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It is the purpose of the Bridge Street Token Club
that 111 Bridge Street will always remain available
for suffering and recovering alcoholics
and the associated family groups.
The large downstairs meeting room will seat 50-60 people around the long center table and walls.
The New Hope Al-Anon Group meets several times a week in their upstairs facilities at 111½ Bridge Street. Another
room on the second floor is frequently used for adjunct "non-smoking" meetings,
and other activities. The second floor also includes full kitchen facilities.
The relaxing entrance area warmly welcomes you to the Home of the CHIPS Group at the BSTC.
But, you might not be received as warmly if your Sponsor gets hold of you in the "Meditation" room. "Tuff Luv"
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The History In the spring of 1990, a CHIPS member discovered a building on Bridge Street, sadly in need of repair, part of an estate administered by a local bank. The two story building had an abandoned doctor’s office on the ground floor, with small rooms off a long hall. The second floor was a four room apartment with bath and kitchen. The roof had a huge leak - in the back half of the building both floors had been virtually destroyed. No one was impressed: it seemed that repairs would require too much work and way too much money. How it Happened Despite the extreme challenge, a deal was struck with the Bank - they would fix the roof and the CHIPS Group would repair the rest. The renovation done by the group would serve as rent payment for the next two years. The Franklin County Jailer let it be known that he had a complete construction crew housed in the jail, who, of course, would be delighted to be out of jail during the day time. One member volunteered the use of his credit account to purchase materials. Another member used his contractor's discount with a building supply company. A member donated the funds to purchase a new air conditioning system. A plumbing contractor installed the air conditioning and restored the unsafe, non-functional heating system, charging only material costs and labor expenses. Members gave up countless lunch times to get supplies and materials. One member made an unending series of trips to the dump, hauling debris and discarded materials. Finally: CHIPS, and the crew from the jail, was able to start work on the renovation. Carpeting was furnished by some anonymous member... Materials and supplies mysteriously appeared from nowhere... The Franklin County School Board wanted to rent three rooms for offices... which would help pay the expenses... The Jail Crew went to work, alongside members of the group. Somehow, the first floor areas became viable... And then: On October 6, 1990 the CHIPS Group opened their new home with a pot luck supper, honoring the jail inmate construction crew as guests. An open AA/Alanon Speaker meeting followed — — the FIRST meeting at 111 Bridge Street. top Progress, not Perfection: In March 1991, The jail crew was back - at work upstairs, removing the old debris and remodeling the kitchen. A member donated kitchen cabinets Plumbing and materials were purchased at cost or at a discount. As 1991 moved on a day at a time, two members began discussions with the bank about the possibility of a group committee purchasing the property. Throughout 1992, those discussions proceeded. A third CHIPS member knew the banking business well, and worked with the bank to arrive at the terms of a purchase agreement. The bank appraised the property, and noted all of the improvements made by the group. Because of the increase in the property value due to the work and materials supplied by the CHIPS Group (and the jail crew!) a down payment would not be required. The Bridge Street Token Club is formed Realizing that the CHIPS Group, in keeping within the Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, could not own property, various members of CHIPS and its associated family groups began a series of informal meetings to tackle the issue. Then, in December 1992, the Bridge Street Token Club was incorporated. The BSTC became the owners of 111 Bridge Street on December 29, 1992. The BSTC rents its facilities to the C.H.I.P.S. Group of Alcoholics Anonymous and the New Hope Al-Anon Family Group . A Dream is Fulfilled The Mortgage was paid in full before the end of 2006! A Note Burning Ceremony was held on December 2, 2006, at 111 Bridge Street — — just 14 years after the commitment to purchase the property. The script for that ceremony is available here: http://chips.ourspecial.net/bstc/note.htm Weddings of Group members have been celebrated, and wedding anniversaries observed “at the Bridge”. Recovery and growth oriented seminars are often held “at Bridge Street”, with those non-AA specific groups renting from the BSTC. Derby Parties and other festivities for members of AA and AlAnon are frequent. 111 Bridge Street has hosted numerous AA district meetings. Token Club Members and AA’s alike just hang out. Sometimes musicians, who belong to the building in some fashion, get together and jam..., and their music drifts across the Singing Bridge, toward downtown Frankfort, and echoes down the Kentucky River Gorge... as does the message of recovery sound joyfully from those rooms and facilities secured by The Bridge Street Token Club, at 111 Bridge Street, Frankfort, KY. The BSTC Bylaws Articles of Incorporation The Mortgage Note Ceremony CHIPS AA Group Home Page top |
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The Bridge Street Token Club is located at 111 Bridge Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
The lifeline is 502-227-2708
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