TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Beth Beatty, City Manager
SUBJECT:
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Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding between Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Joliet for Installation of Route 66 Interpretive Signs and Objects at Route 66 Park at Broadway Street Greenway
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BACKGROUND:
The State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has made grant funds under the Route 66 Grant Program available to the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (HCCVB) for the purpose of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, which includes attraction development along historic Route 66.
The City-owned Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway is a well-known Route 66 visitor destination for its 1950's era ice cream stand (Rich & Creamy) that is open seasonally at 920 Broadway Street; however, the existing Route 66 interpretive signs and objects at the site have outlived their life span and are now illegible. The City identified the Route 66 Grant Program, that is being administered locally by the HCCVB, as a viable funding source to replace these interpretive signs and objects. These signs were installed in 2007 through an Illinois Tourism Bureau grant.
CONCLUSION:
The existing signs and objects are illegible and outdated. They either need to be removed or replaced. City administration believes that the Route 66 Grant Program offers a viable funding source to enhance the site with informational sign panels that will highlight the history of Joliet and Route 66 as well as describe and direct visitors to local destinations including downtown Joliet. The City was awarded $118,000 in funding through the Route 66 Grant Program to execute this project. There is no local match required; however, approval of the MOU with the HCCVB obligates the City to make a one-time payment of three thousand dollars ($3,000) to the HCCVB to cover grant management costs for the exhibit. The City has funding ...
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