|
|
|
Blenheim Covered Bridge
February 16, 2012, the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution requesting a stay of de-designation of the Blenheim Bridge from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. March 8, 2012, they received a reply from the U.S. Department of the Interior acknowledging the de-designation decision had been postponed indefinitely.
Schoharie County, after receiving a September 18, 2012 FEMA letter of denial of eligibility for replacement of the Blenheim Covered Bridge filed an appeal. September 28, 2012 the County of Schoharie filed an appeal with NYSOEM (FEMA) requesting re-consideration on their decision.
June 21, 2013 Schoharie County is notified that FEMA has reversed their original determination and considered the Bridge appeal partially approved, providing limited federal funds to replace the facility back to the pre-disaster function and capacity of its alternate use. While this is a step in a positive direction, much work still needs to be done by the County in getting a project and funding approved.
With support from Congressman Chris Gibson, Assemblyman Peter Lopez, Senator Seward and Senator Gillibrand it is hopeful that the Old Blenheim Bridge may once again span the Schoharie Creek.
On August 16, 2013, a plea was made to the Schoharie Board of Supervisors to support efforts to have the Blenheim Bridge project result in a re-built Blenheim Covered Bridge rather than any alternate projects. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in agreement and also directed the Recovery Coordinator to include the Blenheim Supervisor Robert Mann and Blenheim Long Term Community Recovery Chairman Don Airey in ongoing activities related to the Blenheim Covered Bridge.
The new bridge will not only be a centerpiece for Blenheim, but a centerpiece for the economic recovery of Blenheim and Schoharie County.
The restoration of the bridge is part of the plan for the bridge park recreation area which would also include the old schoolhouse museum, a bike path, walking path and river walk – using the Blenheim Bridge as its centerpiece.
View the PDF presentation of the Blenheim Covered Bridge History: Bridge History PDF (1.4MB)
February 16, 2012, the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution requesting a stay of de-designation of the Blenheim Bridge from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. March 8, 2012, they received a reply from the U.S. Department of the Interior acknowledging the de-designation decision had been postponed indefinitely.
Schoharie County, after receiving a September 18, 2012 FEMA letter of denial of eligibility for replacement of the Blenheim Covered Bridge filed an appeal. September 28, 2012 the County of Schoharie filed an appeal with NYSOEM (FEMA) requesting re-consideration on their decision.
June 21, 2013 Schoharie County is notified that FEMA has reversed their original determination and considered the Bridge appeal partially approved, providing limited federal funds to replace the facility back to the pre-disaster function and capacity of its alternate use. While this is a step in a positive direction, much work still needs to be done by the County in getting a project and funding approved.
With support from Congressman Chris Gibson, Assemblyman Peter Lopez, Senator Seward and Senator Gillibrand it is hopeful that the Old Blenheim Bridge may once again span the Schoharie Creek.
On August 16, 2013, a plea was made to the Schoharie Board of Supervisors to support efforts to have the Blenheim Bridge project result in a re-built Blenheim Covered Bridge rather than any alternate projects. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in agreement and also directed the Recovery Coordinator to include the Blenheim Supervisor Robert Mann and Blenheim Long Term Community Recovery Chairman Don Airey in ongoing activities related to the Blenheim Covered Bridge.
The new bridge will not only be a centerpiece for Blenheim, but a centerpiece for the economic recovery of Blenheim and Schoharie County.
The restoration of the bridge is part of the plan for the bridge park recreation area which would also include the old schoolhouse museum, a bike path, walking path and river walk – using the Blenheim Bridge as its centerpiece.
View the PDF presentation of the Blenheim Covered Bridge History: Bridge History PDF (1.4MB)