Missouri Route 66 Corridor Management Plan Released

The development of this document, the Missouri Route 66 Corridor Management Plan, has been the undertaking of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, and administered by Missouri Department of Transportation. The document was prepared by Great River Associates under the direction of Spencer Jones, P.E. and Jerany Jackson, ASLA, MBA.

The ultimate intent of this document is to recognize, protect, and promote Missouri’s Route 66 as one of America’s most outstanding roads. All the information discussed has been compiled into this corridor management plan in an effort to identify the significance of Missouri Route 66.

This plan is a required step in the Missouri Route 66 formal application for the National Scenic Byway Program. This program recognizes two types of byways; National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. It is the goal of this document
to represent that the Missouri Route 66 meets and exceeds the requirements for recognition as an All-American Road. Recognition as such accesses funding opportunities that will highlight and market the intrinsic resources of the Route thereby creating interest and economic growth along the corridor.

Read the Plan

Volume I

Preface

Introduction

History

Public Involvement

Intrinsic Resources

Corridor Mapping

Existing Conditions

Wayfinding

Education

Marketing & Promotional Branding

Economic Development

Toolbox

Appendix

Driving Map

Volume II

St. Louis County

Franklin County

Crawford County

Phelps County

Pulaski County

Laclede County

Webster County

Greene County

Lawrence County

Jasper County

Governor Nixon’s tax credit commission criticized as lacking enough representation of people who know economic benefits of Historic Tax Credits

Following is a press release from the Missouri Coalition for Historic Preservation
and Economic Development:

“July 22, 2010 Governor Jay Nixon released his plans for creating a commission to perform a review of the state tax credit programs yesterday. The Missouri Coalition for Historic Preservation and Economic Development (MCHPED) spokesperson Deb Sheals, stated, “We are concerned that the Governor’s commission does not appear to have enough representation from people and organizations that are familiar with the dramatic impact the Historic Tax Credit has had in the production of jobs and economic development across Missouri. There are, for example, no representatives from small main street organizations, community development organizations, or historic preservation organizations, all of whom have firsthand experience in how well the program works for the average citizen. Missouri leads the nation in economic development from the historic tax credit, and any commission that is looking at this issue should include more members that are familiar with how it works.”
It also appears that the members chosen for the commission mirror a previous effort taken midway through the 2010 legislative session to pit education vs. development and redevelopment in communities throughout the state. This is not an either-or situation; economic development through historic preservation creates a stronger tax base and is therefore a benefit to education.
The State Historic Tax Program is a proven economic engine. Historic Tax Credits create jobs, encourage environmentally sensitive redevelopment, and long term revenue sustainability for the state of Missouri. Since 2000, historic tax credits have
generated more than $669 million dollars in revenue for the state and local governments while creating 43,150 new and retained jobs with an average salary of $42,732. The Governor’s attacks are creating industry-wide uncertainty and have crippled the effectiveness of the program as an economic stimulus.
MCHPED looks forward to once again demonstrating the tremendous state and community benefits generated by the Historic Tax Credit Program.”

Missouri Route 66 Corridor Management Plan Meetings to Take Place in January and February 2010

The Public Meetings that will be held for the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) are critical to the overall process and the end product. In fact, in order for the Route 66 Association of Missouri to make application for the National Byway Program, a CMP must be completed and in place. The public meetings are a critical part of the plan. Visiting each county and giving the public an opportunity to weigh in on the preservation, protection, and promotion opportunities for the Route 66 corridor will allow Great River to provide better tools for each county individually to implement strategies.

Ultimately one of the largest goals of the Corridor Management Plan is to focus on the economic development opportunities that may exist in the corridor. The public plays a key role in helping to identify unique opportunities that we may not be aware of in our field observation. We encourage public participation in these meetings in an effort to gain more complete knowledge of each county so that the corridor management plan will ultimately be a useful tool for all.

Community involvement through participation in the public meetings is important not only to gain new ideas, but to further improve community empowerment enhancing existing and proposed project features.

Determining community needs increases support and acceptance and reduces concerns, fears, and false rumors that can negatively impact the success of a project. The process of proper information and reciprocal dialog determines successful community involvement. Only a properly informed community can be a positive asset in the process of developing the CMP.

Time for all Meetings is 6-8 PM. Meetings will be presented by Great River Engineering. For Updates and to verify information check: http://Route66.greatrivereng.com or contact the Route 66 Association of Missouri member listed with each meeting. PLAN TO ATTEND! INVITE GUESTS!

For the complete schedule, locations, and contact information, click here.