Scrape It Off, Scrape It Off

The Atlantic ^ | Nov 11, 2015 | Alan Taylor

[Daffynition]

On a wall in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, thousands of pounds of chewing gum have built up over the past 20 years, stuck there by locals and visitors, eventually becoming a tourist attraction on its own. This week, the millions of gum wads are being scraped and steam-cleaned away, in a move to preserve the historic buildings, according to a story in The Seattle Times. The Times also reports that the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority plans to weigh the removed gum before throwing it out. There are apparently no plans to prevent the gum wall from returning once the cleaning is complete.

[Daffynition]

It's Seattle. What can I say.

Don't miss the pix at the source.

[azishot]

I wish I hadn’t known it was gum before I saw it. It is kind of cool, though....in a yucky way.

[ponygirl]

My great-grandfather probably did some of the masonry work on those buildings. It would be nice to see it again.

[Daffynition]

The word you are looking for is *ambiance*.

[Keli Kilohana]

Someone let Elf know about the free gum.

[Daffynition]

Your GGF did something useful. Then there's the....

Gum wrapper chain

[Daffynition]

[Daffynition]

Noone told them.....

[Falconspeed]

San Luis Opisbo, CA has a similar wall downtown. Interesting but gross.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“There are apparently no plans to prevent the gum wall from returning once the cleaning is complete.”

Proving, without a DOUBT that this IS a Taxpayer Funded Project at the Government’s Largess!

[Daffynition]

I didn't realize that....The only thing I remember about SLO is the Madonna Inn. ;)

[bigbob]

The gum is probably all that’s holding the place together!

[Delta 21]

I dont chew gum but I would hock a couple of fresh lugys into the mix just so I didnt FEEL left out.

[Daffynition]

We’ll soon find out. ;)

[Daffynition]

TMI :)

[r_barton]

Maybe they should move the wall to Wrigley Field.

[Daffynition]

HAHAHA!

[roadcat]

Why scrape it off? I would have sprayed a gum-eating bacteria and fungus spores on it, then some nutrients, followed by cactus and mushrooms. It would be an eco-friendly green solution and be a source of pride for liberal Seattle. Plus a feeding site for the many homeless residents there.

[Falconspeed]

Good memory. The Madonna Inn is a great family owned business with a wonderful rooms and a huge lawn outside for rodeos and car shows.

[Gaffer]

This is what America the Melting Pot looks like today with its modified immigration actions.