Hope For Our Future

[Towntalk]

So far as those solar collectors are concerned, I don't really see any real problem placing them in the river right now as it is. People are allowed to boat on the river above Spring Commons so it's a matter of putting a flame under the feet of our city officials to get them to do it.

[AllanY2525]

How about this idea for some green power - replace the three original, low-rise dams built by the
former steel plants with slightly higher dams - maybe even add a few down the entire stretch
of the river valley formerly known as "steel mill alley".

By adding several low-rise dams, more water would be pooled by the river.  More
surface areas for these "solar-lillies".  The mills built the original dams because
the river was relatively narrow and did not have sufficient water reserves to run
the mills directly from the river.

Now - add  under-shot paddle wheel(s) on the downstream side of each dam..which turn
electrical generators.  These paddles look just like those on an old steam powered river
boat - only much longer.  If stretched across the river from side to side, they would generate
considerable torque - even when turned slowly.   

Now - add together the power generated by the solar lilly fields with that of the paddle
wheel stations and I think you'd have a fairly large amount of locally generated power
along the whole stretch of river.  I love the part about the small motors that keep
the solar cells aligned for best possible current output.  This output could be stored
in battery stations for emergencies, etc as well.

Green technology like this could create something unique - people might be interested
in seeing it.  Combined with river-walk venus, etc it would allow Youngstown and
the rest of the valley to cut their energy costs by using available natural resources in
a new way - while creating a "destination" that can draw visitors with its uniqueness.

I agree with those who have said that the land AROUND the Chevy Centre really, really
needs to be developed.  It's time to start using the river again - even if there is a contact
ban on the riverbed sediments, the river could provide a beautiful, park-like setting for
all kinds of activities - both outdoors and indoors.

[Elmo-Ytown]

Looks to me like everthing just needs to be cut back from the river by about twenty feet, it's always amazed me how the river is so close to downtown, and how much we could be doing with it, yet there it sits, overgrown and ignored. I would love to see a riverfront park somewhere near the Chevy Centre.

[Towntalk]

Just got done putting 4 pictures of the Mahoning River up on my Webshots site. Captions tell it all.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500

[Towntalk]

Dennis:

That would be cool and could be just what we need to spur getting the river back to the way it looked back in the 1800's. I have a photograph of the river that was taken in 1889 somewhere and the river looked a lot wider than it is now. I'll look around for it and put it up on my Webshots site.

It's a crime how the cities along the river have been sitting on their hands for the past 30 years, talking about cleaning up the Mahoning, but not doing it. I can't remember how many times I've read articles in the Vindicator about how the Corps of Engineers were going to dredge the river and knock down the dams so that it could run free, but nothing ever came of it.

Lets face it, all the prime polluters of the river are gone, and what industries that are in that area are not polluters, so there is no excuse for finally doing something more than talk.

It would be great to see a long swath of green running from city limits to city limits along the river, and the idea that you suggest would fit in perfect.

[Why?Town]

http://idesignawards.com/winner/07/zoom.php?eid=1007-08&uid=3072&count=0

That river seems considerably wider than the Mahoning, it also seems to be more like a large canal with those vertical sides, and must have some sort of flood control based on how close the buildings are.

I'm all for solar power but not sure that would work locally.

[irishbobcat]

Towntalk:

When we talk about where to place solar panels and make the riverway an "Attractive" tourist spot.....

how about placing Solar panel "lily pads" in the river to generate energy and tourism?

Read the following article:

Cool Tech of the Week: Solar Water Lilies

Written by Michelle Bennett

Published on May 17th, 2008Posted in alternative energy, products, solar energy, water
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Aesthetic. Original. Functional. Who knew solar panels could make a statement?

Apparently Peter Richardson knew when he submitted a winning solar design to the International Design Awards. His idea is to turn disused water ways into functional space by populating them with solar panels shaped like water lilies. Aiming to increase quality of life, while generating energy, the lilies so impressed the Glasgow City Council that they expressed interest in developing a pilot project.

The technology itself is easily within reach:

"They can be moved and dismantled and are simply tethered to the river bed, integrated motors can rotate the discs so their orientation to the sun is maximised throughout the day." (Project Description)

In other words, no new technology required, just some clever design. My concern would be recreational or commercial river traffic (how "disused"must the waterway be?). Would waves from wake disrupt the solar lilies? What about an impact on wildlife or wildlife's impact on the panels? What if the river ices over in the winter? One hopes a pilot project would figure out the kinks.

What do readers think - would a product like this in your local water way make an impact on your community? (More images here)

Congratulations to Mr. Richardson and his firm, ZM Architecture for winning the Land and Sea Architecture award of the International Design Awards.

Could you imagine an overhead picture of the Mahoning River in Youngstown like the picture below?

http://idesignawards.com/winner/07/zoom.php?eid=1007-08&uid=3072&count=0


web site for pictures: http://cleantechnica.com/2008/05/17/cool-tech-of-the-week-solar-water-lilies/


Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative-60th District

campaign site: http://votespisak.tripod.com

[Rick Rowlands]

Those articles are interesting.  I have been involved for the past few months working with the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem in restoring the gas blowing engines at Bethlehem Steel and am quite familiar with the Allentown area. 

Bethlehem is getting a casino, which is being built in the former steel mill.  Instead of trying to forget their industrial heritage, they have embraced and capitalized on their heritage.  What a wonderful idea!!!   

Here are a couple of photos of the work that the Tod Engine Foundation has been doing in Bethlehem:

The blowing engine house contains 12 gas blowing engines, built between 1905-1930.  Each are 80 feet long and weigh between 300-500 tons.


At the end of the last work session we had one of the engines looking like new again.

We will be back out there again in July doing more work on the engines. 

[irishbobcat]

Towntalk:

good articles you posted. We need all citizens to come together to offer change. the poor, working, middle, and upper class need to come together to rebuild our area. Everyone must work for change. And that includes our local, county, state, and federal elected leaders.

The simple goal is to rebuild the valley. Let's all work together to do it.

Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative for the 60th District.

Campaign Site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com

[Towntalk]

Today's Vindicator is offering us hope for Youngstown's future:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/may/18/history-hope/
http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/may/18/students-share-their-thoughts/
http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/may/18/river-restoration-should-attract/
http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/may/18/allentown-vs-youngstown-give-development-chance/


Many of the things discussed in this article are things that we've been discussing here. A real turn from all the doom and gloom. I wonder if this article will be grist for the mill on Mondays local talk shows? No doubt that if it is, there will be callers that will try to rain on our parade.