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| 11 Most Endangered Announcement
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9759 |
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| Author: | Mike Piersa [ Mon May 24, 2004 11:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | 11 Most Endangered Announcement |
This morning at a press conference, aired on C-SPAN, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released this year's list of America's 11 most endangered historic places. Included on the list is the Bethlehem Steel plant in Bethlehem, PA. Being on the list is an important step in the preservation of the site as the list will draw national attention to the plant. Please use the link to see the National Trust's web page on Bethlehem Steel. Bethlehem Steel from the National Trust piersa@ptd.net |
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| Author: | David M. Wilkins [ Mon May 24, 2004 11:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Vermont? |
I can understand how individual sites are threatened, but to include the entire state of Vermont? Come on, every rural state is threatened by the types of development that the article talks about. I'm not a fan of Wal-Mart, but the problem isn't specific to Vermont. I'm David Wilkins and I approve of this message david.wilkins@bardstown.com |
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| Author: | Rob Davis [ Mon May 24, 2004 12:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Sprawl is an enemy of rail preservation |
I've been a member of the trust for over 20 years. The most endangered list is one of the reasons I continue to support the group. Yes, Vermont belongs on the list, if for no other reason than unlike other rural states, Vermont has been fighting back. Vermont is not like any other state in the Union. Of course, RYPN is about rail preservation. Friends have documented here in the past year how Vermont is turning from pro-rail, pro-preservation to something less progressive. They have also documented how Wal*Mart is part of a bid to demolish the Lehigh & New England shops in Pen Argyl, PA. They'v chronicled the fight save Beth Steel, too, and the anti-rail train force in Bethlehem. The sprawl that threatens Vermont is the same sprawl that eats rail history alive. Railyards, shops and other real estate don't stand a chance against the big box mega retailer. The consumer economy that breeds these retailers is also eating America's manufacturing base, which means we make less, ship less and use rail less. THus, the rail infrastructure becomes unused, and the rail re-use or preservation effort begins... only to be challenged by advocates of sprawl. I am glad Vermont is on the list. I am also glad Beth Steel is on it. If you have been to Hometown, PA in the past couple of years, you've seen the sad result of a manufachturing empire turned into retail megacenter -- the old steel mill site is occupied by row after row of big box stores. If we beleive in railroads, we need to fight for the cause on all fronts. Rob > I can understand how individual sites are > threatened, but to include the entire state > of Vermont? Come on, every rural state is > threatened by the types of development that > the article talks about. I'm not a fan of > Wal-Mart, but the problem isn't specific to > Vermont. > I'm David Wilkins and I approve of this > message trains@robertjohndavis.com |
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| Author: | Mike Piersa [ Mon May 24, 2004 12:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sprawl is an enemy of rail preservation |
> If you have been to Hometown, PA in the past > couple of years, you've seen the sad result > of a manufachturing empire turned into > retail megacenter -- the old steel mill site > is occupied by row after row of big box > stores. The grassroots effort Save Our Steel is actually using Homestead, PA as an example of what must not happen in Bethlehem. They even made a 16 minute video that details the problems at Homestead. It is titled "Homestead: From Mill to Mall." If anyone is interested in seeing it, you can contact Save Our Steel at "info@saveoursteel.org" Save Our Steel piersa@ptd.net |
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| Author: | Art Miller [ Mon May 24, 2004 3:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | A Policy Vacuum |
Elsewhere in this thread, one of my liked-minded colleagues worries about the potential loss of the L&NE shops in Penn Argyl. And I recall the dismay expressed when the old Western Maryland roundhouse complex bit the dust. Sadly, I think, the railroad preservation community's losses are far more numerous than its successes. Yes, we can always point to an occasional exception. Spencer and the Roanoke Passenger Station come to mind immediately. And, of course, there is TVRM and other many other successful museums. But think what might have been had there been a national policy initiative 10 or 20 years ago. Imagine what treasures might have avoided the wrecking ball. Unless the special interest groups composing railroad preservationists get their policy act together, future victories will be few and far between. Commercial pressures will encroach on the national treasures that are of special interest to railroad preservationists in the same way they are eating up Civil War sites. If you want a lesson in what effective public policy looks like in operation, on the ground, visit a local rail trail. Look at their signage, and how it acknowledges the favorable local, state, and federal policies and agencies that made the rail-trail a reality. Then hunt up a copy of the Rails-to-Trails magazine. Every story contains plenty of information about how the RTC and local groups came together to get something done. And whether we approve of all the Rail-Trail bunch is doing, we have got to admit they are very effective. amiller@rtms-movietrains.com |
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