Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque have developed a Route 66 Visitors Center, 12200 Central Ave. SW, just east of Nine Mile Hill and west of the city limits, near Atrisco Vista and I-40.

The 21,000-square-foot multipurpose center includes a banquet/event hall, outdoor amphitheater, Route 66 museum, taproom, gift shop and administrative offices. The outdoor areas, including the parking lot, will be utilized for a makeshift drive-in theater, car shows and other events. The public gets to see it in a one-day event Friday.

Right now, it’s merely a shell, but after it’s curated with lowriders, items from the Unser family collection and historic items, it’ll be a great showplace. The opening is expected to be in January.

Officials said the center will be a catalyst for tourism-related business along West Central. It will help stimulate private and public investment, create jobs and bring greater prosperity to the West Side, and all of Albuquerque.