The world's second-germiest tourist attraction has come undone since Seattle took steam cleaners to its famous “gum wall.”
Last week, crews cleaned up the site near Pike Place Market, where tourists and locals have been sticking their used chewing gum for the past 20 years.
The wall was plastered with wads of gum in a kaleidoscope of colors, some stretched and pinched into messages, hearts and other designs. The gooey gobs were also used to paste up pictures, business cards and other mementos.
In 2009, travel website TripAdvisor ranked the sticky site as the No. 2 most bacteria-laden attraction in the world. It came in second after Ireland's Blarney Stone, which sightseers kiss in hopes they'll be rewarded with the gift of gab promised by legend.
On Nov. 10, a fruity, sweet smell wafted through the alley as workers in protective suits blasted the dried gum with moist air.
“I just hope that the citizens of Seattle don't hate me for removing the gum wall,” said Kelly Foster, general manager of clean-up contractor Cascadian Building Maintenance.
People first began smooshing their gum into the wall while waiting for shows at the nearby Market Theater. The “gum wall” has expanded to adjacent alley walls, pipes, and even the theater's box office window.
There were about 2,200 pounds of gum on the walls, according to a rough calculation by Emily Crawford, a Pike Place Market spokeswoman.
Market officials hope to contain where people park their gum in the future but say they aren't sure they can make the rules stick.
