Post by fred sterenberg on Jan 26, 2015 10:23:27 GMT -5
KALAMAZOO (WKZO) -- The smokestack on the site of the former Gibson Guitar factory on Parsons Street in Kalamazoo will not be destroyed.
An initial inspection of the aging structure suggested that the collapse of the smokestack was imminent and that it should be demolished. Late Thursday word arrived that a second inspection found that was not the case and that it was not in danger of falling down.
Restoration options may now be considered, including possibly deconstructing the top part of the chimney and putting it back together again. No action is expected to be taken until this summer.
It is a nice piece of history, to be sure, but what should a community spend to preserve it? The factory itself is not far behind the decline of the smokestack, although Heritage Guitars still functions in a part of the building.
My daughter's boyfriend, when discussing this little news item, said that most people think of Nashville when they think of Gibson guitars. He no longer things that.
An initial inspection of the aging structure suggested that the collapse of the smokestack was imminent and that it should be demolished. Late Thursday word arrived that a second inspection found that was not the case and that it was not in danger of falling down.
Restoration options may now be considered, including possibly deconstructing the top part of the chimney and putting it back together again. No action is expected to be taken until this summer.
It is a nice piece of history, to be sure, but what should a community spend to preserve it? The factory itself is not far behind the decline of the smokestack, although Heritage Guitars still functions in a part of the building.
My daughter's boyfriend, when discussing this little news item, said that most people think of Nashville when they think of Gibson guitars. He no longer things that.
