PROSPECT – Last year, more than 72,000 people took the 50-second elevator ride to the observatory atop the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, which offers unmatched panoramic views of eastern Maine.

Those involved with managing one of the state’s newest tourist attractions think that’s just the beginning.

The observatory, which sits 420 feet above the Penobscot River, officially re-opened Thursday morning for its second year. Representatives of the Maine Department of Conservation, the Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Department of Transportation, the Friends of Fort Knox and others gathered early Thursday afternoon for a small ceremony that they hoped would help expand on a successful inaugural season.

“People have been asking me ‘Why are we doing this? Didn’t we already do this?” DOC Commissioner Patrick McGowan told a small crowd at the base of the observatory tower. “Well, the fact is, we’re going to do this every year because the more we bring attention to this attraction, the better it’s going to be for everyone.”

The observation deck was incorporated into the $85 million Penobscot Narrows Bridge project, which was built to replace the 77-year-old Waldo-Hancock Bridge. The bridge opened in December 2006, but the observatory didn’t open until last May.

DOT Commissioner David Cole said the project represents a tremendous collaboration among many different groups who share the same vision.

“When we embarked on this, it looked good on paper, but the question was ‘Would people come?’ I think we’ve answered that,” he said.

Aside from the link between the transportation and conservation departments, Cole also lauded the Fort Knox historical site for its partnership. For $5, patrons get to visit both the Penobscot Narrows Observatory and Fort Knox.

“One of the things Maine is known for is working together, and I think this is the best example of that,” said Michael Celli, president of the Friends of Fort Knox, adding that he thinks this year has the potential for more than 100,000 visitors. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Celli said some changes are planned for this year, including extending hours in July and August to 7 p.m. and midnight during full moons.

“We had to turn some people away last year late in the afternoon, and we hate to do that,” he said.

Already by Thursday afternoon, about 50 visitors had come through the site, including Joseph and Sheila Swanson of Monroe.

“We had been meaning to come down last year, but we never did,” Sheila Swanson said. “It was a great day for it, and we didn’t have to wait in line or anything.”

Sen. Richard Rosen, R-Bucksport, who was on hand for the ceremony, said May is a great time for Maine residents to visit the observatory.

“We know this will be a destination for people outside the state, but we really encourage Maine residents to take advantage,” he said.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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