After Google got the whole world riled up about their mysterious floating buildings in Maine and San Francisco, it looks like the mystery may already be coming to an end before Google revealed the barge's true purpose. The Portland Press Herald is reporting that at least one of Google's four barges is being sold for scrap.
“On Wednesday, a tugboat towed the barge from Rickers Wharf Marine Facility in Portland and deposited it at Turner’s Island Cargo Terminal in South Portland. Roger Hale, owner of the terminal, said the structure had been purchased by an unnamed “international barging company” and was being prepared to leave Portland for an ocean voyage to an undisclosed location.
The containers, though, will be disassembled at Turner’s Island and scrapped, said Lance Hanna, deputy harbor master for Portland Harbor.”
The project had run into issues with various government agencies and had even been forced to move at a couple points, so its likely that the headache wasn't worth the hassle for Google. Rumors of the barge's purpose ran the gamut from retail showrooms (complete with a party deck) to floating technology centers, or in Google's words, “interactive spaces where people can learn about new technology”.
Regardless of its purpose, Google's futuristic looking barges got people talking, even inciting a bit on The Daily Show. The fate of the remaining three barges has yet to be announced, but if Google decommissioned one for legal or practical purposes, its hard to imagine they'll continue work on the other three. Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on Google's mini man-made islands.
Via: 9 to 5 Google
Source: Portland Press Herald
