What better timing than the wildly popular Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, September 13th, 2014 for drawing widespread and renewed attention to the ongoing plight of downtown's dilapidated historic railroad trestle?
By restoring the trestle to its former glory, festivals and events including the River Craft Beer Festival would have double the space for year-round waterfront celebrations welcoming Petalumans and tourists alike.
A symbol of the city's unique character, the tottering trestle was embraced by a Petaluma-centric 'This Place Matters Campaign', earlier this year.
Bolstered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (a high profile, dynamic, privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save America's historic places), Petaluma's grass roots "This Place Matters Campaign" plans to revisit its vibrant February show of support along the city's riverfront during the craft beer festival.
"Anyone who would like to see this historical railroad jewel saved is welcome to join our next This Place Matters Campaign meet-up, starting at the Living History Railway Museum, 110 Baylis Street, Petaluma, on Saturday, September 13th at 1 pm," said campaign coordinator, Managing Director of the Petaluma Trolley Living History Museum, Christopher Stevich.
Progress in grant fundraising has been stuck in the mud following an initial half a million dollars of Coastal Conservancy grant money designated to kick-start a campaign to salvage the trestle, back in 2010. Though the trestle is surprisingly sound except for the (chainlink fenced-off) deck and sections of pilings in tidal waters, the City of Petaluma estimates the cost of fixing this major landmark at around $5 million.
It appears to be up to the people, now, to make something, anything, for that matter, happen to save the trestle before it collapses to a watery grave.
"This Place Matters" participants believe the project is salvageable at a considerably lower cost. "We are looking for civil engineers who have solutions that do not triple the cost of an originally estimated $1.5 million," said Stevich.
Sampling the best of local brews this Saturday? Raise a cheer for large, red and white "This Place Matters" banners regaling the riverfront on Saturday afternoon. For more info call 707 778 7878.
Comments