"What
will the new roof on Fulcher's building look like?"
That's
the question Oriental residents have been asking. Area builder
Fred Johnston says he has an answer.
| 
Johnston
shows off the Surplus Tower plans he found for just $39.95
|
Johnston
has followed the news regarding the proposed plans for the new
World Trade Center in New York. It is estimated that tens of
millions have been spent on over a dozen different proposed
plans - and most have been rejected. It's those rejected plans
that Johnston has focused on. Having been paid for by government
money, Johnston realized that the unused plans would have to
be made available to the public. His amazing discovery - the
plans have been classified as "surplus" and are being
sold to
licensed contractors for just $39.95.
With these
plans in hand, Johnston says he intends to build two 1600 foot
tall towers, using the existing concrete structure at Fulcher's
as a foundation. The TownDock NewsExtra staff wondered - had
Fred ever tackled a project of this magnitude? "Well...I've
constructed buildings that were 5,000 sq ft" says Johnston.
We noted that the plans called for the towers to contain almost
a million square feet. "It's really just like building
a house" countered Johnston, "just think of it like
building a lot of houses."
Johnston
has been spending a lot of time reading up on the subject |
In reviewing
the plans we noticed it specified some rather exotic materials
- titanium alloy beams for example. Johnston says that won't
be necessary. Instead he will be using "Pamlico Builders
finest quality pressure treated lumber."
| 
An
artist's rendition of the proposed "Oriental Towers"
|
Johnston
believes the Oriental Towers will have a very positive effect
on the local economy, stressing the new businesses they will
attract.
"I
want the towers to fit in with Oriental," says Johnston.
"The first two floors will be a casino with a fishing theme.
Mixed in with the blackjack tables and roulette wheels will
be an actual fish packing plant. This will have the traditional
feel of Oriental."
The previous
roof on the building had to be removed in December due to its
exceeding the town height limitations by about 8 feet. As this
will exceed the height limit by some 1,557 feet, it may have
a similar problem. "No - not at all" stressed Johnston.
"At this height it is just an FAA matter."
| 
Across
from the proposed job site, Fred points to where the towers
will be
|
Still,
Johnston said as a good-will gesture that he would take up his
plans with the town planning board. Another issue that Johnston
has yet to wrap up is an agreement with the building's owner.
"I haven't called Chris yet," says Johnston, "but
I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't like the idea."
A future
public hearing is planned to be held at the Town Dock - in full
view of the proposed building site. Johnston says he may hire
illusionist David Copperfield to create a holographic image
in the place the towers will be.
