ATLANTA - The Palms Grill Cafe, along Route 66 in Atlanta for many years, is coming back to life.

The restaurant's neon sign was the focus of an official lighting ceremony earlier this week that included remarks by Mike Taylor of the National Park Service and Mayor Bill Martin.

The replication of the 1938-era cafe is part of the Downey building project. Once complete, the building will house the town museum and café. The museum now is housed at the library.

The new sign was built by Prairie Signs of Atlanta. It looks exactly like the original, down to the colors and size, thanks to Bill Johnson of Atlanta, who used to work at the Palms, said library board Treasurer Bill Thomas.

The sign is 11-by-3-feet in size.

"This building is on the National Historic Register, which is a big plus, so this lighting of the sign signifies our progress, especially leading into our second phase, which fund-raising will start for soon," said Martin. "The restaurant operated in Atlanta longer than how old I am, so it is a significant part of history, and to Route 66 traffic."

The National Park Service helps pay for various Route 66 programs from Los Angeles to Chicago. Taylor said helping with the Downey Building project was a no-brainer.

"The Palms Grill Cafe was really important to Atlanta, and there is just great energy and wonderful folks surrounding this project," said Taylor. "The first time I went by to check on the project, I realized they really have their act together. It's a wonderful property and it just made sense to help with funding to see it through.

"I love to see projects like this across Route 66 for the road's benefit, along with the fact that it provides Atlanta with some great economic opportunities as well as employment possibilities," he added.

Martin said the library board is still deciding whether to keep the sign lit during the evening as renovations continue.

"The community is definitely behind this project. We've had wonderful financial support, and will likely even more now that they are seeing this progress," said Martin. "It'll be great; it just takes time and perseverance."