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Council reviews Route 66 museum sign, giant penny and City Hall phone booth repairs; grant funding covers estimates
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Summary
Scott McCoy presented a conceptual 16-foot Route 66 sign ($24,500) and a 10–12 foot freestanding giant penny ($25,000), both to be covered by the Route 66 grant. Council also authorized inspection and cost estimates to repair the historic City Hall phone booth.
Scott McCoy presented concept designs for three Route 66–themed projects funded by an awarded Route 66 grant: a 16-foot sign for the Museum of Route 66 (estimated $24,500), a freestanding 'giant penny' sculpture (estimated $25,000) and repairs to the historic phone booth atop City Hall.
Sign concept: McCoy described the sign as a painted aluminum shield roughly 16 feet square with LED 'rope neon' lighting that can be computer-controlled for events. "It'll stick out, so that'll make it also a photo op," McCoy said, adding the package cost was included in the current grant application and that the historic preservation commission will review the proposal.
Giant penny and ADA questions: The penny concept is a 10–12 foot freestanding sculpture to be sited near the museum entrance; McCoy said a concrete base with 'Lincoln, Illinois' text was shown in the concept but might be contract-built rather than city-built. Councilors raised ADA-compliant ramping and parking impacts; staff said adjacent parking controlled by the city provides alternatives and that placement will be finalized as utility and access constraints are assessed.
Phone booth repairs: McCoy noted the iconic City Hall phone booth appears to have once been painted green and has some rotted lower panels. Councilors directed staff to solicit a local fabricator to inspect and estimate costs for repair and repainting and to consider subtle lighting while ensuring access and safety.
Next steps: Council placed the sign and penny items on the regular agenda and authorized McCoy to obtain inspection and cost estimates for the phone booth restoration.
