For the past six months I have been very fortunate to be granted the opportunity to showcase the Louisville Waterfront Park and it’s latest addition the Big Four Bridge. The “Crown Jewel” of the park was the conversion of the abandoned Big Four Railway Bridge which has now been rescued from it’s former status as “The Bridge to Nowhere” and given new life as an intercity/interstate connection for pedestrians and bicyclists in Louisville Kentucky and Jeffersonville Indiana. I recorded not only the final five months of the construction project but also the men who did the hard physical labor that it required. Throughout that time I created a photographic record of these men, their names and their accomplishments, which is going into the Waterfront Development Corp. archives.
My goal, from the first day I set foot on the project, was to record and preserve the faces and the names of these men so that future generations would know who they were and what they looked like. I feel that too often in our society we overlook the contribution that labor makes to the success of great civic projects like Waterfront Park; I envisioned an archive that would allow them to be remembered as a significant part of the history of the Big Four Bridge. Their dedication to their trades as Ironworkers, Carpenters, Equipment Operators, Laborers and Bridge Builders shows in every facet of the bridge. I hope that their pride in, and love for, the Big Four Bridge will never be forgotten and that in some small way my photos will celebrate these men.
From my involvement with this aspect of Louisville Waterfront Park I decided that I wanted to stay involved with the park and continue to share my images of Louisville Waterfront Park with the City of Louisville. When Ms. Margaret Walker asked if I was interested in a continued partnership with the Waterfront Development Corporation I immediately said yes. After conferring with the President of the Waterfront Development Corporation, Mr. David Karem, and Ms. Walker we agreed that I would continue to record and share my images of the continued evolution of the park and the activities that take place there with the Waterfront Development Corporation and the public through the Waterfront Park Photo Archives.
Yesterday Margaret Walker announced our partnership with the following press release:
“The Waterfront Development Corporation is pleased to partner with photographer Nick Roberts on his photo documentation of the workings of Waterfront Park. Nick’s series of photos of the last five months of construction of the Big Four Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge are an invaluable resource and an important addition to Waterfront Park’s photo archives. We look forward to continuing this partnership as Nick captures an ongoing behind-the-scenes look at Waterfront Park construction, operation and events.”
I look forward with anticipation to the future of Louisville Waterfront Park and the opportunity to share my images and feelings with my fellow Louisvillians for years to come.
Sounds like a wonderful opportunity and a great partnership Nick. Look forward to viewing any and all photos of the collaboration!
Thanks Brian.
Congratulations, Nick. I am thrilled for you, and looking forward to your flow of wonderful images.
Thanks Lauren
Nick, what an honor to be documenting history like this. I love that your desire is to make these hard-working men known. Bless you for that.
They deserve to be recognized too. Thanks for the comment.
It is a great and important project and it is really nice Waterfront Development Corporation found an understanding, support and necessity in your participation. It is an honour to be involved in that kind of project. Congratulations!
Thank you Lautal I’m honored that they partnered with me too.
Congratulations Nick! A job well done showing your commitment and artistic talent!
Commitment could lead to committed but I’m willing to take the risk 😉
Congratulations, Nick. I have to say that they made a great choice.
I’ve enjoyed all of your images and look forward to more.
Thanks J.A. I appreciate your support and comments.
What a great partnership. You have made a beautiful series with this project, Nick. I love the idea of honouring the people that worked so hard to make it happen.
Congratulations!
Thank you Karen it has been a labor of love so to speak.
Great work Nick. I particularly love this latest elevated view of the bridge. What a gorgeous use of golden hour lighting. I love the fact that you’re accenting the labors of the unsung. Sometimes we see the finished product but don’t get to appreciate the blue collar, red-blooded craftsmen that made it happen. My own collar being blue, I thank you.
Thanks Herb, I too have my roots in the blue collar world. I feel that too often the contributions to society of the working class get lost in the rhetoric that labor is somehow less than the capital class. Were it not for labor nothing like the pyramids, the great cathedrals or the infrastructure we as a society depend on could exist.
The photo I used to illustrate this post was taken on one of my first days on the Big Four Bridge and was a view of the Waterfront Park that had not been seen before by more than a handful of people.
Congratulation Nick. Now, you will never be without a project and a client. And the best is that they like you and you like them. Super.
Thanks Richard…
Awesome and well deserved
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Thank you Julie I appreciate your support.
Your talented hard work and dedication has paid off…”congratulations”! I am so happy this great honor was bestowed on you, you truly deserve it.
Thanks Phyllis