Policy for Route 66 Signs in New Mexico
The Board of Directors met February 8th and the following comprehensive
approach to signs related to historic Route 66 in New Mexico was passed
as an Association policy. It will guide future projects carried out by the
New Mexico Route 66 Association, the New Mexico MainStreet Program and the
State of New Mexico Scenic Byways Program.
First, all efforts will be made to add the dual designation of New Mexico
state highway signs on remaining portions of historic Route 66 to include
"New Mexico Route 66." Since there were two alignments, the Association
recommends the 1926-1937 alignment be designated "New Mexico Route
66-A". This would include the old so-called north/south alignment through
Romeroville, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and Los Lunas and the adjacent
Pueblos. The section of the east/west alignment from Santa Rosa through
Moriarty, Tijeras Canyon, Albuquerque, over the Rio Puerco through Laguna
Pueblo, which was designated in 1938, would be "New Mexico Route 66-B."
The Association has a Bill in this session to accomplish such a goal; HB-437
sponsored by Representative Gail Beam of Albuquerque, and SB-395 sponsored
by Senator Gloria Howes of Gallup. The Association will assist the State
Highway and Transportation Department in inventorying and identifying a
budget for this project as well as advocate for TEA-21 Enhancement and Scenic
Byway funds for completion by 2001, the 75th Anniversary of historic Route
66.
Second, the Association will continue to support the State of New Mexico's
MainStreet Program's projects in installing directional signs off the interstates
to remaining portions of historic Route 66 in New Mexico on both alignments.
Third, the Association wishes to have future "Historic Route 66"
signs installed on all public roads formerly known as Route 66, but not
under state highway designation and maintenance. These include portions
of historic Route 66 designated and operated as city roads, or under the
operation and maintenance of tribal and Pueblo governments. |
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Laguna Pueblo Membership Meeting a Success Despite the Storm
The Association's meeting in January at Laguna proved to be a watershed.
Twenty-five of our members braved the wind and hail along I-40 to arrive
at the Pueblo as the sun broke through the clouds. The Green and Red Chile
stews served up at the Pueblo were exceptional and helped fuel the discussions
of what to do in our local communities for 2001, the 75th Anniversary of
Route 66.
Five major activities for the Association were addressed by participants
and accepted by the Board of Directors in helping to coordinate the 75th
Anniversary statewide.
- Develop and complete the historic Route 66 sign system in New Mexico.
- Develop a New Mexico Route 66 cultural and historical resources brochure
for the 75th Anniversary.
- Develop a partnership with the state Tourism Department, the Tourism
Association of New Mexico, and other Associations, Chambers and Visitors
Bureaus responsible for Tourism Development to raise funds for statewide
marketing and promoting of Route 66 during the 75th Anniversary.
- Help create a statewide Route 66 design and slogan for the 75th.
The brainstorming session provided many other ideas, events, projects
and activities to celebrate historic Route 66. The Directors will pass those
ideas on to local Route 66 communities, when determining that the Association
is not the appropriate entity to develop and produce such events.
Corrections
The Board of Directors would like to note some corrections in the last
issue of the New Mexico Route 66 Association Newsletter; the cover story
by Carla Sanders needed several corrections including the names of the Cultural
Corridors art works which are "Fire and Ice" and "Paso Por
Aqui". Additionally, it should be noted that the Moriarty Art Project
is also part of the Cultural Corridors Program managed by New Mexico Arts;
this important fact was inadvertently left out of the article. We want to
thank Carla of the Cultural Corridors Program for her article on the art
works in Gallup and Susie McComb for her article on the new artwork in Moriarty. |
Legislative Updates
Federal Legislation setting up a ten million dollar Corridor Management
Plan and Preservation Fund for Historic Route 66 under the Parks Service
of the Interior Department has been introduced by U.S. Representative Heather
Wilson. That Bill is known as HR. 66, (imagine that!) A companion bill,
S. 292 (formerly S. 2133) has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator
Pete Domenici. The bills are co-sponsored by U.S. Senator
Jeff Bingaman, and U.S. Representatives Joe Skeen and Tom Udall. All of
New Mexico's Congressional Delegation is taking the national lead to preserve
remaining portions of historic Route 66. The funds are critical if we are
to preserve the unique scenic and built environments of former U.S. Route
66. Our Association is on record supporting these bills with both former
Association President, Sue Mann and current President Susie McComb assisting
in the process. As members of the National Historic Route 66 Federation,
we have supported it's Executive Director, David Knudson, in moving these
bills forward. At time of publication, both bills were expected to pass
and a special media celebration had been planned. |
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Victory in Missouri!
