Does anyone know when it was built? The Preservation Trust of Wicomico, Inc. claims that it has been there “since the late-nineteenth century,” but the Public Works Department says that it’s “circa 1920’s and the site was used as a lumber yard that burned in 1899 according to others. Inquiring minds want to know both when it was built and when it ceased to be used by the City.
But a much more significant issue is whether the City should spend $135,000 or so to rehabilitate “an out of commission water tank” in order to placate the preservationists. In their letter of May 27, 2008 to John Pick they claim that it is “a distinctive feature of Salisbury’s skyline.” A fair guess is that less than 100 people per day even notice it and that at least half of them are the same persons each day.
Their letter postures its “historic importance” on age, which could be used as a reason not to replace many of the City’s crumbling sidewalks that are probably older than the standpipe. Dr. Creston Long, a trained historian, surely knows that simply being old does not make something “historic.”
The Preservation Trust of Wicomico, Inc. is probably composed mostly of upper middle class members, many of whom don’t live in the City (or reside in its more upscale neighborhoods) but want the City to provide all the funding. Spending public funds to preserve and beautify an obsolete structure won’t affect their lives, or will do so insignificantly.
But for many City residents it would less police protection and greater crime if about $90,000.00 of general revenue is used. And spending $47,200.00 of “Enterprise Fund Revenue” could mean higher sewer and water rates. That’s just the immediate effect of saving the standpipe from the dustbin of history.
10 comments:
Jim I:
Make a statement at your swearing-in by announcing that this waste of money has been deep-sixed.
During my research for the Fire Department Heritage Center I was able to track the standpipe to around 1899. On March 13, 1899 the Jackson's Mill burned and the city was alomost burned a third time. The mill ran down Mill St. from around Lemon Hill La. to the middle of where Rt. 50 sits today. The standpipe was erected using Sweedish steel and the contractor was F.A. Grier SR. and his brother Robert. The site was selected because of its elevation as the high point of the City. The plot of land was known as Firemans park where outdoor functions were held. I have a photograph of F.A. Grier's shop on the river in 1903 that clearly shows the standpipe in the background.
FYI:
The City of Easton has an exact copy of this tower in their town. Last I noticed it had a clean coat of paint on it.
Sand Box John
It's another ridiculous waste of taxpayers money.
Bryan:
Is that real "Sweedish steel" (from across the pond) and why is it "historic".
Doris Schoenbrenner was a the council work session on Monday, representing the John B. Parsons home. She said that the home was concerned about the condition of the standpipe, that it could collapse on the nearest building and crush what residents were in there. She said that Parsons would donate a substantial amount to demolish the structure.
One of the options discussed was dismantling the pipe and moving it to a new permanent location. When asked, Schoenbrenner said that the home would also fund that option.
Move it to Comegys front yard.
Hey, I'm old. Why don't they renovate me?
Thank you, Grannydragon! I'm almost old, too, and in need of renovation. It's already been said by the city that it's in no danger of falling down, and there's no hurry in deciding anything, so there's plenty of time to knock ideas around and do research.
As for me, well, I'm not gonna last as long as that tower, so you and I come first!
Cool, orsonwells. I'll meet you at the plastic surgeon's office as soon as we get the funding approved.
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