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Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Albuquerque officials discuss moving historic diner to Route 66 Visitor Center
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – For some it's a childhood memory, 'I grew up there. I remember that diner like I mean growing up, we walked by it, we ate at it, we did everything because it was part of our community,' said one member during a Route 66 Visitor Center Commission meeting. Story continues below Education: APS Board members respond after vulgar text messages sent during board meeting Trending: Working group offers recommendations for AI use in schools to NM lawmakers News: Metropolitan Detention Center reports 6th inmate death this year And for others, it's about family legacy, 'My aunt and uncle were promised those things, I just think that their vision was to see it somewhere in the city,' said a Hernandez family member. The traveling Valentine Diner, known as the Little House Diner, has moved around the city from places like Downtown to Nob Hill. And now, the city will decide its future with this goal in mind, 'To fulfill the original intent of the donation by the Hernandez family, which was to preserve it and celebrate its individual history,' said Shelle Sanchez, Director of Arts and Culture with CABQ. The proposal is to move the diner from Nob Hill, where it's being repurposed as a police substation, to the Route 66 Visitors Center, where it will be restored as a functioning diner. 'To me, what has happened with the diner is a disgrace,' said one member of the commission about the adjustment made to its original design. 'Their vision was for it to be in a prominent place, and I don't feel like out here is in a prominent place,' said one Hernandez family member. Members of the Hernandez family questioned the newly formed Route 66 Visitor Center Commission about whether people would actually go to the location on the outskirts of town. 'We kind of want it to be used the way they wanted it to be used, and I don't get that impression from, you know, putting it out here,' said one Hernandez family member. A Larry Barker investigation revealed that the city spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to furnish the building without proper oversight. Three years after its ribbon-cutting, the building still isn't open to the public. The city said this could change by the end of the summer, as they are in the process of hiring staff for the center. They believe that with a sign park coming this fall, the center will pick up traction. 'We actually are very optimistic about the number of people that will come here,' said Sanchez. Nob Hill's Neighborhood Association said they will be disappointed if the diner is relocated, saying, 'The little diner is dear to our hearts. It's been there 28 years.' Members with Nob Hill Main Street expressed support for the project, saying, 'If there's a place where this Valentine diner can be properly showcased, then that should be what happens.' 'I do believe this is the right location for it. And I do think you will see that,' said Sanchez to members of the public at the meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City looking to move APD substation in preparation for Route 66 Centennial
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Drive along Central near the University of New Mexico, and you will encounter a piece of history. This tiny police substation may soon be on the move as part of the upcoming celebration of the Route 66 centennial. Story continues below News: Albuquerque's downtown vacant buildings ordinance will go into effect July 1 Investigation: 'It's on her': Senator defunds DA citing attitude, staff shortage Sports Office: Catching up with World Champion Boxer Danny Romero Jr Shelley Sanchez, the director of Arts and Culture for the City of Albuquerque, said, 'It's not crazy to think that we could move it again to its next long-term home on another piece of Route 66.' Currently, the substation is located at the corner of Girard and Central, but the city is planning to relocate it entirely. The substation was originally a Valentine Diner, one of the many prefabricated diners that became popular in the 1930s and could be easily moved. Sanchez said, 'These were kind of tiny, ready-to-go diners that people could purchase. They could seat anywhere from three to maybe 12 people. If you wanted to start a restaurant, you could just buy one, have it delivered by train, and be ready to go.' In fact, this substation was not at its current location for long, as it was situated at 8th and Central just 30 years ago. The city aims to move the diner to the Route 66 Visitor Center in time for the centennial next year. However, the center has faced controversy. An investigation by Larry Barker revealed that the city spent $320,000 to furnish the building without proper oversight, and the building is still not open to the public. The city has indicated that this could change by the end of the summer as they are working to hire staff for the center. They plan to convert the substation back into a diner, creating a historical exhibit connected to the Mother Road. 'When we move it to a place like the Visitor Center, where we will have staff starting later this summer, we can open it to the public so that people can actually go into this space,' said Sanchez. It remains unclear how much the move will cost, but the city expects to have a better estimate of its feasibility by the end of summer. Sanchez added, 'Before we make the final decision as the administration and the department, we want to finish those conversations to ensure we are really hearing what everyone needs from this process.' If approved, the relocation could take place by fall of this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
