Former Mayor Speaks Out Against Railroad Bridge Project
Former Solon Mayor Bob Paulson told city council members they should rethink a proposal to spend nearly $1 million for aesthetic improvements to the SOM Center Road railroad bridge.
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As city officials consider a project to enhance the look of the railroad bridge in the center of town, a former city official wants them to throw the idea on the scrap heap.
Former Solon Mayor Bob Paulson spoke out against the idea during the Oct. 15 City Council meeting and urged council members to slow down and reconsider.
The project, estimated to cost about $950,000, received an unanimous thumbs up by the safety committee and will be considered by the finance committee during budget planning for next year.
Paulson said there are better ways to spend taxpayer money.
"How many constituents have ever come to you and said we really need to spend $1 million on that railroad bridge?" Paulson said.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Head down to the bottom of the article and take our poll!
The project is described by city officials as the final piece of the city's master plan in that part of the city, and would tie together with the look of the Solon Center of the Arts, Veterans Park and the fire station.
The plan is to reface the retaining walls beneath the bridge and create a sort-of false facade that would improve the look of the bridge but not interfere with the ability to maintain or even use the railroad.
The city then intends to install electronic message boards on the bridge to replace the banners that have traditionally been hung on the bridge to publicize local groups and events.
Paulson said he likes the banners and that they provide Solon some smal town charm.
"You really need to rethink that and I would hope you would have better ways to spend taxpayers' million than something like this, especially if you have other priorities," Paulson said.
Do you support the project? Or do you agree with Paulson? Take our poll and tell us!
Heinz Knall
12:39 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Huge expense not withstanding, an electronic sign/billboard just doesn't seem consistant or compatible with the City's desired "Western Reserve" theme for the area. I have to go along with the banner idea. Put 'em up when you need 'em. Take 'em down when you're done. If safety is an issue, install a railing.
Ron Hoffman
7:51 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Railing and banners as needed. Bob is right. Spend the money on streets, sidewalks, or simply save it for when times get hard, like the fiscal cliff in January, when the government essentially is bankrupt and has to drastically cut spending.
CK
10:33 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I thought this was officially in the "historical district" of Solon.......electronic signs surely don't fit in with that! And I find electronic signs to be 100% more distracting to me while driving than banners! I'm thinking this proposed electronic sign will cause many accidents!
Sammy Soprano
7:33 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
To be honest, I feel the signs 'junk up' the city. Sometimes crooked, sometimes outdated, etc. The bigger issue here is refacing the retaining walls. While I agree it may not be issue number in Solon, I do think it would look nice; the concrete looks drab.
tomcody
12:06 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
..as most run "late" today, i believe as they want to appologise on their cell phone and they want to say how many more minutes they will be ""LATE""..!!.
Dan Georges
9:07 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I must drive through Solon every day to and from work.
I wouldn't want to see an electronic sign.
If Solon voted in favor of this whole thing, I will definitely find another way to work - and avoid driving through the city except in case of emergency.
Randy
5:49 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
This is the one time I have ever agreed with Mr. Paulson ( and his annoying multi-daily letters to the paper):
NO ELECTRONIC SIGNS!
New retaining wall...OK
New fascade...ok
Banners when needed...ok
Heck, even a nice clock
But NO ELECTRONIC signs
Thank you. There's my 3 cents worth.
Jacki Calavitta
3:23 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
About 4 years ago, I was driving through Solon on a sunny Saturday afternoon at that very spot on Rt. 91 when a driver in the curb lane decided to change lanes and crashed into me. Traffic, as expected, was barely crawling along, and I was in a SUV - she said she was distracted and "didn't see me".
Can you imagine spending $1MM of public money for another super-sized, illuminated
"distraction"? I spent an entire career in a design-oriented business, but I fail to see how the concept of this sign ties together the aesthetics of the new and improved downtown district. Are we saying it's such a mess now, let's blow more money and make it worse?
The only thing we're missing is Mickey D's on that busy corner. Our "cheese" would really be complete.