The Tulsa Route 66 Commission has not given up on an abandoned motel they’ve eyed for redevelopment for years despite a fire there last week.
The detached office of the Brookshire Motel at 11th Street and Garnett Road went up in flames last Wednesday afternoon. While the interior is destroyed, the walls are still standing and the roof is largely intact. Tulsa Route 66 Commission member Amanda DeCort said a state preservationist will evaluate it soon with the goal of having the Brookshire designated a National Historic Place.
"It’s a little more of a long shot now, but it’s not outside of the realm of possibility," DeCort said.
That designation could make available federal and state tax credits to offset up to 40 percent of rehabilitation costs. There’s no set formula for the designation.
"If something is more new than it is old, it’s probably not going to make the cut, but being that this is [a] sandstone building on the main office and that the cabins weren’t really impacted by the fire, neon sign’s still there, I’m hoping it still has a chance," DeCort said.
City Councilor Connie Dodson said the Brookshire’s owner is open to redeveloping it, but it may come back as something other than a motel.
"It may come back with some different possibilities, maybe individual cabins and some retail spaces and some RV spots and something that will fully utilize the potential that’s there," Dodson said.
The commission is hopeful redeveloping the Brookshire Motel will spark other Route 66 projects in the 11th and Garnett corridor.
Fire officials believe last week's fire was intended to keep squatters warm but got out of hand. The City of Tulsa has threatened to demolish the motel if certain repairs aren't made.
