Space shuttle mock-up moving to maintenance yard next week

DOWNEY -- City crews will begin relocating the space shuttle mock-up next week to its new location at a city maintenance yard. Due to its size, the shuttle will be moved in separate pieces Tuesday and Wednesday.

Transport will take place intermittently between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. both days. The shuttle will be transported along eastbound Congressman Steve Horn Way, then south on Bellflower Boulevard, ending at the maintenance yard at 12324 Bellflower Blvd.

"The city understands that relocation activities of the Inspiration Space Shuttle mock-up may impose various inconveniences to businesses and the local community, and we will make every effort to minimize these inconveniences," city officials said. "However, the city appreciates the public's cooperation to reduce traffic impact and to complete the relocation as soon as possible."

The mock-up was built in 1972 by Rockwell International and had been kept recently under a temporary tent outside the Columbia Memorial Space Center.

Prior to that, it had been in storage at Downey Studios for decades.

For questions, call maintenance and facilities superintendent Grissel Chavez at (562) 271-3243 or senior civil engineer Desi Gutierrez at (562) 622-3458.