Tim McDonnell is a man on a mission, and that mission is to put Kingman on everyone's map, from here to Timbuktu.
McDonnell is the president of the Kingman Route 66 Association, whose primary purpose is, in McDonnell's words, "to promote all of Kingman, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally." The association was founded by local developer Scott Dunton in 1994, but failed to gain traction at the time. Over the years, Dunton continued to pay the necessary fees and maintained the association's 501(c)(3) non-profit status, waiting for the day he found a group of like-minded individuals ready and willing to take action.
That day came late last summer, shortly after a town hall meeting on impact fees where McDonnell, Dunton and several others revived the association and began planning in earnest. Since then, the organization has outlined four primary objectives it hopes to achieve in the coming months.
The first is to establish a new Web site promoting the city's proximity to other Arizona attractions, including Oatman, Peach Springs and the Grand Canyon. The Web site, dubbed "Destination 66," is being constructed with help from Cullen Linn of the local Web design firm Linn Logistics and will be designed to attract both businesses and hotels to the area, as well as to emphasize Kingman as a destination, rather than a place to stop on the way to somewhere else.
"Hotel occupancy rates for Kingman hotels are at the top of the charts, and there are lots of hotels that will build in Kingman because we've got the kinds of occupancy rates they want," McDonnell said. "But the average check-in time is eight at night, and the average check-out time is eight in the morning. We want to create a destination, give people a reason to stay a little while."
To do this, McDonnell said he hopes to use the Web site to reach out to other Route 66 associations around the world, getting them to place Kingman on their itineraries.
"We believe very strongly that we can create a destination site in Kingman by helping people realize that they can reach a dozen different destinations from Kingman," he said.
But the association hopes to give more reasons for staying in the city limits, as well. Over the last several months, McDonnell and company have been working closely with the Downtown Merchant's Association, the Route 66 Cruizers car club and the Kingman Chamber of Commerce to organize "Chillin' on Beale Street," a series of events designed to attract foot traffic to the downtown commercial district with games, live music, prize giveaways and other attractions.
"It starts on June 20, and runs on every third Saturday from now to October," McDonnell said. "Cameron Broadcasting has partnered with us, and they're going to advertise it on The Knack (107.1 FM) and Lucky 98 (97.9 FM)."
In order to further highlight Kingman's historic appeal, the association plans to hire a mural artist to paint scenes of Kingman's past around town, starting at the Old Trails Garage building at the corner of Third Street and Route 66, which once served as a Packard dealership decades earlier. The plan is to have the mural artist recreate the original scene Kingmanites would have once observed through the window of the dealership. Then, McDonnell said, comes the pièce de résistance.
"We have the original Packard sign that used to hang on that building, and we have full cooperation from the building owner to pull this thing off," he said. "We can put that whole thing together just like it was in the '40s - there'll be people from all around the world who will come to take pictures of the building, and take pictures of those murals and take pictures of that sign."
And that's just their first project. Ultimately, the association wants to paint another mural on the FastTrax building at 1301 Beale St. to mark its proximity to the road that once led to a Hualapai tribe internment camp at Fort Beale.
"What I would like to see is a beautiful mural painted on the side of that building commemorating the Hualapai Tribe," McDonnell said. He added that the association has secured the signs that once stood at the Hot Rod Café and the Imperial Hotel at the corner of Stockton Hill Road and Route 66, where a new Walgreens is currently being built. "We have those in storage and we plan to reinstall those at some point in the future," he said.
McDonnell said the association is continuing its search for new members, and has lowered its membership fees from $100 to $50 for anyone who signs up through the end of this year. "We're looking for people who are really committed to changing the face of Kingman, and who share a vision for what Kingman can be."
For more information on the Kingman Route 66 Association, call McDonnell at (928) 377-9684 or via e-mail at kingmanroute66association@gmail.com.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, June 12, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I think that the Fun Run is one of the greatest events that the downtown has going. Althought over the years it has grown bigger & bigger. I hear the locals & the out of towners every year say, why do i have to park my classic car on the side streets or in this field? I came all this way to park off the main street. I have to get here so early & miss everything else that is going on along the way just to park here.
