The Historic Preservation Commission authorized staff to explore a new, distinctive design for future Route 66 historic markers and reconfirmed the commission’s partnership with Leader Publications on a Route 66 centennial magazine and a slate of 2026 events.

Staff explained a delay in the marker program resulted from uncertainty about the copyright ownership of the current historic-community marker design. To avoid potential future restrictions, staff proposed developing a slightly different design for new landmark-style Route 66 markers that the city would document as its own design and therefore be able to have fabricated by multiple vendors. The commission voted to give staff permission to proceed with further exploration of an internally owned design and to solicit design proposals; the motion passed without recorded opposition.

Staff also summarized progress on the Route 66 centennial magazine produced in partnership with Leader Publications and listed planned 2026 events that the commission hopes to promote through the magazine, including a Route 66 cruise, a drive‑in movie, concerts, a scavenger hunt and an educational presentation. Leader Publications will distribute the magazine regionally and to visitor centers, hotels and other outlets along the route; staff asked the commission to finalize event dates so they can be included in the publication.

Why it matters: the Route 66 centennial is a promotional opportunity for Wildwood’s historic corridor; owning a marker design would let the city seek competitive fabrication bids and reduce legal risk if copyright ownership of the current design is uncertain.

Next steps: staff said they will bring back draft marker design options to the commission for review and will provide a list of finalized 2026 event dates to Leader Publications for the magazine’s editorial schedule. No marker fabrications or purchases were approved at the meeting.