Blog: Dermot Cole
State illustrates how Big I avoids destruction from road job
Published Friday, December 19, 2008
Don Anderson called me the other day with a big question.
“How come the Big I bar remains open and all of those other places are closed down? I’d like to see an answer to that in your column,” he said.
Several other people have asked the same thing.
The simple answer from the state transportation department is that the proposed road leading up to the proposed bridge would go around instead of through the International Bar.
The Department of Transportation advises that the road would be about 23 feet from the closest corner of the Big I. Bar owner John Jackovich, who plans to retire from Alyeska Pipeline at the end of the month, says he will keep the bar open and improve it.
“I see a bright future,” he said.
In the photo displayed here, the News-Miner is the building at the right, while the post office building is at Fourth and Barnette.
The new road into the borough offices, shown as Terminal Street, will turn onto what is now the parking lot in front of the Big I. There has been some talk that the entrance to the Big I will be at what is now the back of the bar.
The building housing Samson Hardware and Don’s Barbershop, as well as the former Jackovich apartments on the river and the buildings on each side of the Big I are to be torn down this summer.
Under the old plan, Barnette had been proposed to remain a one-way street, along with Cushman, but the idea now is that both would have two-way traffic.
The Cushman Street Bridge would feature two-way traffic, while the Barnette Street Bridge would have one-way traffic.
There was a suggestion in the Vision Fairbanks plan of allowing two-way traffic on the Barnette bridge and putting a roundabout in front of the News-Miner. The idea has not been discarded, but it has not been approved.
Meadow Bailey, spokeswoman for the transportation department, said the latest thinking is that it may take some time to remove the buildings and prepare for the bridge and road.
“It is anticipated that it will be a complex demolition due to the presence of asbestos and the possibility that other hazardous materials might be found. There is also the possibility that the ground is contaminated and this will require cleanup. This is why it is necessary to remove the buildings this summer though construction is not scheduled until 2010.”
Other than the Big I, the one operating business remaining in that cluster is Don’s Barbershop. Don Bent plans to close his shop before the Jan. 15 deadline. But he expects to find new quarters shortly, as he is not ready to hang up his scissors.
Contact me at cole@newsminer.com or 459-7530.
explanation or not, it still sucks!
I agree with ST. There is no point in building the bridge and immediately turning everything 2-way. With the second bridge, it makes even more sense to keep Cushman and Barnette both one-way.
I thought everyone knew.........They have the best drugs.....
this plan is an absolute waste of time, money and and Fairbanks history! Downtown is simply not that hard to navigate as is. By the way Mr. Cole, is this bridge construction gonna effect my summer China river float trips? It really is quit relaxing.
oh please! Way to sugar coat it, the state had to go around the bar because the past and current owners would have fought the state for the road to go through based on the historic value of the property. I have heard for years that the city and others have tried to get the buisnesses right there to move or get moved and some fought till the end. These guys won.
is it too late to change our minds about this?
There was a lot of input to Vision Fairbanks about keeping the old-time style for the new bridges - possibly stone bridges like the current Cushman Street Bridge. Does anyone know whether this public input was considered? Or will we get "modern" bridges that block the view of the river and make downtown Fairbanks look like Seattle?
Is this the idea of the same people that thought making 3rd ave a single lane with intrusive sidewalks that make it impossible to remove snow(so they don't)? God help you if you are trying to open your car door after parking, you could easily be killed! Leave Cushman and Barnette one-way!
None of the historic businesses should have to move! Let's have a vote and see how it comes out! Change is not always good! By the way have you seen how many cars are heading north in the new southbound lane on Cushman? Maybe that was not the best place to build a fire station? If it is deemed necessary to remove Samson Hardware and the others, the Big I should go too! "No bar left behind".
Post a comment