By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The Normal Town Council has voted 6-1 to purchase and help restore a historic service station on Route 66.

Officials believe the station at 305 Pine Street can become a major tourist attraction for Route 66 travelers. The town is buying the station for $228,550 from Terri Ryburn, who has been working to restore the property for the past 10 years. The town expects to spend roughly $200,000 making renovations and another $148,000 rebuilding the parking lot.

Councilwoman Cheryl Gaines said the purchase “makes sense.”

“We have to make certain that that vision is going to go forward,” she said.

Councilman Scott Preston was the lone person on the council to vote “no.”

“I love the idea of it. I love the value that it would bring to the community, to Route 66, to Normal,” said Preston. “But I think there are ways that we can support that and achieve our end goal without personally taking ownership of this private venture.”

Ryburn is being given a license to open and maintain a gift shop at the station. She will also be overseeing minor maintenance and repairs at the site.

Also on Monday, the council approved a $5.8 million construction contract for the future fire department headquarters on Main Street.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].