That is lost $$$ for everyone, cause these people didnt have any time to shop, eat, or enjoy all the stuff along the way. Good question. Why cant we close Route 66 way up by 8th street (at the light)? Like when the hot rod tour came thought here a few years back. That way the side streets & the field can be used for visitor parking. Have a couple of tractors with benches run up & down the middle of the street like a trolley, so people wouldnt have to walk all day. You could either charge an all day pass or do it for free! That would open up the event so everyone is not on top of each other, the parking would be easier, the flow of traffic would be better & more vendor spots would be available.
Also, what is up with the train station these days. They were working on it really good for about a month & now nothing again. I heard they had some good ideas for the inside of it. That would be a great place to open some small little gift shops & coffee shop, ect... More money in sales taxes. Even the train cold stop in the day time. Wouldnt that be nice. I agree with the guy that was talking about the downtown areas in other towns. We have the history, route 66, & alot more. Why cant we all get on the same page. I like this city/small town & think it has great potential & could be even be better if everyone could get past all the name calling & back biting!
Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Helen
Tim,
Great job you are doing. Any promotion and energy toward bringing in more revenue is better than doing nothing. It is easy to criticize, but takes effort and commitment to actually do something to improve the area. I think I read where Robin Gordon is working with revitalizing Downtown and Carol Young would like to see a children's route 66 museum established to get the attention of the younger generations to Rt 66. I know our Mayor stands behind your ideas, he is supportive of economic development improvements. I think Tim, you should work with the chamber and Gordon, Young and the Mayor to get support.
Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Jim
Okay, we can all agree Kingman has more than its fair share of problems. However, instead of casting blame or bemoaning what we don't have isn't it more productive to look at what we do have and how to improve it.
Take a look at the skyline above downtown Kingman. Spend some time online and look at the growing popularity of Route 66. Take a moment to count the many world class attractions there are in this area and now dare to dream about the possibilities as Kingman sits dead center among them.
Tim and the folks behind this association are doing a great job in helping existing organizatiions pool their resources. They are also doing a great job of putting Kingman on the map in a positive manner. However, the overall success of their lofty goals remain with the people of Kingman.
One lesson learned in my forty plus years here in Kingman is that the town is going to change. The only question is in what way, for the better or ...
Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Mary Doherty
oh, BTW Tim...it's Kingman...the KNKK is at 96.7 and Lucky 98 is at 101.5.
Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Mary Doherty
Here, here Paul. the downtown mechants even has county and oldies stations in its ranks. you shouldve given the opportunity to them, a kingman based business. on the other hand, I know that my company, not kingman based, but has an office in downtown, will assist in every way possible as long as they are willing to help themselves.
Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Article comment by:
former arizonian
I found many things to do around Kingman when I lived there, sounds like Bob needs to move to Laughlin or Bullhead for a year to appreciate what Kingman does have...you sick of looking at trash .. pick it up. if you get your place to look good then thats all it matters .. take a walk in the Hualapais..people like Bob is why Kingman is at that stage..
Posted: Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Article comment by:
I Love Kingman!
Bob- so instead of doing anything about leaving or making things better you just sit and gripe. Maybe a rattlesnake round-up would be good - you can sit in the middle and gripe to them!
Posted: Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Paul
Mr. Dunton, I don't know you but have heard great things. Tim, I do know and have worked with you in the past and can't believe you're promoting this event in such a way that half of the audience you want will NEVER hear about it. The KNACK? Are you kidding me? OK, I can see the Lucky 98 connection with classic cars, but hip-hop listeners could care less about the "sock hop" generation. Even a country station would've given you more bang for the buck. Use your head guys -- promotion only works when your target audience hears it.
Posted: Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Article comment by:
BOB
To I love Kingman . I would love to leave this rattlesnake infested place. No one is buying in this depressed town. That is why there are so many empty buildings. DAH !! There you go, a rattlesnake round up may be just the event this town needs. Then that would create a destination for someone.
