Birds of a feather: Merchants flock for eagle effort project

When Libby Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanda Jennings approached the Libby City Council last month about putting the world’s largest bald eagle on Mineral Avenue, she had no idea she was asking the wrong governing body.

On Monday night, Libby City Council’s Park Committee Chairwoman Peggy Williams let it be known the land in the center of the cul-de-sac on Mineral Avenue — where the city Christmas tree is located — does not belong to the city. Instead, it belongs to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

“We’ve changed our focus. I’ve already been in contact with the BN people,” Jennings said after a gathering with merchants on Mineral Avenue on Thursday morning. 

“All of these people support it, and most have signed a petition in support of it. We need something on this end to bring business down here,” Jennings said. “It’s cliche, but I know if we build it, people with come.”

Jennings, with the support of merchants, is spearheading the effort to bring the World’s Largest Eagle to Libby. The current record-holder is 48-feet wide and located in DollyWood in Tennessee.

The plans are for the Libby eagle to have a wingspan 50-feet and be placed tall above the cul-de-sac and be lighted. It would compliment the eagle at the south end of the business district.

To raise funds for the $50,000 project, the chamber is selling chances for $10 apiece. The winner will take home the Todd Berget eagle in front of Big Sky Lumber.

“It will be big enough for everyone to see,” Jennings said.