Tom Willis, owner of the landmark 66 Diner in Albuquerque and charter member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, died Wednesday. He was 71. Sue Montgomery, vice president of the association, stated by email that "from my understanding" Willis died of COVID-19 and "had some underlying conditions that didn't help." Willis would be the … Continue reading Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Tag: Albuquerque
‘Topping out’ ceremony held for Route 66 Visitors Center project in Albuquerque
Albuquerque officials took part in a "topping out" ceremony Wednesday for the Route 66 Visitors Center construction project on Nine Mile Hill on the city's west side. "Topping out" is where the final beam and highest point in the building is installed. During the ceremony, attendees signed the beam that will be encased in the … Continue reading ‘Topping out’ ceremony held for Route 66 Visitors Center project in Albuquerque
Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Six projects, including four historic sites, will receive more than $103,000 in cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridon Preservation Program under the auspices of the National Park Service. The awards first were revealed Thursday in a social media post for the Road Runner's Retreat complex, which received a grant, near Chambless, California. Here are … Continue reading Newest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
City of Albuquerque breaks ground on Imperial Inn redevelopment plan
The City of Albuquerque this week broke ground on a $7.6 million redevelopment project for the Imperial Inn Motel along Route 66. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque: The plans for the Imperial Inn on Central, just west of I-25, include 52 guest rooms and 16 residential suites, along with space for a dozen businesses including … Continue reading City of Albuquerque breaks ground on Imperial Inn redevelopment plan
Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations
The historic Monterey Motel and its attached MOMO Lounge are expected to reopen Aug. 4 after extensive renovations and redesigns that bring the property back to its earlier roots, according to a local newspaper. The Paper in Albuquerque published many details about how Rupal Engineer of Design Plus LLC tackled the face-lift for the Route … Continue reading Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations
Lobo Theater in Albuquerque to be converted into a concert venue
The historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque soon will be converted into the Lobo Lounge and Event Center and reopen next month. According to a report by KQRE-TV in Albuquerque, the theater was used as a church starting in 2000 but had been closed during the pandemic. J. Richard Rivas told the station some of his … Continue reading Lobo Theater in Albuquerque to be converted into a concert venue
Albuquerque announces “ABQ 66” promotional campaign
The City of Albuquerque's Economic Development Department recently announced it was launching an "ABQ 66" comprehensive marketing campaign to revitalize Albuquerque’s historic Route 66 by boosting consumer activity and sales revenue along the corridor as the city and nation begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a video that touts the campaign: https://youtu.be/y3LAUu9Pc7s The … Continue reading Albuquerque announces “ABQ 66” promotional campaign
Owner of University Lodge in Albuquerque pushes forward to make improvements
The owner of the University Lodge in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque said she'll push to finish improvements to the Route 66 motel by sometime next year. Owner Sharmin Dharas, who grew up in the motel, told KRQE-TV that many of the issues that plagued her property subsided once the city forced a nearby convenience … Continue reading Owner of University Lodge in Albuquerque pushes forward to make improvements
M’tucci’s Italian restaurant moving into Kellys Brew Pub site in Albuquerque
M'tucci's, an Italian restaurant with locations in Albuquerque and nearby Rio Rancho, is opening another eatery in the closed Kellys Brew Pub and Restaurant site along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in the city. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reported on the development: President John Haas says M’Tucci’s fans will find plenty of their favorites on the … Continue reading M’tucci’s Italian restaurant moving into Kellys Brew Pub site in Albuquerque
Sand dunes can be found a short distance from Route 66 on Albuquerque’s west side
A number of Route 66 travelers take a nearly 200-mile side trip south of Santa Rosa to White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico to see the wondrous sand dunes there. Sand dunes also exist barely a mile south of Route 66 on the west side of Albuquerque, though they're the usual beige color … Continue reading Sand dunes can be found a short distance from Route 66 on Albuquerque’s west side