Mayor Upsets Local Boaters With Decision to Alter Colour of Landmark Pier
To some it may seem kind of silly, but to many boaters, sailors and residents in Hammond and Whiting, Indiana, The Big Orange Pier serves as some sort of a landmark.
The Big Orange Pier, as it was referred to, is located in Whiting Park off the southern shores of Lake Michigan.
The Pier is used for fishing and is also a local attraction for people that like to gaze into the beauty that is Lake Michigan.
Straight ahead you see the lake meet the sky, look towards your right on a clear day and you can view Chicago's magnificent skyline, however looking to the left you see industrial landscape like the BP Amoco Refinery.
This panoramic vision combines an interesting mix of splendour and industry.
As far as the history of the pier goes, all we can say is that it has always been orange.
According to some residents, "It has been that way as long as I can recall.
" That was until April 2006.
The once easily recognizable Orange Pier has received a recent facelift that has seen its hunter-friendly façade replaced with a controversial green hue.
A popular rumour is that it was painted green because their high school colours are Green and White.
One local citizen approached city officials with the simple question of, "Why?" Mayor Joseph M.
Stahura insists, "Believe it or not," he received many complaints about the pier's LOUD ORANGE colour and that is why it has been painted green.
The new green paint job seems dangerous as it appears to blend in too much with Lake Michigan, which itself is also a blue-ish green.
It would seem that while on the water, the orange colour allowed boaters to detect the landmark much more clearly.
Mayor Stahura also addressed any safety concerns by assuring that the paint is reflective.
Lake Michigan water is also reflective when the sun hits on the proper angle.
So what was the correct decision here? Should waterway safety have played a bigger role in the decision-making or were community beautification and high school spirit more relevant factors? Groups of supporters are set to take on city hall and get the pier repainted.
Could this mean the return of the Big Orange Pier? They are hoping to accomplish this, at least when it comes time for a new paint job, if not sooner.
GreatLakesDestinations.
com will continue to track the colour status of the pier.
The Big Orange Pier, as it was referred to, is located in Whiting Park off the southern shores of Lake Michigan.
The Pier is used for fishing and is also a local attraction for people that like to gaze into the beauty that is Lake Michigan.
Straight ahead you see the lake meet the sky, look towards your right on a clear day and you can view Chicago's magnificent skyline, however looking to the left you see industrial landscape like the BP Amoco Refinery.
This panoramic vision combines an interesting mix of splendour and industry.
As far as the history of the pier goes, all we can say is that it has always been orange.
According to some residents, "It has been that way as long as I can recall.
" That was until April 2006.
The once easily recognizable Orange Pier has received a recent facelift that has seen its hunter-friendly façade replaced with a controversial green hue.
A popular rumour is that it was painted green because their high school colours are Green and White.
One local citizen approached city officials with the simple question of, "Why?" Mayor Joseph M.
Stahura insists, "Believe it or not," he received many complaints about the pier's LOUD ORANGE colour and that is why it has been painted green.
The new green paint job seems dangerous as it appears to blend in too much with Lake Michigan, which itself is also a blue-ish green.
It would seem that while on the water, the orange colour allowed boaters to detect the landmark much more clearly.
Mayor Stahura also addressed any safety concerns by assuring that the paint is reflective.
Lake Michigan water is also reflective when the sun hits on the proper angle.
So what was the correct decision here? Should waterway safety have played a bigger role in the decision-making or were community beautification and high school spirit more relevant factors? Groups of supporters are set to take on city hall and get the pier repainted.
Could this mean the return of the Big Orange Pier? They are hoping to accomplish this, at least when it comes time for a new paint job, if not sooner.
GreatLakesDestinations.
com will continue to track the colour status of the pier.
Source...