Respondents noted the growing interest in bicycle tourism and the recent initiatives pertaining to Route 66 put forth by the Adventure Cycling Association as an example of potential new markets (link “n”).

Those that addressed this issue cited the Chain of Rocks Bridge as a positive example of how abandoned infrastructure can be utilized to meet the needs of this market. The loss of the bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri was referenced as an example of threats that jeopardize capitalizing on it.  They also noted that preservation of these components was crucial if this potential market was to be fully capitalized on.

Building preservation and repurposing is also an issue of pressing concern. This is a wide ranging issue that runs the gamut from preserving structures in an arrested state of decay similar to Bodie, California to full refurbishment of long abandoned businesses.

Underlying the urgency expressed by some respondents is the need to educate communities about utilizing the Route 66 renaissance as a catalyst for development and redevelopment that is linked to the preservation of historic structures.  Several respondents proposed a relatively simplistic and similar means of resolution.

Cuba, Missouri, Galena, Kansas, Pontiac, Illinois, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tucumcari, New Mexico were often cited as examples of communities that had successfully harnessed the resurgent interest in Route as a catalyst for transformation. The suggestion was to compile a report that detailed how these and other communities utilized innovative zoning ordinances, beautification programs, the repurposing of historic structures, and other initiatives to make this transition, and submit it to city managers and mayors in communities along the Route 66 corridor.

Specific examples cited for inclusion in the report include:

a)      The opening of the Route 66 Arcade Museum in Atlanta, Illinois–

b)      Transformation of the Old Trails dealership showroom in Kingman, Arizonainto the Route 66 Ice Cream Shop & Bakery –

c)      Refurbishment and reopening of the Roadrunner Lodge in Tucumcari, New Mexico –

d)     The mural program in Cuba, Missouri –

e)      Renovation of the Eagle Theater in Pontiac, Illinoisto serve as multipurpose facility suitable diner theater, musical revues , meetings, conferences, etc. –

f)       Refurbishment of the Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri–

g)      Refurbishment of the Campbell Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma–

h)      Establishment of the Route 66 ElectricVehicle Museumin Kingman, Arizona –

i)        The El Garces project in Needles, California –

j)        The City of Albuquerque’s initiatives to prevent demolition of the historic El Vado Motel –

k)      Development of the promotional partnership between Galena, Kansas and Joplin, Missouri–

l)        Façade renovation project in Sapulpa, Oklahoma–

It was also suggested that workshops and conferences be included in at least one major Route 66 event annually. These educational venues should include information about grants, grant acquisition, zoning, social media, the needs of the international market, and related subjects.

A centralized source for the listing of Route 66 properties that are for sale, endangered properties, and properties being scheduled for demolition was also proposed. This source could also serve as a venue to solicit support from the international community to intervene when properties are threatened.

As with issues pertaining to promotion, marketing, and education, the general consensus in regards to resolving problems associated with infrastructure preservation and development was that establishment of a representative organization would be the best means to address them. Such an organization could provide the leadership to initiate, assist, magnify, support, and coordinate grassroots initiatives.

a)               – http://www.wmf.org/dig-deeper/publication/route-66-economic-impact-study-technical-report-volume-i

b)              http://national66.org/

c)               http://ncptt.nps.gov/rt66/route-66-road-ahead-initiative/

d)              http://www.route66news.com/2015/01/05/two-national-route-66-associations-merge-one/

e)               http://national66.org/route-66-online-store/

f)               http://route66chamberofcommerce.homestead.com/

g)              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_P_U5tW29c

h)              http://www.si.com/swimsuit/2015/on-location/route-66/videos/route-66

i)                http://www.croatiaweek.com/worlds-first-electric-vehicle-museum-opens-in-arizona-usa-but-idea-starts-in-croatia/

j)                http://www.route66news.com/2015/03/27/route-66-festival-planned-in-europe-in-2016/

k)              http://route66chick.blogspot.com/2015/03/miles-of-possibility-edwardsville-route.html

l)                http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/endangered-site-historic-route-66-usa-52145829/?no-ist

m)            http://cmp.route66ca.org/

n)              http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/bicycle-route-66/

o)              http://www.plugshare.com/

TO THE CONTRIBUTORS WHO RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST AND PROVIDED INSIGHT AND OPINIONS VIA CORRESPONDENCE OR DISCUSSION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS REPORT, THANK YOU*

Vickie Ashcraft, Enchanted Trails Trading Post and RV Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kaisa Barthuli, Program Manager, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, National Park Service

Dries Bessels, Dutch Route 66 Association member

Jeroen and Maggie Boersma, Dutch Route 66 Association members

Willem and Monique Bor, Dutch Route 66 Association members

David and Amanda Brenner, Roadrunner Lodge, Tucumcari, New Mexico

Dale Butel, Route 66 Tours, Australia

Renee Charles, associate, Kansas Route 66 Association

Larry Clonts, Shamrock Economic Development Corporation, Shamrock, Texas

Jim Conkle, Route 66 personality, tour guide

Gary Cron, Route 66 Radio

Rich Dinkela, Missouri based community organizer, business owner, and educational resources developer

David Dunaway, New Mexico

Glen Duncan, associate, California Route 66 Association

Silke Durnez, BelgiumRoute 66 Association

Connie Echols, Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, Missouri

Gar and Heidi Engman, Teepee Curios, Tucumcari, New Mexico

Toshiyuki Goto, Japanese Route 66 Association

Allen and Stacy Greer, Frontier Motel, Truxton, Arizona

Ron Hart, Route 66 Chamber of Commerce

David Heward, Holbrook community organizer

Debra Hodkin, Route 66 Mother Road Museum, Barstow, California

Cheryl Eichar Jett, author, Illinois based community organizer

Zdnek Jurasek, Czech Route 66 Association

Ed Klein, Route 66 World

Jan and Henk Kuperus, U.S.Bikers/USA Holidays, Netherlands

Karl Kuperus and Hanneke Wiersma, tour guides

Ramona Lehman, Munger Moss Motel, Lebanon, Missouri

Bob Lile, artist and tour guide

Mannie Mendelson, Route 66 Last Stop Shop, Santa Monica California

Dora Meroney, owner, Texas Ivy Antiques, Amarillo, Texas, President Old Route 66 Association of Texas

Kevin and Nancy Mueller, Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico

Sam Murray, owner, Frontier Motel and Restaurant, Truxton, Arizona, Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours, New Zealand

Brad Nickson, associate, Oklahoma Route 66 Association

Kumar Patel, Wigwam Motel, Rialto, California

Scott Piotrowski, tour guide, organizer 90^th anniversary Route 66 celebration in Los Angeles, California

Rosie Ramos, Fenders Resort, Needles, California

Katie Robleski, Fading Nostalgia

Joe Sonderman, author

Richard Talley, Motel Safari, Tucumcari, New Mexico

Bill Thomas, Atlanta, Illinois

Mike Ward, Route 66 enthusiast, consultant, and organizer

Wolfgang Werz, German Route 66 Association

Masel Zimmer, Waterhole #2, Texola, Oklahoma