Planning Commissioners Journal

Want to buy a bridge? And I'm not talking about the Brooklyn Bridge!

I was thumbing through my local paper's classfied ads a few days ago, and came across something that caught my eye: Historic Bridge Available.

That's right. Our Agency of Transportation here in Vermont (known as "VTrans") has a bridge it wants to sell you. Actually, they're not even selling it -- they'll give it to you free!

It's a "historically significant" 122 foot-long metal truss bridge across the White River in Stockbridge, Vermont (see photos below). Unfortunately, it needs to be replaced.

About ten years ago, VTrans completed a comprehensive study of which of Vermont's many historic bridges were worth preserving. It looked at factors such as the bridge's structural condition, hydraulics, traffic loads, historic significance, and cost.

Some bridges have been put to new use, often as bike and pedestrian facilties. Others remain in place for vehicular use. But still others -- such as Bridge No. 130 -- fall into the "documentation and demolition" category.

According to Catherine Quinn, a historic preservation specialist with VTrans, "we are required to make historic bridges that are slated for demolition available for reuse to a responsible entity, hence the advertisement in the newspaper for Bridge No. 130 in Stockbridge."

Like an Anchor Store for Downtown

Just came across this story about plans for a downtown theater re-opening in Carbondale, Illinois (from the November 14 issue of The Daily Egyptian newspaper):

I was especially struck by the Councilman's remark (quoted above) that "the theatre would be like an anchor store for downtown Carbondale."

Reading this reminded me of what I heard during my cross-country trip this Summer: that theaters and arts centers are vital components of strong downtowns and main streets.

See my post "Hulda's Theatre" on the remarkable theatre restoration completed in the small Indiana city of North Vernon, and  "Behind the Curtains," about the ambitious rennovation still underway in Emporia, Kansas.

Theater restoration projects don't just bring economic benefits to downtown -- in small towns and cities they can help build community through the cooperative efforts needed to accomplish the project. Restoring old theaters (which have often sat vacant) typically requires a major committment from dozens of local residents volunteering their time -- and from local businesses contributing equipment and services. In Emporia, for example, area businesses donated much of the heating, air conditioning, and plumbing-related equipment and services.

Note: if you've been involved in a theater restoration project in your community, let us know about it. Either email us, or post a comment below.

I'm excerpting from a portion of Carbondale Mayor Cole's remarks about the theater in the continuation of this post. At the bottom of the continuation of this post, you can also download a complimentary copy of an article I authored, "Preservation Takes Center Stage," from a special back issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal