State removes Crow's Nest fire escape

A few weeks ago, someone posted a photo to Facebook of the new Crow’s Nest staircase showing a fire escape obstructing the view.

I was wrong. @robshots and @angelomorinello were right. To learn more, read on.

It looked ridiculous. There was a gunmetal gray structure blocking the view. It was absurd. I thought it could not be real and posted a photo showing a view of the fire escape from the bridge to the Maid of the Mist elevator.

Rob Bennet challenged me with a different photo. Always trust Rob. When the Gazette dies, he will still be here, like me, Ken Cosentino and Mark Scheer.

My opinion was based on the view from the bridge before the Maid of the Mist elevator. I did not venture into the crunched space between the big crane and the waterfall and look at the fire escape from the same perspective as Robshots.

The story has a happy ending. Morinello posted of the obstructed view.

The state removed the scar.

I was wrong. The new staircase will be open next year. It was originally estimated to cost $4 million. When bids came in at $6 million, construction was delayed a year.