The City of Tulsa has released the final renderings for the Route 66 Cry Baby Hill Roadside Attraction that was announced in August.

The final renderings are the result of the City and selected artist Ken Kelleher working alongside the community and neighbors to adjust the conceptual design based on their feedback.

Regarding the announcement, the City of Tulsa stated, “After several meetings with stakeholders, including Tulsa Tough representatives and Cry Baby Hill founders, we have chosen this final iteration of the Cry Baby Cry Roadside Attraction. While we are aware that projects like this rarely receive unanimous support, we, along with Ken Kelleher, believe we have arrived at a rendering capable of representing the story of Cry Baby Hill and Tulsa Tough to the thousands of Route 66 travelers from around the world who pass through Tulsa.

“As we continue to meet with our local artists, we will continue to work with the community on the City’s public arts process. We are grateful to everyone who has worked with the City to get us to this point, and we are eager to see Tulsa’s newest Roadside Attraction come to life.”

The Roadside Attraction is the first of three other investments that will be made at the site. In early October, the City announced Sharp Development was selected to develop a commercial development on Cry Baby Hill. The development, called Palmera Motor Court, features a retro-inspired 45-50 room hotel, with an approximately 4,000 square-foot restaurant, along with a pool and poolside bar. The development will be built to compliment and accommodate the Cry Baby Cry Roadside Attraction.

Later this year, the City is expected to release more details on the third portion of Route 66 improvements at the site, which includes an Interactive Experience where the City is seeking a technology consultant team to create a digital storytelling and extended reality product that allows its users to access an “outdoor museum” focused on Route 66 and the area.

For more information about Route 66 in Tulsa, including updates about the projects at Cry Baby Hill, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/Route66. 

Local Artist Applications Now Open

The City of Tulsa is accepting applications for Vision Arts 6 grants. Vision Arts 6 is a collaboration between the City Design Studio, Tulsa City Council, the Mayor’s Office, and the Tulsa Arts Commission to provide nominated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(3)-sponsored organizations funding for programs that support art projects that stimulate economic development throughout Tulsa.

Applying organizations may request up to $50,000 with no private match requirement.

In 2016, voters approved Vision Tulsa, which included approved funding for a program that supports arts projects which stimulate economic development throughout Tulsa. Through Vision Tulsa, $2,250,000 was allocated to the Tulsa Arts Commission to provide annual arts support over a 15-year cycle, with a total amount of $150,000 awarded every year to eligible organizations.

Tulsans have until December 22 to apply. More information can be found online.