What happens when citizens in their community fight back

Folks on the Michigan Street Bridge listening to
Steel Bridge Songfest performances, Sturgeon Bay

This past weekend I traveled to Sturgeon Bay for Steel Bridge Songfest '08.

Ten years ago, Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials had slated the iconic Michigan Street Bridge for teardown. Some local politicians were in favor of dismantling the bridge as well. Sturgeon Bay resident Christie Weber then formed Citizens for our Bridge, a nonprofit campaign whose mission was to save the steel bridge. Weber's group appealed to DOT officials to apply for federal funding and preserve the steel bridge. Instead of building one new four-lane bridge, the group convinced the DOT to build a two-lane bridge and keep the two-lane Michigan Street Bridge as well. The Citizens Action group would raise money that would help preserve the bridge.

The new two-lane bridge scheduled for completion later this year.
The Michigan Street Bridge will then be closed down for repairs.

Weber came up with an idea of a music festival to jump start fundraising and appealed to her singer/songwriter brother Pat mAcdonald. mAcdonald convinced his friend Jackson Browne to perform free at the fledgling festival. Other music friends soon followed, and Steel Bridge Songfest was born.

In it's fourth year, Steel Bridge Songfest has grown into a three day festival where over 150 musicians donate their time and perform at local venues throughout Sturgeon Bay. In addition, visiting musicians collaborate with songwriters and pen new music using the iconic bridge as a metaphor. The Song Fest cumulates with an all day music fest at the Great Lakes Yacht Boatyard with the Michigan Street Bridge as a backdrop.

Appleton's Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons performing at Steel Bridge Songfest '08

Wisconsin DOT officials were presented with plaques at this year's song fest. They will be affixed to each end of the bridge. The Michigan Street Bridge was included in the National Register of Historical Places this past January.

This year's goal is to raise $300,000 towards collecting a $3 million endowment fund. These funds will be used for maintenance not covered by the State and will insure future generations can enjoy the majestic bridge.

Crappy photo, but Jackson Browne on right. The short guy on the end left is 8-year old electric guitar phenom Tallan "T-Man" Latz.... yes, eight years old! Can you imagine jamming out with music legends that young? He's performing with Les Paul later this month.