The Lebanon Daily Record printed good news long in coming for Judy Wallmark
of Missouri. "If all that holds true, it's great news," she exclaimed
when hearing that she could again use Route 66 as her mailing address. She
felt as though she'd received a belated Christmas present, but one worth
waiting for.
Wallmark was told by her State Representative Beth Long that the U.S.
Postal Service will allow alternate delivery addresses for those living
along Route 66. Last year, Long introduced House Bill 948 that renamed all
surviving portions of the old highway as "Route 66."
Those who live along the historic route now have a choice of mailing
addresses. They can choose to keep their current street name, switch it
to "Route 66" or even use "U.S. Highway 66."
While there are other details, according to Wallmark, the bottom line
is: "We Won!" Congratulations on the good news to Missouri! |
New Mexico Legislation for Historic Route
66 Proposed
This year during the New Mexico Legislative Session, the New Mexico Route
66 Association worked with several legislators to introduce some important
pieces of legislation. First was the Renaming/ Renumbering Project. As part
of a comprehensive plan for Historic Road Signs on New Mexico Route 66 (see
related story on sign policy, page 3), the Association is supporting Senate
Bill SB-395, introduced by Senator Gloria Howes from Gallup and its companion
Bill in the House, HB-437, sponsored by Representative Gail Beam of Albuquerque.
Both legislators have major portions of the Route 66 roadway in their districts.
The Bill instructs the state of New Mexico Highway Department to inventory
all former U.S. Route 66 roadway that is operated today under various New
Mexico Highway numerical designations, and add to those New Mexico numerical
designations a "New Mexico Route 66" sign and to include the dual
designation in future state highway maps. Through redesignation, national
and international travelers seeking the remaining portions of the roadway
will easily locate those portions, traveling them to local New Mexico Route
66 communities statewide. The implementation of the roadway change is to
occur prior to the 75th Anniversary of Route 66 in 2001.
Second is an allocation for funding for the 75th Anniversary, 2001, Senate
Joint Memorial-46 & SB- 628, Lead Sponsor - Senator Phil Griego, and
House Joint Memorial-63 & HB-728, Lead Sponsor - Representative Rhonda
King. Top of next colunm. |
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During the quarterly membership meeting at Laguna Pueblo in January, it
was decided to pursue dedicated funding to assist our New Mexico Route 66
communities in promoting and marketing their historic and cultural assets.
Many of our communities bypassed by the Interstate in the mid-60s found
their Route 66 traffic slow to a trickle.
The results were a harsh blow to many local economies and small businesses.
But with the rise of Heritage Tourism, and the resurgence of interest in
the "Mother Road" and "America's Main Street," historic
Route 66 is an underdeveloped asset in New Mexico to generate new income
and diversify struggling local Route 66 community economies.
Capitalizing on the 75th Anniversary, the Bill is actually divided into
two parts. The "Joint Memorial" (see next page) lays out the rationale
for a second Bill which appropriates the funding. Representative Rhonda
King of Moriarty has introduced Joint Memorial 63 and HB-728 in the House
and Senator Phil Griego of Santa Fe has introduced the companion Bills,
Joint Memorial 46 and SB-628 in the Senate.
The Bills provide for a total of $200,000 in funding ($100,000 dedicated
to the Department of Tourism and $100,000 dedicated to the Economic Development
Department). The funds would be used to assist local communities restore,
market and promote their Route 66 cultural and historic assets for the 75th
Anniversary in 2001. When the House and Senate adopt these Bills they will
go to Governor Johnson to sign or veto. To get more information on the progress
of the legislation please call us at (505) 832-4087 or check with the Legislative
Council Services at (505) 986-4600. |
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