Bridge petition to hit Mayor's desk

Posted at: 01/16/2012 5:34 PM | Updated at: 01/16/2012 6:06 PM
By: Abigail Bleck

COHOES--Flowers, mementos and pictures serve as a memorial to Warren Belcher.  They hang at the entrance to the Black Bridge, where the 32 year old fell to his death on New Year's Day.

"He just meant so much to all of us," remembers Belcher's friend, David Dobbs.

That's why Dobbs is looking to honor his friend in another way.  He created an online petition calling for the demolition of the dilapidated structure.  So far, 1,023 people have signed it.

"It wasn't something he should have done, by any means, but that was the great thing about him, he was a daring person," says Dobbs.

Since the accident the bridge has been posted and the area continues to be patrolled by police regularly.  Still, it's a known party spot and summertime hang out.  

Dobbs says he believes in personal responsibility but also, he says, public official accountability.

"We cannot have another life lost," adds Dobbs.

There are plans already underway for the aging structure.  This spring the bridge will be rehabilitated and become part of the scenic bicycle and pedestrian rail to trail crossing.  Work should be complete by the fall.

"Obviously connecting all these regional trails to have a public benefit that's what the goal has been these past 5 years...and it will come to fruition this year," explains Mayor John McDonald of the $600,000 project.

Until then, though, Warren Belcher's friends want to see access completely cut off.  It's what Warren would want, Dobbs believes, if it were the other way around.

"It's got to be closed off and if they can't it's got to come down," says Dobbs.

Mayor McDonald estimates that tearing down the bridge entirely would cost more than the repairs.

There will be a benefit for Warren Belcher's family on Saturday at the Waterworks Pub in Albany.  Warren was a bartender there.

Mayor McDonald says tearing the bridge down would be more expensive than adsf ," says Dobbs.,sdf

Tweet