City gives update on Route 66 Visitor Center. Now slated to open in the spring.

In less than a year, people could be enjoying a cold beverage while listening to music and photographing neon signs at the Route 66 Visitor Center.

During a tour of the property Thursday afternoon, city of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture Director Shelle Sanchez said the facility is expected to open in May 2025 after being closed for months following the city’s acquisition of the property.

The opening could coincide with the city’s Route 66 Centennial celebration kickoff, which is expected to happen in late May or early June, Arts & Culture spokesperson Tanya Lenti said.

The visitor center sits at 12300 Central SW, outside of city limits in Bernalillo County, west of the Westside Animal Shelter.

“The center’s purpose goes well beyond a traditional roadside visitors center where people stop in for a snack, restroom break, and maps,” Lenti said.

She said the 21,000-square-foot building is expected to house an exhibit area featuring items such as classic cars and art, a taproom, event room and a sign park that is expected to include classic neon. It will also host events and be available for private rentals.

“We believe in this project,” Sanchez said. “We want to make it amazing. We want people to come here and be engaged and inspired.”

Sanchez said the cost for the exhibits, including the sign gallery, is slated to cost between $500,000 and $750,000.

The estimated figure is in addition to the $13.1 million it cost to build the center.

The West Central Community Development Group was contracted to operate the visitor center from June 2023 until February when the city took ownership of the building, which was financed with state, city and county funds. The Bernalillo County Commission voted unanimously in February to drop the property from the county portfolio and declined to continue funding in April.

In the past six months, the city has worked on repairs and upgrades to the facility. This includes the installation of an audiovisual system ($82,130) and security system ($159,433).

“We’re incredibly excited to begin programming this cultural facility with community events and museum-quality exhibits,” Sanchez said in a statement. “However, before we can open the doors to the public, there are essential steps we need to take to ensure the space is safe, compliant, and fully ready to serve the community in the way it deserves.”

Lenti said the department has been working through a list of repairs, maintenance and building system needs such as HVAC repairs, plumbing, irrigation and elevators.

It had been two years since the building’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. The building was incomplete at the September 2022 celebration due to delayed materials and other setbacks.

The city has the experience, background and staff “to take it over and to move forward,” Sanchez said Thursday.