Mayor Bartlett Unveils Route 66 Center Proposal
Mayor Dewey Bartlett today announced that the City is seeking proposals from developers to build a Route 66 tourist center at the junction of Riverside Drive and old Route 66 at Southwest Boulevard.
The City is investing $6.5 million in the project and invites developers to make detailed proposals for what they would like to build.
The interpretive center and retail/entertainment complex will be built on city-owned land across the street from the iconic East Meets West bronze sculpture and the Cyrus Avery Memorial Bridge. That bridge over the Arkansas River is credited with bringing the “Mother Road” through Tulsa.
Bartlett unveiled the Request for Proposal Thursday morning at the Tulsa Trends event hosted by the local chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks. After speaking to that group, the mayor hosted a dedication event for a Route 66 “Cultural Crossroads” plaza at 11th and South Yale.
Tourists from around the world follow the old Route 66 roads and highways each year and Tulsa hopes to gain a greater share of that tourism market, the mayor said.
The City’s contribution to the project includes $1.5 million from the Vision 2025 Route 66 funds and $5 million in third-penny sales tax funds, to provide infrastructure and leverage private investment.
A copy of the can be seen on the City’s website at: www.cityoftulsa.org/ED-rfp
Updated 10-29-2013
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