Erie Viaduct Fundraiser June 14 at LaBellas

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janice cole announces erie viaduct fundraiser 

Stop by LaBella’s Restaurant, 802 West 18th Street, Erie PA on Thursday, June 14, 2018 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM to support ErieCPR's efforts to save the Erie Viaduct. Optional registration on Facebook. $10 (or more) donation requested to the ErieCPR fiscal sponsor, the 501c3, Winds of Change. 

Wine, soft drinks and appetizers will be provided, and, items from LaBella’s menu will be available for purchase. Musical guests include St. Stephen and Julie VonVolkenburg. In addition, Cee Williams and other poets will take the mike. The event will feature the world premier of Ron Blevins’ 1-minute animation based on drawings by Hey Beast illustrator, Jeff Brunner that Blevins set to music written and performed by Julie VonVolkenberg.

In addition to the Erie Chapter of the NAACP, the African-American Concerned Clergy of Erie have joined ErieCPR’s call for a demolition delay and immediate Public Hearing.Contrary to misinformation issued from City Hall, there has never been a Public Hearing, the money is available to repair the bridge, and the maintenance cost would be obtained by a non-profit organization under a P3 agreement with the City similar to the one currently used for Frontier Park (L.E.A.F.). 

Adam Trott has noted that that the Viaduct’s damaged concrete and rebar aren't significant structural issues, but are rather similar to an “unsightly surface rash” that is easily repaired. His $1.35M proposal to stop the Viaduct’s deterioration includes: repairing the long-neglected and clogged storm drainage system; removing loose concrete and adding a protective seal to the scarred concrete; filling pot-holes on the deck and replacing joints between the decks.

Black Leaders / ErieCPR members Address Viaduct Issue on WQLN

Marcus Atkinson, NEXT interviewer at WQLN

Marcus Atkinson, NEXT interviewer at WQLN

Architect Adam Trott, President, ErieCPR

Architect Adam Trott, President, ErieCPR

Community Leader, Michael Keys, Spokesperson, ErieCPR

Community Leader, Michael Keys, Spokesperson, ErieCPR

Artist Abdullah "Bigg Wash" Washington.

Artist Abdullah "Bigg Wash" Washington.

Rev. Dr. Charles Mock of Community Baptist.

Rev. Dr. Charles Mock of Community Baptist.

Listen to one-hour of WQLN interviews about the Viaduct (aired on May 27) 2018 featuring a March conversation (with Community Leader Micheal Keys, Architect Adam Trott and Artist Abdullah "Bigg Wash" Washington) followed by a May interview with Rev. Dr. Mock of Community Baptist Church.

Adam Trott explained that the 2009 decision to demolish the Viaduct reflected the Administration's lack of awareness of "the value of the bridge to that area of the City" for "bike and pedestrian use," for it's "heritage value" and for the Viaduct's key role in addressing the "severe lack of connectivity on that side of the city." Trott says "Don't take anything away." He says that saving the Viaduct can "reverse the trend of disinvestment on the Eastside... and change the narrative" of Erie. Trott says that if the City doesn't support a Public Hearing about the Viaduct, "then everything the Mayor campaigned on is hypocritical." 

Micheal Keys says demolition of the Viaduct "will do harm for that side of the City" and commented that Administration's "lack of responsiveness surprised me." Keys says "the bridge is symbolic of how we've been shut out of a lot of things" and believes that "if we are going to rebuild city - everyone should be at the table" and have "a voice in their own neighborhood."

 

 

 

Abdullah "Big Wash" Washington - reminded listeners that in the Viaduct issue, "the most vunerable elements are children," Washington has "real, practical concerns about where the city is going." Washington says "we have a Mayor who says he wants to listen, but I'm very disturbed when (an) opportunity for a public discussion is shut down."

After interviewer Marcus Atkinson quoted Erie Times-News columnist Pat Howard and,  asked Rev. Dr. Mock if Viaduct supporters are overplaying race card. Mock responded "I am dismayed when I hear people" say we are "overplaying the race card, . . . we are underplaying." The "city was responsible to make sure it (Viaduct) didn't deteriorate" and it is an "injustice to ask a private group" to take sole responsibility for this public asset.

African-American Concerned Clergy Agree with Erie NAACP that Viaduct Public Hearing is Needed ASAP

Erie Times-News, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Page B-7, ANOTHER VIEW Guest Viewpoint by Rev. Lamont Higgenbottom.

Erie Times-News, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Page B-7, ANOTHER VIEW Guest Viewpoint by Rev. Lamont Higgenbottom.

VIADUCT HAS "PEDESTRIAN POSSIBLITIES"!

Rev. Lamont Higgenbottom, President of the the African-American Concerned Clergy, joined the President of the Erie Chapter of the NAACP, six national urban design experts, the lead consultant of the Erie Refocused Comprehensive Plan, many local leaders, stakeholders and residents in calling for an immediate Public Hearing about the Viaduct. An on-the-record Hearing is necessary to transparently and truthfully consider the condition, costs to repair, civil rights, environmental justice, health, safety and economic development issues surrounding the fate of the embattled McBride Viaduct. Read Higgenbottom's entire statement in today's Erie Times-News.