Museum of Route 66 Lincoln Daily News June/July 2026 Page 11 McCoy said that yes there is a definite plan for the building, but that he would refrain from spelling it out pending press releases from the mayor and further information gleaned in city council meetings. In spite of this, he admitted that there are those who have a reasonable idea of what may lie ahead for the structure. He said that he would say that it was a multifaceted project that would benefit the community through tourism as well as economic development. McCoy said that though some of these things may seem rushed, he had been talking with Welch for at least the last couple of years about how to grow tourism in Lincoln. With the anniversary of Route 66 just months away, McCoy said that Lincoln has almost missed the boat in being prepared for the 100th anniversary year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still make a splash in 2026. He described 2026 as the “debut” of Route 66 tourism in Lincoln and said while the town may not be completely ready, it will make its mark and earn a spot on the “must stop” map for the one million or more tourists who travel the Mother Road next year. He added that bringing Route 66 into the heart of the city is not just about getting people to drive through the town take a look and move on, it is about giving them enough to do and see in town that they will stay. This includes promoting downtown businesses and encouraging the spending of dollars in those businesses, local eateries and local motels. He said that the bottom line is that tourism is about money. The ultimate goal is to bring tourist dollars into the community for the good of our local businesses.
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