Owners of Purple People Bridge raising money to fund repainting project
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - One of the bridges over the Ohio River is actually the most used trail in the Tri-State. Seven-hundred thousand people cross it every year -- about 2,000 people every day. It stands out because of its color or, now, lack thereof.
You probably recognize the Purple People Bridge, located between the Daniel Carter Beard and Taylor Southgate bridges. The owner, Newport Southbank Bridge Company, is asking for help paying for an upkeep project.
The idea is to make sure this bridge lives up to its name.
"I was like, 'Oh, the purple bridge; it's not purple," said Abbi Wright.
Sophia Beatty of West Chester brought her friend Wright to the bridge on their tour of Cincinnati. She remembers going there as a kid.
"I have really fond memories of me and my family just walking back and forth. Of course, it was a lot warmer, but I love it now, and I love showing people," said Beatty.
"Definitely cool, definitely something that I don't have back home where you can just walk across," said Wright.
If you crossed it now for the first time (or the 100th) you can easily see the unique character of the bridge. Music is playing, there are areas to leave personal memories like padlocks and signatures, but you can also see the wear-and-tear.
"Paint only lasts for a period of time, and so we're at a point now where not only do we need to paint the bridge, we do need to scrape some of the loose paint off and do some of the necessary painting or maintenance with that," said Jack Moreland, the president of Southbank Partners.
Moreland said the paint price tag is $1 million.
"I think it's a fantastic idea; I think it would draw a lot more attention to it, and it goes well with the yellow over there," said Beatty.
"Whether it's more purple or not, I don't have a thought about that. But if it needs painted that should be done," said Bill Walker of Newport.
The project has two parts. After the fresh coat of paint, Moreland said they would like to light up the bridge with LED lights.
"It is an attraction. We have to look upon it as an asset, but if you have an asset, you certainly have to keep it maintained," said Moreland.
Events like "Party on the Purple" and "Boom on the Bridge" raise money for the painting project, but that does not make a big dent in what they need. The owner said they need the people who love this landmark to pitch in as well.
If you're interested in donating, click here.
