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Source: KOB-TV, Kassi Foote
The Imperial Motel has been partially open since the beginning of this year, but developers recently completed the finishing touches, recreating a place for people to get away even if it is only for the afternoon. Its original neon sign beckons travelers with promises of fun once again. But you don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy the imperial. The motel has attracted visitors along Route 66 since the early 1960s. But time took its toll on the iconic spot. "I hate to use the words run down but it was definitely different, and I think everyone can appreciate what we've taken and done with the place," aid hospitality area manager Miguel Duran. Duran said developers closed the motel around 2020 for a big renovation. The building on the property's west side is new and includes a bar and food pods with local vendors. "We have people looking for adventure, looking for places along Route 66 and looking for fun along the way," Duran said. The original lobby is now MOJO Rising coffee shop and revamped rooms carry on that nostalgic style. While it's all improved not all of it is new. "(We) did keep the original butterfly rooftop that you saw in the front," Duran said. "It has the same feel as the retro 60s vibe that it originally had." A dip in the pool will also take you back to the Imperial's roots. "The pool is the original pool here that we restored," Duran said. But this isn't the only historic Route 66 hotel that's been brought back to life. David Nidel with the Route 66 Association said the trend started to take off a few years ago. "You see that people really have it in their heart to bring back a piece of yesterday to today's standards," he said. And Nidel said as interest in our Mother Road ramps up so does our local economy. ​"What we see happening when these things turn up is that restaurants and other retail outlets start building up around them then you start attracting more people both local and those traveling in to patronize the site," he said. Staff at the Imperial are excited to show off all their hard work. The grand reopening is Wednesday November 20 from 3 to 6 p.m. And that will include tours of the motel’s retail spaces. They’re still looking for more local vendors to move in. View the full television segment below, including an appearance by David Nidel, New Mexico Route 66 Association former president and association advisor. 
With the Route 66 Centennial approaching, the state is accepting projects corresponding to at least one of the four priority themes identified by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission: commemoratives and publications, events and celebrations, international and national marketing, and infrastructure. The Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group was established in 2023 by Executive Order for the purpose of identifying projects and activities that align with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. They have already hosted four stakeholder meetings in New Mexico communities, offering residents the opportunity to participate in open discussion to brainstorm ideas for promotions, product development, infrastructure investments and more in preparation for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026. Residents and community stakeholders can submit projects through the New Mexico Tourism Department website. Additionally, the Coordination Group will be hosting its next Stakeholder Meeting on November 19 in Grants. Residents and tourism stakeholders in the Grants and Gallup area are encouraged to attend. Learn more about the meeting here.  New Mexico will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026 and will be participating in both national and statewide initiatives to celebrate the country’s “Mother Road.” Route 66 played a significant role in shaping the history and identity of numerous communities in the United States and in New Mexico. The Centennial Anniversary of Route 66 presents a unique occasion to recognize and honor the contributions of New Mexico’s diverse communities, businesses, and individuals along the historic route. In preparation for the Centennial, the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) established a Route 66 Centennial grant program to allocate funding to support this initiative statewide. The Route 66 Centennial grant program aims to provide communities along historic Route 66 support for programs related to consumer experiences, events, destination enhancements, marketing and promotions. An overarching goal is to ensure that New Mexico Route 66 projects dovetail effectively with the National Route 66 Commission to provide consistency with national goals while still tailoring efforts to local communities. Below is a list provided by the New Mexico Tourism Department showing the 2024 grant program applicants and awardees. All recipients for the Route 66 Grant Program have been announced. Congratulations to all the recipients. We are excited about all the work every applicant is accomplishing, MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS GRANT TRACK Santa Fe Performing Arts Collaboration —Not Awarded Visit Albuquerque—Awarded Historic Old Town Association—Awarded City of Santa Rosa—Awarded TOURISM Santa Fe—Awarded City of Moriarty—Awarded SoireeQ LLC—Not Awarded Village of Pecos—Awarded NMLife—Not Awarded New Mexico State Fair Commission—Not Awarded Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque—Not Awarded City of Grants—Awarded City of Gallup—Awarded Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe—Not Awarded Barelas Community Coalition—Awarded Tucumcari Quay County Chamber of Commerce—Awarded INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT TRACK City of Gallup--Awarded City of Albuquerque/Nob Hill MainStreet--Not Awarded City of Albuquerque/San Felipe de Neri--Not Awarded Visit Albuquerque/Historic Old Town Association--Awarded New Mexico State Fair Commission--Awarded Santa Fe Performing Arts Collaboration--Not Awarded Visit Albuquerque/Urbanmama505--Not Awarded New Mexico Route 66 Association, Inc.--Not Awarded City of Albuquerque, Department of Arts and Culture--Awarded National Dance Institute of New Mexico, Inc.--Not Awarded Guadalupe County--Awarded Visit Albuquerque/Carlisle Center for Community and the Arts--Not Awarded TOURISM Santa Fe--Awarded Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Inc.--Not Awarded Village of San Jon--Awarded San Felipe de Neri Parish--Not Awarded City of Albuquerque, City Council--Not Awarded Village of Pecos--Not Awarded City of Tucumcari/Tucumcari MainStreet--Awarded Visit Albuquerque/Dawn Vatoseow--Not Awarded SPECIAL EVENT SPONSORSHIP GRANT TRACK TOURISM Santa Fe/Tumbleroot Brewing LLC--Awarded New Nuevo, LLC--Not Awarded Downtown ABQ MainStreet/Mothership Alumni, LLC--Awarded City of Moriarty--Awarded Santa Fe Children's Museum--Awarded Bi-County Fair, Inc.--Not Awarded City of Albuquerque, Events Division--Awarded Village of Pecos--Awarded Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Inc.--Not Awarded Santa Fe Railyard Corporation--Awarded Guadalupe Community Development Corporation--Awarded Gathering of Nations Limited--Awarded Grants MainStreet Project--Awarded New Mexico Association of the Education of Young Children--Not Awarded Albuquerque Museum Foundation—Not Awarded For more information on the grant program, visit: newmexico.org/industry/work-together/grants/route-66-centennial-grant-program/ The New Mexico Route 66 Association is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the list.  |
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