Engineer St. Bridge, a question,,,,,,,,, lets do it ourselves.

Date: Sep 15, 2007

Engineer St. Bridge, a question,,,,,,,,, lets do it ourselves.

Date: Sep 15, 2007

This is an interesting idea. Maybe you could bring it before the board at the next Tourism meeting. I love this old bridge, but it is looking pretty sad these days. I remember someone quoted in the paper about turning it into a pedestrian bridge. This would be a wonderful and useful addition to the creekwalk, and increase foot traffic tremendously. Maybe it could be a joint project for the City, Tourism and the Chamber. I was in Barbourville today and you can tell they have used their Main Street Program funds well. It looked so nice downtown, and there were hardly any empty storefronts. It made me sad because we have such a lovely community here, and it's alot like that bridge, in serious need of some TLC.

Suzie Razmus

Date: Sep 16, 2007

As soon as Ms. Meyers is certified, I think this downtown thing till take off like a rocket. She's still in the early planning stages.

This bridge would be an excellent project, for pedistrian traffic.

I wonder if you could use volunteers to refurbish it?

Yes, this would be an excellent project for a multiple board project. It could be an event that would help bring all of us together and help make the community realize it's potential.

Date: Sep 16, 2007

Maybe you could bring this up Suzie. You have the ability to bring this up and have it considered more than any person I know.

Date: Sep 16, 2007

I'll do it if no one else does. I'll not bring it up for a month or so because I need to take a breath and regroup after last month's meeting. I want to give this idea the best possible chance of succeeding. If someone, either the original poster or someone else, wants to come and present it before I do, know I'll be there for encouragement. It's an exciting idea for sure!

Suzie Razmus

Date: Sep 17, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

I know we've been turned down numerous times for projects for this bridge, but could we make it a local, city based project? Take it on ourselves. Could we use more of the jail inmates to work on this?

WE have an engineer as a city manager, and I think if we put the call out for volunteers, we would get plenty. You'll be amazed how people will pitch in when you need it.

This could replace the train issue for the Downtown Committee. Paint the bridge red, and put a "Welcome to Corbin" sign across the top as you come into town.

Danny Wallen has inspired many with his refurbishing of the train caboose, and this would fit right in with it.

Any comments.

PAINT IT RED ????
Put it back orginal!!!

Date: Sep 17, 2007

I would love to hear from Steve McBurney on this. He is a very talented and creative individual. He redecorated the Community Room in the old Depot, and it looks fantastic.

Date: Sep 18, 2007

Does anyone know if they ever obtained any kind of refurbishing bids on the bridge, just for pedistrian traffic. I remember when they requested funds to have it hired out, and it was a hefty price if I remember.

This would be a great project to start on our own some how.

Sandblast the bridge, prime it, replace any needed steel and cable of course, make it safe. Replace the floor. I know Bill Ed still has the info on it somewhere.

It would be a real eyecatcher for entering corbin.

wkugirl · Senior Member

This thread brings up good ideas. And the thought of having Suzy Razmus' ideas and leadership teaming with Steve McBurney's unbelievable talent is a win-win for the entire community, on any project, in my opinion. That is what we desperately need around here!!! Keep up the good work Suzy!!

Date: Sep 19, 2007

Thanks, WKUgirl. Also, I bet Joe Shelton would be an advocate of this project because he was the one who helped spearhead the original plan to refurbish this bridge. I remember when he was first elected speaking eloquently about the bridge and his hopes for it. I know he must be disappointed to not be able to secure the funding through grants.

Suzie Razmus

poneal · Senior Member

I didn't realize there was already a topic on the Engineer Street Bridge. Sorry, I put my comments on the "walkin Corbin' site. Maybe some of you will read it. If you grew up in Corbin, whether you still live here are not, you are interested in the progress as well as the preservation of the town.
Every idea is a good idea, even if it can't be used........ This should be a community effort. Let everyone be proud of their contributions. Kinda like Habitat for Humanity. Look what they accomplish working together!

poneal · Senior Member

To add to my previous comment: Those of you who have the time, maybe you could consult other "Historic Preservation" committees in other cities who can give you pointers on how to go about getting help to restore the bridge. Before long, it is going to fall in and there won't even be a bridge to restore. Start your own historic preservation group in Corbin. That's how you get things done. Save the things worth saving! I believe buildings over 75 years old in some towns cannot be torn down. They can be renovated but the outside must retain their original look. (I'm not an expert, just repeating what I have heard.) I'd love to see a great big "historic plaque" on that bridge.
I was in a cottage near Cambridge, England, once and noticed a small outbuilding behind the house. The house itself was built about 1812. When I commented on the small building, the lady said they were not allowed to tear it down because of its age. They could change the interior but the outer part could only be repaired.
That's how you retain your history. Good Luck!

