The Demand for more Neon - The Beginning Part II - ALBUQUERQUE

[Erik Sine]

Bigger, brighter neon signs proposed on Route 66

 

 

Route 66

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The neon lights on Route 66 could be getting bigger and brighter, with a new plan which is on the desk of Albuquerque’s mayor that he reportedly plans to sign Wednesday.

Signs like this one light up parts of the historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, the majority of city councilors and the mayor agree, the bigger the better.

The proposal was approved by the council on a seven to one vote last week. It allows businesses along Central Avenue to increase the size of their neon signs.

That means businesses with free-standing neon signs could increase those signs by as much as 50 percent larger than what's currently allowed.

Building mounted sign can be increased by twenty five percent.

Now all the signs must have their designs approved and they must meet certain standards.

Another incentive for the businesses to upgrade -

Is the city will waive the one-time permit fees which range from $75 to $150.

Businesses we spoke with say it's not only good to bring in more customers, but the overall look of Route 66 itself

”Whenever you think about historic 66 Nob Hill is one of the more historic modern locations in Albuquerque you always think giant neon signs and old 60s cars cruising down the street so it's really cool that the current administration is going to try and bring back some of that classic landmark features to this neighborhood,” Max MacLennan said.

“It’ll be so much signs, it'll be like a Christmas tree that's it you know, the bigger the better i suppose,” Marty Keeler said.

Other businesses we spoke with, like Frontier Restaurant who do not currently have a neon sign, say if signed this new proposal would likely prompt them to get a neon sign.

City Councilor Isaac Benton was opposed to the new neon sign rules and says he's concerned the new signs could be over the top.

[Snoochie]

Fantastic news for neon craftsmen.

Hopefully more business for the local sign industry.

And what is better than vintage Americana? Certainly not new age China. After all, we are talking about Albuquerque and not Beijing where it seems LED crap all comes from. But the so called American LED manufacturers all build their products in China under strict guidelines. Freely translated, a 16 year old plant manager gives directives to a 14 year old line foreman who then keeps an eye on those pesky 12 year old assemblers. No finer example of quality control and strict guidelines.............

Best

[Sign Shack Hfx]

Fantastic news for neon craftsmen.

Hopefully more business for the local sign industry.

And what is better than vintage Americana? Certainly not new age China. After all, we are talking about Albuquerque and not Beijing where it seems LED crap all comes from. But the so called American LED manufacturers all build their products in China under strict guidelines. Freely translated, a 16 year old plant manager gives directives to a 14 year old line foreman who then keeps an eye on those pesky 12 year old assemblers. No finer example of quality control and strict guidelines.............

Best

And don't forget the quality control staff sitting in their strollers.