April 1, 2017: Surf City, NC: In an earlier surprise announcement today, local Real Estate company Lewis Realty announced they were planning to buy the Surf City Swing Bridge, effective 2018. In response to this announcement, that has been on the table since beginning of 2015, Topsail Realty Vacations President and Owner, Mike Harrington, said “We are excited that the Swing Bridge will be protected moving forward. It’s an iconic piece of Topsail Island history and we feel it would be a shame for it to completely go away”.
However, as of 1:00 pm, Harrington and his private foundation focused on historic preservation submitted an upset bid to NCDOT and Surf City arguing a bridge of such historic significance should not be sold to private individuals and is the property of all who have visited and live on Topsail Island. Harrington added, “Unfortunately preserving such an old bridge is going to require many millions of dollars moving forward. Our foundation can work with Chris on this project together, and provide funds moving forward, but only if the original character of the bridge is maintained.”
“The Swing Bridge Foundation”, a 501(c)(3) headquarter in Surf City, proposes to provide multi-year grants in order to maintain the character and operation of the original Swing Bridge, provide access to ALL who wish to use it instead of the new high rise bridge, and hire a full time bridge tender at 1.5 times the salary that NCDOT was paying. “We respect Chris and Lewis for this endeavor, and we feel “The Swing Bridge Foundation” is the best alternative. We even have a seat on the Foundation’s board for Chris is he desires”, added Harrington.
About “The Swing Bridge Foundation”: A registered 501(c)(3) located in Surf City, North Carolina, The Swing Bridge Foundation sole purpose is to preserve the original character and operation of the iconic Swing Bridge that connects Topsail Island to the mainland of Surf City. Founded by Mike Harrington, President and Owner of Topsail Realty Vacations, as well as other preservation minded philanthropists, The Swing Bridge Foundation aims to protect public access rights to a historical treasure for Topsail Island. To learn more, visit: www.SwingBridgeFoundation.org
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FYI: We’d love for this to be true, but, April Fools!