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| Click on the image to get a PDF copy of the 16-page strategic plan. |
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| Strategic
Plan
In 2003
Schell Memorial Bridge was named by PreservatiON Mass as one of the ten
most endangered historical landmarks in Massachusetts. Galvanized by
this honor, in 2004 Friends of Schell Bridge incorporated as a
non-profit organization to generate interest in
saving the bridge and rehabilitating it for pedestrian and bicycle paths. Friends of
Schell Bridge (FSB) contacted the Picker Engineering Program at Smith College for an independent
assessment of the condition of the bridge. A senior student design team,
working with two professional structural engineers from New York City,
evaluated and tested components of the bridge. Their detailed report in
2005 emphasized that the bridge structure, while some components needed
to be replaced, was structurally sound and a good candidate for
rehabilitation.
In 2006, FSB spent significant energy in
building community support. A petition circulated gathered 1400
supporters, including 700 in the small town of Northfield. In 2007, FSB
successfully rallied voters to support nominating Schell Bridge, eligible since 1982, for
the National Register of Historic Places.
Following an informational meeting with the
Massachusetts Highway Department in September 2006, FSB decided to
develop a strategic plan to save the bridge as an historic treasure by
highlighting the recreational, economic, cultural, and environmental values
Schell Bridge offer for the twenty-first century. FSB has contacted
Connecticut River conservation groups and has participated in meetings
in the region to share information and to enlist assistance and support.
The strategic plan represents an effort to share this vision with
Northfield citizens, town officials, regional organizations, state and
federal elected representatives, and national organizations who might
want to become involved.
Click on the image to get a 2 meg PDF file that
you can view and print, or request a high-quality printed version at info@schellbridge.org.
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