Yesterday afternoon it was sunny and had warmed up, so at break time, I took my trusty book and decided to head up to my favourite bench outside the Kiwanis office on 4th Ave W & Superior St. for a read in the sun for a change. The sunny, slightly warm days are numbered so I like to try to make the most of them and get outside.
Imagine my surprise when I got there and the bench had been removed.
*Disbelief, Shock and Sadness*
Was it a seasonal bench? Removed for repair? Damaged? Stolen?
Over the past few years, working downtown I have come to use that bench quite often. I have met and chatted with many fellow Duluthians as well as tourists. This bench was also particularly choice as across the street is a Time/Temperature sign which comes in handy for people like me on timed breaks. It was also nice to see the temp change whilst on a morning, lunch, or afternoon break.
If you look close at the photo, the man at the bus kiosk in the white hat with the beard often used the bench as well. Just another one of Duluth's characters who enjoyed the bench. I wonder where the older lady who frequented that bench and often sat and chatted with me on my afternoon breaks will go - and what they both thought of the bench's disappearance. :-(
No bench, so I went for a walk to see where else I could relocate for a new reading spot.
At minimum, I would have to walk another block - not far, but the bench there is broken and faces away from the street. There is a picnic area there as well (outside the United Way offices) but again, not as good for people watching as the other, and no clock.
There is also a bench just nearer to 6th Ave West on the upper side - by the bus stop - so close that the buses often mistake bench users for riders, stopping to check - even though there is a bus kiosk right close by - the riders often use the bench in addition to the kiosk.
Across the street at the Duluth Public Library there is another bench, tucked under the Library overhang - usually never in the sun.
All other public outdoor places to sit are farther east at the Lake Avenue and Superior Street intersection both at the fountain and Minnesota Power's park-like area. Nothing in between, nor on the Avenues.
When I returned to work I tried to call the Kiwanis office to ask about the bench, no answer, so I googled their site and found an email and fired one off inquiring about the bench.
Today I received a reply from Tricia stating that the bench was removed for repair (it looked and felt fine) and that the bench will not be returned to that site as their offices have moved.
Crap.
So later this afternoon I fired off an email to the Mayor to see if the City can replace the bench, or perhaps the Chamber or even VisitDuluth.
If it comes back a "no" then I will ask to see if a business or citizens could have the bench replaced on their own and what process would be necessary to do so. I did find a local site which manufactures benches out of totally recycled materials, at a cost of $1199. It's a different sort of bench than the one that was located in that spot, but it is made by a local company and recycled. This bench is the same as those outside the St Louis County Courthouse as can be seen in the gallery on the Loll site.
Imagine my surprise when I got there and the bench had been removed.
*Disbelief, Shock and Sadness*
Was it a seasonal bench? Removed for repair? Damaged? Stolen?
Over the past few years, working downtown I have come to use that bench quite often. I have met and chatted with many fellow Duluthians as well as tourists. This bench was also particularly choice as across the street is a Time/Temperature sign which comes in handy for people like me on timed breaks. It was also nice to see the temp change whilst on a morning, lunch, or afternoon break.
If you look close at the photo, the man at the bus kiosk in the white hat with the beard often used the bench as well. Just another one of Duluth's characters who enjoyed the bench. I wonder where the older lady who frequented that bench and often sat and chatted with me on my afternoon breaks will go - and what they both thought of the bench's disappearance. :-(
No bench, so I went for a walk to see where else I could relocate for a new reading spot.
At minimum, I would have to walk another block - not far, but the bench there is broken and faces away from the street. There is a picnic area there as well (outside the United Way offices) but again, not as good for people watching as the other, and no clock.
There is also a bench just nearer to 6th Ave West on the upper side - by the bus stop - so close that the buses often mistake bench users for riders, stopping to check - even though there is a bus kiosk right close by - the riders often use the bench in addition to the kiosk.
Across the street at the Duluth Public Library there is another bench, tucked under the Library overhang - usually never in the sun.
All other public outdoor places to sit are farther east at the Lake Avenue and Superior Street intersection both at the fountain and Minnesota Power's park-like area. Nothing in between, nor on the Avenues.
When I returned to work I tried to call the Kiwanis office to ask about the bench, no answer, so I googled their site and found an email and fired one off inquiring about the bench.
Today I received a reply from Tricia stating that the bench was removed for repair (it looked and felt fine) and that the bench will not be returned to that site as their offices have moved.
Crap.
So later this afternoon I fired off an email to the Mayor to see if the City can replace the bench, or perhaps the Chamber or even VisitDuluth.
If it comes back a "no" then I will ask to see if a business or citizens could have the bench replaced on their own and what process would be necessary to do so. I did find a local site which manufactures benches out of totally recycled materials, at a cost of $1199. It's a different sort of bench than the one that was located in that spot, but it is made by a local company and recycled. This bench is the same as those outside the St Louis County Courthouse as can be seen in the gallery on the Loll site.
Stay tuned...
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