Posted: Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Article comment by:
I love Kingman!
Bob - Don't you think it's time to get out of Kingman? You seem to not like it - LEAVE!!!
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
D. Schroeder
A large portion of foreign tourists are very knowlegable about Route 66. The Chamber and others are actively promoting Kingman/Route 66 and other area destinations. Do we need more duplication? The signs that your group recently saved were actually from "The City Cafe" and the "Imperial Motel" By-the-way, what does one get for the membership fee?
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Peter
You have to turn downtown Kingman into what downtown Flagstaff or Downtown Prescott are or you are doomed to failure.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
ruffled feathers
Hey as in Howdy, Hello, Hola.
Kingman has hiking trails in the Hualapai Mountains. There are back roads to explore. We have 6 major parks, two of which have baseball fields in them and several smaller ones. We have camping and wildlife areas where you can just watch wildlife. We have a few taverns/pubs. We have a Bowling Alley and we have movies.
During the winter we have concerts at various schools and we have some in the Metcalf park during the summer. We have a great Golf Course with wildlife. We have the fairgrounds with the Mohave County Fair, Turquoise Circut Rodeo, Horse Racing and other events. We have an airport with car rental nearby. We have 4 museums that I can think of right off the top of my head. All of this within Kingman, Wow!!
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Steven Cardon
kingman is a nice little city and a good place to live kingman is on the move i steven cardon thanks mr. mcdonnell for promoteing are city love the u.s.a and go kingman and route 66
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
NO BOB, what i said was quit being part of the problem, quit whining, turn off your tv, go outside, OPEN YOUR EYES and do something. you may also try reading lessons.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Mike
All the out of work people and the people who do not want to work and all the rental and forclosed homes do tend to make Kingman look dismall. In my neighbor hood there are 27 homes either for rent or for sale that says alot. Also these renters do not care what their domisile looks like with broken down cars in the yards and weed growing every where Kingman needs alot of work before it can earn any respect.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Daryl
WATER PARK.,Turn downtown Kingman in to a old style shopping mall.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
BOB
Hey No Name.. Thanks for proving my point!! Kingman is not a destination and will not be. You just said ,go to VEGAS ,LAUGHLIN..Kingman has always been a gas and restroom stop for the railroad and the Route 66 Auto.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Bridget
Do I Have A plan For You-Do you have a serious problem with transplants? Not all transplants are out for themselves, could you ever think that maybe he/she wants to put some good in the area to boost up revenue to help the city grow prosperous.
What are you doing to boost up the revenue to help Kingman? Not much but knock someone who might help create jobs for the locals who really need much employment, unless you don't mind supporting welfare cases out of your tax dollars? Kingman really needs help just look around slums of areas,drug addicts,homeless, lack of employment, empty homes,building, alot of trash on the ground, ect... WoW that really brings alot of tourist and money for Kingman to see all that!!!!
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
hey bob, open your eyes and look around, if your neighborhood is trash you may want to clean it up. The rest of us are cleaning up where we can. including along 66. as far as things to do, the big malls are in vegas, the casinos are in laughlin. the rest of us can find things to do around here, away from the TV.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
ruffled feathers
Whose charts are the Occupancy rates so high on? Motel Occupancy is actually down. I own one, I should know. Are you counting occupancy that is filled by locals that can't afford a first and last payments of appartment and home rentals? There is a lot of that happening in town. Until every hotel/ motel is full you don't need more motels. We have so many now that the rates are lower here than other places. The Marriott still has it's OPEN NOW sign meaning their occupancy level is still low.
Way to anger the local business owners.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
BOB
This will last for 2 weeks .. It is Kingman for Gods Sake.!! What are you going to do here ??? Drive around and look at all the empty buildings and trash. Some destination !! Get Real.
Posted: Monday, June 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Do I Have A Plan For You !
Sounds like another transplant saying, "What a lovely little town - Now . . . how can we change it?"
