WEBB CITY, Mo. —
The Route 66 Center, located at the corner of Webb and Broadway streets, opened with much fanfare Tuesday morning.
Several state and local leaders, Webb City residents and a few Route 66 enthusiasts were on hand Tuesday for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Webb City Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Joplin resident Dave Owen, a self-proclaimed fan of the famous highway, of the new center. “I think it’s a good tool to bring in tourists to the area.”
The building, a former gas station, received new roofing, air conditioning and heating units, walls, garage doors and floors with two grants totaling about $55,000, Surface said. City officials hope the center will attract visitors to the city, which is working to capitalize on its connection to Route 66.
“We will endeavor to keep folks in Webb City ... seeing what Webb City has to offer,” Surface said.
Some work remains to be done. The center will eventually sell Route 66 clothing and souvenirs, and Mayor John Biggs — who painted the mural inside the building — has agreed to paint another mural on the outer brick wall just north of the center.
City officials are also planning next spring to begin work on a visitors park along Route 66 just east of Webb City.
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Webb City’s Route 66 Center opens
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