CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SEVENTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-26-22 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Klarissa J. Peña, Renée Grout, Stephanie W. Telles
RESOLUTION
title
Establishing A Cruisers For Route 66 Program Along Central Avenue To Celebrate The Route 66 Centennial And Support Community Stewardship (Peña, Grout, Telles)
body
ESTABLISHING A CRUISERS FOR ROUTE 66 PROGRAM ALONG CENTRAL AVENUE TO CELEBRATE THE ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP.
WHEREAS, Route 66, known locally as Central Avenue, is a historic transportation corridor of national and international significance and a defining cultural, economic, and tourism asset for the City of Albuquerque; and
WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Route 66, creating a unique opportunity to celebrate, preserve, and enhance this iconic roadway; and
WHEREAS, Albuquerque is home to the longest continuous urban stretch of Route 66 in the United States and is the only City in the nation where Route 66 crosses itself; and
WHEREAS, Route 66 has long served as a cultural gathering place and corridor of expression for a wide range of communities whose traditions, creativity, and public presence contribute to Albuquerque’s identity and tourism economy; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque encourages community partnerships and volunteer engagement through programs such as the Solid Waste Department’s Adopt-A-Median program, administered in partnership with Keep Albuquerque Beautiful; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque’s Transit Department administers the Adopt-A-Stop program, which mobilizes community volunteers to maintain safe, clean, and welcoming transit stops throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a Cruisers for Route 66 program, modeled off the City’s Adopt-A-Median and Adopt-A-Stop programs, would support the Solid Waste Department’s Clean City Crews, the Parks and Recreation Department, Transit Department’s Operations Division, the Department of Municipal Development’s Street Maintenance Division, and private property owners along Central Avenue in maintaining portions of the public right-of-way along Central Avenue by inviting community organizations to help keep streetscapes clean and attractive; and
WHEREAS, for the purpose of this Resolution, “streetscape” includes medians, curbs, parkways between curbs and sidewalks, bus stops and stations, non-vehicular improvements located within the public right-of-way, and other public realm elements that contribute to the visual identity of Route 66, but does not include travel lanes, parking lanes, or private property; and
WHEREAS, establishing a Cruisers for Route 66 program will provide a structured, safe, and culturally-rooted vehicle for community participation that celebrates Albuquerque’s Route 66 heritage and positions the City as a national leader in honoring the Mother Road during the Centennial and beyond.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. Program Establishment. The City Administration shall develop the Cruisers for Route 66 Program (the “Program”) to encourage community stewardship, beautification, and cultural recognition along Central Avenue streetscape in celebration of the Route 66 Centennial. The Solid Waste Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Transit Department, Department of Municipal Development, Arts and Culture Department, and any other appropriate departments are authorized and directed to jointly develop, administer, and enforce program guidelines, application procedures, safety requirements, and maintenance standards for the Program.
For the purpose of this Resolution, “streetscape” includes medians, curbs, parkways between curbs and sidewalks, bus stops and stations, non-vehicular improvements located within the public right-of-way, and other public realm elements that contribute to the visual identity of Route 66, but does not include travel lanes, parking lanes, or private property.
SECTION 2. Program Framework. The Program shall:
(A) Ensure volunteers’ safety and welfare while participating in the Program.
(B) Be modeled off of and coordinated with the City’s existing Adopt-A Median and Adopt-A-Stop programs.
(C) Require eligible organizations to work with City staff to identify the safest and most appropriate streetscape segments along Central Avenue, including medians, bus stops, sidewalks, and other elements of the public right-of-way. Segments will be identified and adopted on a first come, first serve basis.
(D) Encourage participation from community organizations, civic groups, neighborhood associations, cultural organizations, and businesses that wish to contribute to the stewardship of the Route 66 corridor.
(E) Encourage participating organizations to serve as community stewards and ambassadors of the Route 66 corridor, particularly during Route 66 Centennial activities.
(F) Establish flexible adoption segments, recognizing that different streetscape elements may vary in size, location, and maintenance needs.
(G) Require participating organizations to complete appropriate safety training, volunteer agreements, and documentation consistent with existing City volunteer programs.
(H) Allow participating organizations to engage in activities including but not limited to:
(a) Litter removal,
(b) Streetscape beautification,
(c) Reporting infrastructure maintenance issues,
(d) Reporting graffiti, and
(e) Participation in coordinated cleanup events.
SECTION 3. Recognition and Signage. The City Administration shall develop recognition signage and branding elements for participating organizations that reflect the Route 66 Centennial identity, celebrate Albuquerque’s local culture, and maintain consistent design standards across the corridor.
SECTION 4. Interdepartmental Coordination. The participating departments shall coordinate to:
(A) Identify appropriate streetscape segments available for adoption along Central Avenue.
(B) Develop a shared map and inventory of adoptable medians, transit stops, and streetscape elements.
(C) Provide participating organizations with clear guidance materials, including safety protocols, reporting procedures, and maintenance expectations.
(D) Provide reasonable access to cleanup supplies and coordination support, including trash bag collection and coordination with City cleanup crews.
(E) Encourage participation in citywide cleanup events, including events associated with the Route 66 Centennial and national volunteer initiatives.
SECTION 5. Recognition Signage Funding. City Council Set-Aside funds will be the primary funding source used to fund recognition signage for clubs participating in the program. The location where clubs adopt their streetscape will determine which City Councilor’s Set-Aside funds will be used for each club’s sign. For clubs adopting locations that stretch across multiple Council Districts, the cost of funding recognition signage shall be shared among Councilors representing those Districts. Participating clubs will need to consult with their respective City Councilor to assess the availability of funding prior to getting their recognition signs funded.
SECTION 6. Pilot Period. The Program shall initially operate as a two-year pilot program, after which the City Administration shall evaluate the Program and provide recommendations to the City Council regarding program expansion and operational improvements.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Resolution is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the invalidity or unenforceability of that section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Resolution.