Then they returned to the "Steel Valley" by the river to continue their investigation.
Along the railroad line, from Sixth Street forward, there is a cement factory. At the intersection of Seventh Street is the coking plant. In front of it is the dock and open coal yard. Between Ninth Street and Eleventh Street, the railroad's There was a gas company outside, and these were the properties of the Edgar Steel Works.
Starting from Eleventh Street is the main factory area of ??the Edgar Steel Plant. The factory area stretches for thousands of meters, but most of it has been idle. Today, only two blast furnaces are still operating, with an annual output of more than 2 million tons of steel. It accounts for about 30% of U.S. Steel's domestic steel production.
The buildings of the steel plant are very huge. The main building is almost as wide as a city block and as high as a dozen-story building. It looks very spectacular, like a helicarrier in a space movie. Tall chimneys pierce the sky, thick pipes criss-cross, and densely packed steel frames like walls can be seen everywhere.
This is the steel plant. Wang Lei has been here for a long time. After looking at it all the way, he still feels that the main venue of the cultural festival should be placed in the Edgar Steel Plant, or nearby, so that everyone can see the entire steel plant and feel it. The ruggedness and strength of the steel factory are something that even those iron works cannot provide.
In addition, it is best for the site to be on the riverside, where you can see the Monongahela River, which is a major river in Pennsylvania with a total length of more than 200 kilometers and is the main source of the Ohio River. It has a vast water surface with 13 The river's wild and scenic area not only provides excellent habitat for a diverse species of fish and wildlife, but also serves as a recreational spot for fishing and whitewater boating unparalleled in the eastern United States.
They can also put a few cruise boats on the river, so that people can enjoy the water scenery of the Monongahela River or fish by the water while visiting cultural festivals and steel plants.
In the end, Wang Lei took a fancy to an open space between Eleventh Street, the railroad and the Monongahela River. This land was originally the wharf and warehouse of the steel plant, but was later abandoned, leaving a large open space and an empty building. The warehouse, whether it is an open space or an indoor space, is sufficient for use.
This place is also in line with several of Wang Lei¡¯s ideas. It is close to the river and the steel plant, which best reflects the two major characteristics of Braddock¡¯s steel culture and the Monongahela Valley. The transportation is also convenient. Follow Braddock Avenue and turn Enter Eleventh Street and walk to the end.
Wang Lei looked at several alternative places, took some photos respectively, and then ended the field trip with satisfaction.
Throughout the three-day Labor Day holiday, Wang Lei was busy running around for the cultural festival. He visited the general manager of Edgar Steel Plant to discuss the venue and event sponsorship.
He then stayed in Pittsburgh for two more days, during which he visited senior management of U.S. Steel and visited several other large companies and media organizations, hoping to get more support.
He also visited some of Pittsburgh's more famous art studios and handicraft dealers to persuade them to participate in Braddock's cultural festival, and inquired and investigated their demands and hopes for the cultural festival. He did not return to Braddock until Monday night. Doc.
Every Tuesday morning is the time for leave agreed between Wang Lei and the school. He does not have to go to school. He can go to the town hall to handle some daily work, including attending council meetings to discuss some important matters.
On the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, the council reviewed the plan to "hold the Braddock Steel Culture Festival" submitted by Wang Lei last week. As an important event of the town hall, this plan must be approved by the council.
Wang Lei also made a lot of preparations for this, and the plan submitted to parliament was very detailed, but it still encountered fierce opposition.
"Steel Culture Festival? I think this is completely impossible to achieve. First of all, how to solve the problem of money?" Town Council member Simone was the first to speak against it.
¡°Whether it¡¯s cleaning up the venue, preparing bunks, inviting guests, maintaining order, or transportation within the town, publicity, prizes these all require money. The town does not have this budget, and it is impossible to come up with this budget, because we cannot Determine how many people will come to the cultural festival and visit.¡±
"And in this plan, neither the merchants setting up stalls nor the tourists need to pay. How will the finance of the event be balanced? Does the town need to spend money on charity? This is impossible, the town does not have the finance ability, and voters won¡¯t agree.¡±
After experiencing the last conflict, Simone clearly learned a lesson. She did not object randomly. Instead, she raised her own doubts after carefully reading the plan. From the standpoint of the parliamentarian representing the voters, she questioned Wang Lei. The plan is suspected of spending money indiscriminately.
"As for the donations and sponsorships mentioned in the plan, they are also a bit too idealistic. If they are not enough, they are even?If not, will the finance still have to foot the bill? This is unacceptable. "
"Yes, money is a problem, unless the steel magnate Carnegie is reborn and is willing to become a major funder of the cultural festival." Jeff Smith spread his hands and grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth.
"Also, Rex, I think your idea is good, but I really don't understand why anyone would come to Braddock to watch the Steel Culture Festival. You have to know that we are more than ten kilometers away from downtown Pittsburgh. kilometers, they can go to the Carnegie Mellon Museum of Art and Natural History, the Warhol Museum or the Mattress Factory, or attend the Three Rivers Cultural Festival, instead of having to go to Braddock, a dozen kilometers away, a place without museums and never culture. A place that celebrates tradition.¡±
Jeff spread his hands and was not optimistic about Braddock¡¯s cultural festival.
Wang Lei smiled: "Jeff, you have to know that the most famous tourist attraction in the Pittsburgh area is not the Carnegie Museum of Art or even the Three Rivers Cultural Festival, but Fallingwater, fifty miles away."
Jeff was stunned for a moment, then shrugged: "Oh, Fallingwater is unique."
"Bradock is also unique." Wang Lei said with a smile.
"Rex, you know, that's different." Jeff shook his head.
"Placing the site in the steel plant area is a hidden danger for safety, both for the steel plant and the cultural festival; in addition, if a large number of businessmen and tourists come to Braddock, our security will also be a problem "Marquis coughed twice and raised his doubts from the perspective of an old policeman.
"Oh, Marquis, you don't have to worry about security issues at all. No one will come to Braddock unless they are crazy." Simone glanced at Wang Lei sarcastically. She, Jeff, and If all three of them oppose Marquis, Wang Lei's proposal will not be passed and will only be aborted, even if Brady and Cynthia support it.
{Piaotia Literature www.piaotia.net thanks all book friends for their support, your support is our greatest motivation}