Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
The city of Bessemer's new sign, right. It is designed to reflect the city's rich railroad history sets next to the old sign along U.S. -2 Tuesday morning. The old sign will be removed, according to officials.
By CHARITY SMITH
Bessemer - Visitors to Bessemer will temporarily be welcomed into the city by not one but two signs, sitting next to each other announcing the entrance into the city along U.S. 2 at the east and west ends of town. New "Be Bessemer" signs were put into place earlier this week alongside the old welcome signs, which will be removed at some point.
"We are looking for a fresh look that captures our (railroad) history. The signs are in the style of some of our railroad bridges," said Charly Loper, Bessemer city manager.
Loper said railroads are important to the city's history, including the work they did with the mines.
Loper said the "Be Bessemer" committee developed the brand for the city.
"It's exciting," she said, of the erection of the signs.
The signs were designed and constructed by Doug Kikkebusch, a local artist. Kikkebusch was commissioned for $15,000 by the city's Downtown Development Authority last year to build the signs, which were originally scheduled to be completed in early June so that they could be installed before the Fourth of July festivities. However, the completion of the project was delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the DDA extended the date of completion to early August.
The DDA only received one bid, from Nasi Construction for $9,910, to install the signs and pour the footings, which Loper said are "pretty deep and involved."
Loper said the city has not sought bids on the electrical work yet. She said they are waiting for better weather before asking for bids to replace the the lighting and wiring for the signs.
