Erie's most recognizable structure, The Bicentennial Tower, turns 25 years old this year.  It's now an Erie icon. It's on television ads.  It's on post cards.  An image of the tower can be seen in the background during every drawing of the Pennsylvania Lottery.  Guess what's on the cover of Erie's official tourism guide?

"The tower is prominently displayed in virtually everything that we do,” says John Oliver, President & CEO of Visit Erie.

The tower is so popular now, it's hard to believe that some people did not want to see it built 25 years ago.   A 1995 article in the Erie Times-News reported that legendary City Councilman Mario Bagnoni wanted to place the issue on the ballot.  His sarcasm about the project oozed through the newspaper copy.

"Why don't they put up a Ferris wheel too," he said to fellow council members.

An April 16, 1995 article in the Erie Times News reported that "Some citizens have questioned whether the 180 foot tower is too big and would dominate the waterfront."

Joyce Savocchio was mayor when the city's bicentennial commission proposed building the tower.

"I learned during my years as mayor that whenever there's any kind of change, you're going to get pushback.  And so there was,” she said.

The newspaper eventually published an editorial backing the tower.  It called the criticism "…reflexive negativity that too often afflicts civic life in Erie."

Of course, the commission members prevailed.  Oliver believes they were true visionaries for Erie's waterfront.

"The thought and the concept in building this back in the beginning was certainly far-reaching in thought in looking at the future.  Because certainly this tower has been an iconic symbol for Erie,” he said.

Savocchio hopes the current city leaders hold a ceremony marking the tower's 25th birthday.