A program to encourage a neon-sign corridor along Route 66 in Tulsa launches April 1.
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission program has been vetted by the proper city departments, and $40,000 will be available to start.
"It’ll be up to a dollar-for-dollar match. Whoever is creating this sign, the applicant is going to have to have it professionally done, and they’ll be able to get reimbursed after the sign is completed and installed," said commission member Amanda DeCort.
Another $40,000 should kick in with the new fiscal year on July 1.
"And maybe we can find some other pots of money to add more funds to the program if it turns out to be a winner, which I think it will be," DeCort said.
The grants can be used for new signs or rehabbing existing ones. Signs must be within a neon overlay district in the city that covers both alignments of Route 66 and extensions at some intersections, except for inside the Inner Dispersal Loop.
"The goal is really to have bigger, better, more engaging, more eye-catching, more fun neon signs all up and down Route 66. And other cities are going to be jealous of our neon signs," DeCort said.
The commission voted in November to increase funding for the neon sign grants from $25,000 to $40,000.
The City of Tulsa will launch a website in the coming weeks with details on requirements and the application process.
