YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Opinion: Route 66 proposal to honor the Mother Road

Posted online

Covering 2,448 miles of iconic Americana, Route 66 has paved the way for millions of Americans in its 87-year history. A symbol of America’s wanderlust, Route 66 was the first completely paved transcontinental highway in America – the Mother Road – stretching from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Coast.

A lover of all things American history, it seems only fitting my fascination with our beginnings would culminate in an icon I drive twice daily to work. A symbol of bygone days, my husband and I have mentally mapped out vacation plans to tour the road in it’s entirety – a trip thousands of Americans and still more foreign travelers make each year. Locally, we’ve taken pictures out front of the old Solo Cup factory, in the glow of Rest Haven’s neon sign and walked the concrete of the original route on the corner of Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street. Despite Springfield’s history with the road, the city has no gathering place for its followers.

Officially recognized as the birthplace of Route 66, traces of the road are still visible in Springfield through Park Central Square and along Kearney, Glenstone, St. Louis and College roadways. A living piece of our history, the Mother Road continues to evolve, change and deteriorate, and it’s up to us to ensure that history rolls on for posterity.

Part of a plan adopted by City Council in August 2012 and the fruit of a yearlong public planning committee, the city now has a preliminary plan in place to revitalize the route along College Street, between Kansas Expressway and Grant Street.

According to Springfield Business Journal archives, a city background and analysis report shows public and private properties in the corridor are blighted, with 40 percent of existing structures in need of major rehabilitation or already beyond feasible repair. But that could soon change.

“We asked people if they wanted a revamped sidewalk system or a themed roadway, and we were overwhelmed with the response to make our part of Route 66 great again,” said Jerany Jackson, department head of special services for Great River Associates Inc., who worked with the city during the public meeting phase. “With so many international travelers, this is not only a way to restore our history, but also a great opportunity for the city to capitalize on tourism dollars and be proud of what we have.”

Jackson said the preliminary plan calls for streetscape work, a roadside park, distinctive signage, intricate brickwork and grand entryways at Kansas and Grant.

“We want to incorporate things in the park such as a rock-covered motor court for sitting, reminiscent of those along the route, and a water fountain made to resemble an old car,” she said. “This is something the public wants. We had 12 meetings with an average attendance of 50 people at each meeting – the community has it in their heads, and they are not giving up.”

With no firm timeline or estimated cost in place for restoration, Vern Morgan, senior planner with the city of Springfield’s Department of Planning and Development, said the project will now move on to the design phase.

“This is a continual process, and it’s not going to happen overnight,” he said. “Having a preliminary plan is half the battle. At least we know what we want now, but this is ongoing as we move forward with design. I think we could be done in the next three to five years.”

Renderings of the proposed College Street corridor plans and more information on joining in the revitalization effort are posted to SpringfieldMo.gov/CollegeStreet.

Scrolling through the preliminary designs makes me smile. If completed – or should I say when – Springfield will have a corridor of which to be proud. Jackson said it numerous times and I agree: This is a happy project.

As the news of work done to repair the route spreads, the Mother Road will raise the next generation of history buffs. She’s seen us through highs and lows, but she’s starting to show her age. With a little motherly love, she can be great again.

Springfield Business Journal Features Editor Emily Letterman can be reached at eletterman@sbj.net.

[[In-content Ad]]

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
From the Ground Up: Republic Intermediate School

The Republic School District is on track to open its Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences