National Park Service: Route 66 Cost Share Preservation Grants

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is dedicated to preserving the diverse history of U.S. Highway 66. The program provides financial assistance in the form of competitive cost-share grants for the preservation of the most significant and representative buildings, structures, road segments, and cultural landscapes along the length of the Route 66 corridor, covering Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Cost-share grants are also available for planning, research, and educational initiatives related to the preservation of Route 66.

1. Construction Projects – Preservation, Restoration, and Rehabilitation: Preservation grants will fund the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of transportation-related historic properties on Route 66 are eligible project activities. Properties must have been in service and have had a strong and direct association with Route 66 during its 1926-1985 period of national significance; be on, or within view of a Route 66 road alignment; be in their original location; and retain historical and architectural integrity. Properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state register, or that have been determined eligible for a register, will receive priority consideration. Examples of eligible transportation-related property types include:

• Gas stations, automotive repair shops, and other automobile-related businesses
• Restaurants and cafes
• Motels, hotels, and campgrounds
• Curio shops, tourist trading posts, tourism-related attractions
• Original road pavement and associated road features (e.g., bridges, culverts)

Other potentially eligible property types, though of lesser priority are:

• Transportation-related properties that date to the 1926-1985 period of significance, but are not listed on or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
• Properties that did not directly serve the traveler, but were used by travelers or impacted the traveling experience such as theaters, public buildings, and landscape features. These properties must date to the 1926-1985 period of significance and have a well- documented and significant association with Route 66.

Additional eligible activities include to repair, rehabilitate, or restore: roofs; floors; foundations; structural elements; plumbing, electrical, HVAC; doors and windows; light fixtures; historic neon signs (in historic location); bridges; and historic road pavement.

2. Non-Construction Projects – Planning , Research, Interpretive, or Educational: Planning, research, interpretive or educational outreach projects are eligible project activities. Examples of eligible activities include:

• Project planning and architectural drawings for preservation, rehabilitation or restoration of eligible historic properties.
• Historic structure reports for properties listed on or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Other properties relating to the 1926-1985 period of significance may also be considered.
• Building, road, and/or archeological surveys by local, state, and tribal governments that identify and describe historic properties within an area or region along Route 66, and assess the significance, cultural value, condition and/or threats to the properties.
• Road alignment or pavement preservation plans prepared by local, state, and tribal governments.
• Local corridor preservation management plans prepared by local, state, and tribal governments.
• Planning and development of research, oral histories, interpretive or educational activities that directly advance the understanding and preservation of Route 66.

Amount: A total of $90,000 is available for grants ranging from $5,000-$30,000. A 1:1 match is required in non-federal funds or in-kind contributions.

Eligibility: Private individuals and business owners; nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; local government agencies; state government agencies; and tribal government agencies.

Link: https://ncptt.nps.gov/rt66/cost-share-grants/

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