Date: Sep 19, 2007

It should be torn down and replaced with something newer. Its ugly and not worth repairing.

Suzie Razmus · Veteran Member

Boy, I could not disagree more.....

Date: Sep 20, 2007

I'll second that, a big mistake to tear it down.

I don't know what we can do, but we need to do something before it falls down.

Date: Sep 21, 2007

I'm 63 years old and I walk the creekwalk about four times a week. I think the bridge should be torn down and replaced. I didn't thinkit looked that good in its heyday.

Date: Sep 25, 2007

Drove by the bridge just a bit ago, and the city is down there doing something. Looks like they're inspecting it. There was a city truck, one of those high reach lifts with a bucket with people in it inspecting the top rails of the bridge, and another person, looked like Bill Ed.

You think they're actually gonna try to do something with it.

I hope so.

Date: Sep 26, 2007

Ya know, I'm going to tick some people off here, but, this post was started 11 days ago, and was supported by Suze Razmus.

I'm gonna say that this message board had a huge part of convincing them to do something with the bridge, as well as Suze possbily talking it up.

The city leaders would never admit it, but I truly think it pushed a button or two.

Maybe that's wishful thinking, but, why not.

Date: Sep 26, 2007

I completely disagree with the last poster. Give credit where credit is due here now . Gov Fletcher must have painted that bridge or have convinced the commission to do something before the election.

It's time for another check presentation and photo Opportunity.
Did Fletcher also get that skate board park??

Date: Sep 30, 2007

They're sure doing a great job on the bridge. They must have repaired the floor, as they had the lift sitting on the deck yesterday, and that lift is very heavy.

The paint looks green, which is ok, but I was hoping it would be red. But, no matter, it will look great when finished.

Good job Mayor and city commissioners.

Date: Sep 30, 2007

To the last poster. Didn't Gov. Fletcher get that bridge painted????
What about good job Ernie. Ya gotta get Fletcher the credit
and pictures in before election , don't ya?

Date: Sep 30, 2007

If you're being serious, last poster, I don't believe Ernie had anything to do with it. If you know otherwise, let us know.

If you're being sarcastic, then so be it.

It still looks good, and the city administration still had to get it done.

Good job city.

Date: Oct 1, 2007

I can with total confidence state that neither I nor Govenor Fletcher had anything to do with the repairs on the bridge, but I'm sure we are both thrilled with the results! P.S. Maybe next time we'll go for a dark red, but it still looks great!

Suzie Razmus

AJ · Senior Member

I drove by the bridge a earlier, and its great to see it being fixed. I remember as a kid going over that bridge, and it brought back some old memories. Is it going to be only a foot traffic bridge?

I will say this.... I have drove those type man lifts in places they probably shouldnt be, and I would have really been hesitant to put that one out there. From what I could see, they havent done anything to the decking yet. It may be safe, and I'm sure they wouldnt have pulled it out there without checking it, but I would have not wanted to be the first one to try it out! lol

I think they should have like a cermemonial first walk across when its finished... Maybe this could tie in to the "Walk Corbin" event or even the cycle event.

A.J. Carr

Date: Oct 2, 2007

I heard that city manager Bill Ed Cannon and commissioner Phil Gregory had included the bridge project in the 2007 city budget in the event the grant was turned down.

Date: Oct 2, 2007

Whether it was Bill Ed, Comm Gregory, Gov Fletcher or whoever, the city owes them a big THANKYOU for restoring the bridge.

Date: Oct 2, 2007

The same goes for the Old Hospital. It just goes to show what good can happen when the city government has a good relationship with Frankfort. That is why we need to see that Fletcher is reelected.