Work begins on wire rope workshop restoration
2026-09-15 06:00:00
Borough manager Steven May stands in front of the Roebling Wire Rope Shop on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Crews from Grossman Construction were making structural repairs Monday afternoon, Sept. 14, to the historic structure on Rebecca Street in Saxonburg, where the borough’s co-founder, John Roebling, experimented with the wire rope which would play a vital role in the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and other Roebling-designed suspension bridges.
The structure has been sinking into the ground since at least 2017, and the borough raised $325,000 in donations and grant money over the past few years in its effort to save the workshop.
Nick Christie prepares to jack up a beam up at Roebling Wire Rope Shop on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
The Roebling Wire Rope Shop sits above its final resting place, awaiting a new foundation and renovations, while an old wire rope tensioner sits on display Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.
Matt Grossman, left, and Nick Christie discuss what is needed for the final jacking procedure, under the Roebling Wire Rope Shop on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Matt Grossman, right, raises a beam by millimeters while Mike Christie assists Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Architectural plans sit inside the unfinished Roebling Wire Rope Shop on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Matt Grossman, left, and Nick Christie make final preparations for jacking on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Old tree support beams meet new steel beams during renovations at Roebling Wire Rope Shop on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
The Roebling Wire Rope Shop sits above its final resting place, awaiting a new foundation and renovations, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mike Christie double-checks that the Roebling Wire Rope Shop remains level Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
The Roebling Wire Rope Shop sits above its final resting place, awaiting a new foundation and rennovations, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
The Roebling Wire Rope Shop sits on temporary steel beams while renovations take place underneath on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
The Roebling Wire Rope Shop sits above its final resting place, awaiting a new foundation and rennovations, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Roebling Park in Saxonburg. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
