The downtown tourist information center soon will have a new traffic-stopping look thanks to a Route 66 theme being implemented in and on the building.

The center, 815 E. St. Louis St., will sport window graphics reflecting the heyday of Route 66 – the historic byway upon which the center is located – and scenes from Springfield attractions. The first of the graphics were installed June 19 on the southwest windows. The second set will be installed Tuesday on the south windows. More than 15 window panels are being covered in graphics that are about 5 feet tall.

The Route 66 Tourist Information Center is in the lobby of the Convention & Visitors Bureau office in the ground floor of the Jordan Valley Car Park. Plans also include remodeling the lobby with Route 66 décor and information.

The project is being done to make the building more visible to passersby and increase use of the center. It also will be an interesting stopping point for people touring Route 66. For those who may not be aware Springfield is the Birthplace of Route 66, it will make them aware of the iconic locations and structures that exist along the route.

Efforts to enhance the visitor experience and get people to spend more time in the city go hand-in-hand with the CVB’s mission of boosting the local economy by promoting travel and tourism to Springfield.

“The more people enjoy their visit, the more likely they are to visit again,” said Susan Wade, public relations manager for the CVB. “They also are more likely to tell their friends about Springfield and create a positive image about the city as a travel destination.”

The CVB operates three information centers. The center at 3315 E. Battlefield Road will be closed on Oct. 31 due to increased operating costs and declines in center usage. The third information center, staffed by volunteers, is at Springfield-Branson National Airport.