Bonds for historic structure repairs?

[fsu813]

I read in the Riverside/Avondale/Murray Hill/Ortega edition of "The Resident" (local newspaper) how a historic cement gate / landmark in Ortega that's in disrepair was being fixed through the purchasing of bonds.

Why couldn't something similar be used to raise funds for other repairs of historic structures (ie, balustrades, bridges, etc)?

Anyone have any insight?

[sandyshoes]

...because it's Ortega, dahlin'. 

[strider]

Oh come on ... would you invest in bonds put out by this crowd? If so, I've got a few bridges to sell....

[Debbie Thompson]

Actually, it was bond sales that built the bridges and balustrades back in the 1930's. :-)  The Springfield Woman's Club (then named the Springfield Improvement Association) was the force behind getting the city to do that project with Klutho and Imeson. That said, a Hogan's Creek Improvement project is in the works on Klutho and Confederate Park. It was discussed at several recent SPAR meetings, including the one in October, where we received an first pass overview of the project based on feedback the community provided at previous meetings. I can't remember the date, but I attended one in September, I think, at the Karpeles where we broke into groups, walked various areas of the park, and came back with observations and ideas. I was impressed that many of our ideas were worked into the first pass design. Funding is being sought, including grants, the Corp of Engineers, etc. The SPAR office has more information on the project.

Edit...in browsing some of the older posts...see page 3 of this blog. There's more info on this under "COJ wants your input." There are probably other threads about it as well. I didn't look at everything.

[fsu813]

i'm very familar with the plans for the park system.

i was refering more specifically to items that they mnay not address, like preserving some of the original balustrades or rehabbing some bridges

[Debbie Thompson]

Oh, sorry, so I guess I had nothing to add. Outta here. 

[strider]

Hey, Debbie, I had forgotten about the orignial bonds to do the park so thanks! 

By the way, my earlier post was tongue and cheek as I am part of this crowd and Debbie's was actually informative.

The park was also what first came to my mind as it does seem as if the current plan does away with some of the great old features. 

[zoo]

like preserving some of the original balustrades or rehabbing some bridges

This is included in the scope of the project.

[fsu813]

at last SPAR meeting the presenters made it clear that they didn't see the point of preserving the orginal balustrades. they sited uniformity and the complications of rehab. they would instead replace them with new "old" balustrades. people joked about putting the old ones in thier yard.

[Debbie Thompson]

Yup, that was me. I joked about putting them in mine and Karla's yard. However, if you know me, you know I'm all about restoration, and that truly was a joke. That said, I walked the creek on September 14th and could see that some of the posts and balustrade sections were in bad shape with concrete broken away and the rebar exposed. Some could be reused, I would think, but we'd have to have replicas in some areas as well to complete the project. Certainly it would be possible to exactly replicate what is there.