The Park & Tree Committee learned during its Sept. 18 meeting about some vintage mugs they might be able to use to help raise money for the repair of Weddle Bridge.
Community and Economic Development Director Blair Larsen said city staff recently found two boxes in storage containing white mugs with a black image of Weddle Bridge printed on them. During the meeting, they briefly discussed how they might use the mugs as a money-raising opportunity for a much-needed fund.
Staff shared with The New Era a report by Oregon Transportation Professionals LLC that indicated moderate and heavy decay in the floor beams and various spots in the cords and stringers. They provided 14 recommended repairs and strategies for the bridge, including painting, and replacing floor beams and other parts, that should be addressed within the next three years.
The most pressing matters include replacing four floor beams and repairing a couple of timber truss members. The recommendations included a total estimated cost of $93,250, which staff said is actually too low according to their research.
While staff consider how they will go about addressing the priorities of the bridge, Planning and Building Manager Angela Clegg said the city is currently focusing on completing the Phase III project of Sankey Park before grant funding is lost for it. Once the city is able to secure matching funds for the project, they expect to begin focusing more on the needs for Weddle Bridge.
No decision was set in stone yet about how the found mugs will be used, but some might be available at the Harvest Festival for anyone who donates $50 or more to the bridge project, Clegg said.
Ben Dahlenburg, who was instrumental in the rebuilding of Weddle Bridge over Ames Creek and “intimately” knowledgeable about the structure, told The New Era that the mugs were used in the late 1980s or early 1990s as a fundraising mechanism for the installation of the bridge in Sweet Home. There are at least two known versions of the mugs with different designs.
Dahlenburg said he believes the nonprofit, Cascades Forest Resource Center, sold the bridge to the city for $1, and it’s likely the leftover mugs were a part of the package as the organization closed down. Sort of like a “buy a bridge, get a few mugs” deal.
During the meeting, Clegg reported that city staff met with a Linn County employee who, they said, has a lot of experience with bridges and gave staff some fundraising ideas for Weddle Bridge. Staff will also reach out to city leaders at Mill City, who held their own successful bridge campaign.
A $10,000 grant from the Sweet Home Community Foundation, in addition to $75,000 in city funds will help the city kickstart minor repairs underneath the bridge, Clegg said.
“It’s not gonna even remotely cover what needs to get done, but it’ll at least get this started,” Clegg said.
In other business:
- The committee was informed the Beautification Committee’s final clean out date for the medians will be Sept. 24.
- Per a request, staff informed the committee there is not enough money in the budget to support the purchase of replacement shirts.
- Clegg informed the committee that progress toward the new park at Osage and 42nd is “kind of on hold” while staff try to figure out funding for the infrastructure (water, bathroom utilities, street improvements, etc.) before the playground structure can be put in. The city plans to purchase the playground equipment with a matching grant from GameTime.
- Larsen informed the committee an engineering firm is expected to have initial trail designs for Sankey Park’s Phase III ready for review next month. The design should be completed by the end of the year for the city to then turn out a Request for Proposal.
- The committee briefly discussed plans for Harvest Festival.
- Larsen updated the committee on the development of an updated Parks Master Plan, which went before the Planning Commission as a public hearing the day following this meeting. Another public hearing will be held at the Oct. 8 City Council meeting for final adoption.
- Committee member Debra Northern reported that “muck” is plugging up Johnson Creek as it comes into Sankey Park from 16th Avenue and Fir Street.
- Committee member Lena Tucker reported the new dogwood tree near Weddle Bridge is showing signs of scorch from hot weather, suggesting the committee keep an eye on city trees for scorch and be prepared for a need to replace dying or dead trees. Tucker also reminded the committee about the emerald ash borer, which has not yet been found in Linn County, but is close.
- Committee member Nancy Patton asked about a property at 27th Avenue and Foothills Drive, which, according to her, needs maintenance. Larsen explained the land is privately owned, but may actually be at risk of going into foreclosure. He said the property has no buildable value to it, so it would have to remain as-is; perhaps, at best, a little “parklet.”