shutting down its Albuquerque restaurant along Route 66 after the end of the business day on July 6. This is what the company posted on its website for the Albuquerque location at 8516 Central Ave. (aka Route 66): “After … Continue reading Griff’s Hamburgers abruptly closes down its Albuquerque Route 66 location

Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque quietly opens; grand opening tentatively set for August

The Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque's west side quietly opened to the public on June 21, the first day of summer, and it reportedly will hold a grand opening celebration sometime in August. The center at 12300 Central Ave. SW (aka Route 66) will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until … Continue reading Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque quietly opens; grand opening tentatively set for August

Albuquerque area wants to revitalize original stretches of Route 66 before its centennial

The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are working on a plan to revitalize the pre-1937 stretch of Route 66, also known as El Camino Real and as part of the Santa Fe Loop, before the historic highway's centennial in 2026. KRQE-TV reported: Albuquerque city councilor Klarissa Peña introduced a resolution expanding the city’s Route … Continue reading Albuquerque area wants to revitalize original stretches of Route 66 before its centennial

Four Route 66 restaurants win $40,000 grants from National Trust fund

Four restaurants with strong Route 66 ties each received $40,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The 25 restaurants receiving the 2023 round of grants were announced Friday by the National Trust. Here are the four along Route 66: Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, Arizona Mitla Café, … Continue reading Four Route 66 restaurants win $40,000 grants from National Trust fund

Unser Racing Museum leaving Albuquerque for a new spot in Nebraska

Apparently the Unser racing family's deep roots in Albuquerque weren't deep enough to keep its museum in the Duke City. The Unser Racing Museum announced Friday it would close and move its massive collection to the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska. The move is occurring despite the city offering $4 million … Continue reading Unser Racing Museum leaving Albuquerque for a new spot in Nebraska

Central Avenue Bridge in Albuquerque might become a city landmark

The Central Avenue Bridge that carries Route 66 over the Rio Grande in Albuquerque soon will be considered a city landmark by the city's Landmarks Commission. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, a historic preservation planner explained during a meeting that the bridge remains one of Albuquerque’s most historically significant structures. The planner, Silvia Bolivar, says, … Continue reading Central Avenue Bridge in Albuquerque might become a city landmark

Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist

Proper Meats + Provisions, a restaurant that took over the former historic Grand Canyon Cafe in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, recently became a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for culinary excellence. Proper Meats, which also doubles as a butcher shop, was a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category of the annual Beard Awards. The … Continue reading Restaurant in the former Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff named a Beard Award finalist