Charlie Rowe, whose life, work and family ties centered around Boothbay Harbor would be pleased. Although he died in November of 2011 at the age of 96, good works here continue in his name.

“When Daddy died and we wanted to do something in his memory, it all circled back around the footbridge,” Nancy Rowe said.

To remember their father, the sisters (Nancy, Sue and Marianne) began a footbridge beautification project and invited others in the community to join in that vision.

Donations to a beautification fund were solicited in Rowe’s name. A committee of merchants whose livelihoods are also tied to the harbor began meeting last summer and developing plans.

The design work was a collaboration between Jordan Construction, Alden Jordan and the Rowe sisters. The Rowe sisters approached Jordan Construction early last fall with a vision and with the help of Alden Jordan helped to get that vision on paper. Upon receiving the design Jordan Construction was able to make that vision a reality.

The Rowe sisters then met with Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Tom Woodin, Public Works Director Jody Lewis and Selectman Bill Hamblen and found the town receptive to doing its part.

“We are all for making the footbridge a big draw,” Woodin said. “We’re excited about this project.”

Woodin said improving the footbridge wasn’t on the public works’ list for the year until the Rowe sisters brought it to their attention. Since the town’s roads are in good shape, Lewis was able to shift priorities and complete work on the east entrance this year.

Last October, Lewis and his crew excavated the old asphalt and concrete leading to the footbridge’s west entrance and replaced it with new cobble-look sidewalk. They also removed the chain link fence that bordered the entrance’s south side.

In spring, the beautification committee began its work on the west side. The Rowe sisters, with the help of Alden Jordan, private donations and contributions from the Boothbay Region Greenhouse and Conley’s transformed a barren parking lot border into an eye-catching flower bed.

Sign artist Jeff Brown created “The Footbridge 1901” sign that now adorns the east entrance and another one that will eventually welcome pedestrians on the east side. The Boothbay Harbor Shipyard donated posts to create new footbridge entryways.

When the sisters found the new entryway beautiful but a little bare, Allan Miller, who owns the footbridge house turned to his tools.

“He said, 'Great, I can do that,' and the next day flower boxes were in place,” Nancy Rowe said.

By the start of the summer season, the west side entrance to the footbridge had been transformed.

“We have had a lot of good reactions to the changes,” Sue Rowe said, “People sit on the benches and take photos under the sign. People never used to do this.”

In fact, Sue said often summer visitors would peer down the alley between Romar’s and Andrews' Harborside and just turn back. “Now this new entrance invites them into the best part of the harbor,” she said.

The west side improvements are phase one of an envisioned three-part project. Still-to-be-designed improvements to the east entrance will be completed under phase two.  

Phase three will focus on beautifying the span itself. The Rowes said they would like to see the electric wires come down and vintage 1901 period lighting along the bridge.

Woodin said the town plans to replace the chain link fencing that now borders the footbridge with something that meets safety needs but is more aesthetically pleasing.

By the end of the project, those involved envision a footbridge as spectacular as the views it now offers.

But to make the vision a reality will require some additional fundraising.

Woodin said town crews and funds will be used only to beautify town property (the sidewalk entrances and the footbridge itself). All improvements on private property must be funded with private funds and accomplished by private contractors.

With phase one completed, the Rowe sisters said they will continue to spearhead the improvement project planning and fundraising, but are turning over the accounting reins to the town.

All donations to the footbridge project will now go through the town office, but will be held in a separate bank account. Donated funds will be used for improvements to private property associated with the footbridge.

So far the footbridge enhancement project has been “a really good community effort,” the Rowe sisters said. With phase one complete, the sisters now hope the community will rally together to complete the entire vision for a more beautiful footbridge.

To help make the footbridge and the harbor it crosses more beautiful, donations may be sent to the Boothbay Harbor Town Office and designated for the Footbridge Enhancement Fund.

Sue Mello can be reached at 207-844-4629 or suemello@boothbayregister.com.