ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Construction on the Route 66 Visitor Center wrapped up in September 2022 with the promise of a museum, gift shop, taproom, and other tourist draws. But, two years after its completion, why hasn't the event space opened? City leaders gave a tour of the event space Thursday and revealed when they finally plan to open. Story continues below Crime: Trial continues for man accused of killing ex-girlfriend ABQ News: Black mold found at BernCo Animal Care Services Trending: Sandia National Laboratories set to open 25-year-old time capsule "I know people are excited. I know some people are maybe even frustrated because they want this place to be open and operating today, or last week," said Dr. Shelle Sanchez, Director of Arts and Culture for the city. The Route 66 Visitor Center is something people have been talking about for a very long time: "The vision for this Visitor's Center has been in the books since probably previous to the year 2000. For some people in the community, most in particular the southwest area of Albuquerque, it's been a 30-year wait," said Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Peña in February. The city and county hosted a ribbon cutting more than two years ago, promising a Route 66 Museum, gift show, taproom, amphitheater, and banquet hall; however, two years later, the community is still waiting for access to those amenities. "Building a vibrant cultural institution requires some pretty long work. And we've had kind of a short runway," Sanchez said. Earlier this year, the visitor center switched hands when the county handed it over to the city. At the time, the city said they were better equipped to get it up and running: "The city knows how to operate a visitor's center...I think they're more equipped and better poised to be able to just ensure that it becomes what the community has envisioned it to be so many years ago," Peña said in February. So, what's been done since the city took over six months ago? They've spent just under $400,000 getting the space up to par. "Our team has focused on essential repairs, upgrades, and overdue maintenance to ensure the facility is safe, functional, and prepared for public use," said Diego Lucero, deputy director of Arts and Culture. This includes things like HVAC, kitchen, and elevator repairs. The city said it's working toward opening the center for events and the public sometime in the middle of 2025. "We've gotta have amazing things happening on the inside as well and that's what our focus is and we're very confident we can pull that off in the next six to nine months," Sanchez said. To design and develop the inside as well as get exhibits, the city says it plans to invest at least another half a million dollars. The building itself cost 14 million dollars to build.