http://www.wcax.com/story/15286637/how-springfield-is-sprucing-up-its-downtown
Springfield, Vermont - August 17, 2011
Crowds gathered Wednesday in Springfield to witness a piece of history being taken away-- the footbridge connecting the Fellow Gear Shaper Company; a staple in this town since the late 1800s.
"I'd like to see when they raise the old bridge and I would like to make a video of it," Don Whitney said.
Whitney was a Fellows employee for 46 years at the heyday of this industrial town. But for over three decades this factory has sat dormant.
"I think it is great that they are at least restoring these buildings and making some use of them rather than just letting them fall down. Which they would eventually," Whitney said.
Town officials hope a $13 million redevelopment project will bring the building back to life.
"The only signed tenant so far is the Springfield Community Health Center," said Bob Flint of the Springfield Regional Development Corp. "There are discussions with other retail tenants. Hopefully at least one dining establishment as well as other office use and other mixed-use concepts."
And it's just one of three old factories which have long been the heart of this community that officials say need serious repair.
"In some ways this is dress rehearsal for what we still have to do with the Jones and Lamson and the Bryant Grinder Properties," Flint said. "They are all large, they are all contaminated, they all have neglect."
The old bridge proved stubborn for crews. They worked all of Wednesday to remove it; almost a sign that sometimes change does not come easy.
"It's nice to see the town progressing," said Ronald Griffin of Springfield. "There are a lot of changes going on in town. They are updating the bridges downtown, and with the new downtown coming up, after the fire last year. Everything rebuilding is nice to see."
By deadline Wednesday, crews were still unable to remove the bridge from its resting spot. But officials say when it finally does happen; it will be one more step towards the overall revitalization of this entire town.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
All the kings horses and all the Kings men
ReplyDeleteif they couldn't take it down together and with a crane?
Maybe it didn't need to be replaced.
I doubt anything new will be better made.
You Old Timers always think it was made better back in the day! Get over it already!! It is a rusty old bridge, that would cost more to repair then replace!
ReplyDeleteA good bridge is a good bridge, I doubt anonymous is even an old timer. The bridge is obviously not going anywhere without a BIGGER crane, That is a good bridge, maybe rusty. That's the problem here, residents of Springfield are tricked into believing if it doesn't "look" good - then it can not be strong and sturdy and must be torn down and fixed by paying an entity inside the good ole' boy network. Keeping all the stolen money for themselves once again. The opposite is true... Springfield's old buildings are strong and sturdy. They do not need to be torn down and replaced by anything more modern. This stubborn bridge proves that once again.
ReplyDeleteSo true so true!!!
ReplyDeletestop tricking my neighbors
or I will start the revolution
It is time for those in question to "move on" and not be "on the move"
You're talking like this bridge being stubborn is like some old friend. It is steel - it is structurally weak and unsound - and would collapse with daily weight placed on it. They are trying to remove it as one piece. Just because it is hard to move from either side of the bridge doesn't mean the MIDDLE of it is strong. So just keep getting your rocks off thinking you know more than anyone else if that is what gets you through the day. Head down to McDonalds and grab a cup of coffee and bitch about things with the boys. Do it again the next day....repeat....repeat....repeat.
ReplyDeleteFunny - made of steel and it is structurally weak and unsound? That's why they are paying top dollar for steel these days. Who are these boys at McDonalds? People who think steel bridges are sound and can handle weight don't drink or cook with springfield tap water. The bridge may look bad and it may look better with a new bridge - okay maybe. But, let's be honest, please.
ReplyDelete@ anon above
ReplyDeleteI can see your making a point about some funny stuff here.
But what is wrong with the Springfield Tap Water?
I drink it, should I stop?
thank you for your any answers