March 3, 2005

Mayor Tells $654,000 ‘Grants’ Project to Move Historic, Old Vera Cruz Iron Bridge To Bluffton

AFTER 20 YEARS --It was in 1985, 20 years ago, when this historic, landmark Vera Cruz iron bridge went out of service, replaced by the present modern concrete bridge on the new routing of the highway a little east of the old bridge. Thus, this old bridge has stood isolated over the two decades, as pictured above Wednesday. Under the plans announced today by Mayor Ted Ellis, this bridge will be dismantled and moved for reassembly and rehabilitation in the Bluffton location near Stogdill Road.It will become another pedestrian bridge in one major aspect of large $654,000 project with many grant funds. This bridge at Vera Cruz is said the only Double Whipple Truss bridge remaining in Indiana. In case you’ve forgotten, the old iron White Bridge was replaced in 1987.

By JIM BARBIERI

Being unveiled this noon by Mayor Ted Ellis in his State of the City address was a history-making three-part, four-funding source $654,000 project to acquire and move the long-idled landmark Vera Cruz iron bridge to the Stogdill Road vicinity in Bluffton.

There it will become another pedestrian Bridge across the Wabash River to a proposed dirt trail leading to the pedestrian-bicycle trail that heads eastward from Ind. 201 just north of the White Bridge and extends eastward to Ouabache State Park and the trail system there.

The three-part acquisition actions include:

-- Buying a 32-acre tract from the three Tonner brothers, Brent, Brian and Dean, north of the river but just south of the Wabash Valley residential development -- bordering that 115-acre Bluffton-owned farm being converted into a natural wetland in a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On the other (west) side the Tonner property borders existing city owned land that includes the City Water Filtration plant.

-- Acquiring that historic ex-Vera Cruz iron bridge to be moved and restored across the Wabash at Bluffton to the cited foot-trail toward Ouabache Park.

-- Buying the residence of the late Ruth Frank at the northeast corner of East Wabash St. and Scott Street (205 East Wabash St.).

Regarding the project costs, the taking down, moving, reassembling and rehabilitation the ex-Vera Cruz Bridge is estimated at $500,000.

The Tonner property acquisition has been figured at $85,000, although Mayor Ellis said this may be a little high.

The ex-Ruth Frank property acquisition, demolishing and turning into a grass lot is figured at $69,000 including closing costs.

These add up to the $654,000 total.

For the four-way funding, Mayor Ellis listed:

-- $117,000 available in remaining funds from the city’s Wabash River Heritage Corridor grant of a few years ago for Wabash River Park (next to the ex-Frank place). Mayor Ellis said the state authorities already have given this a green light with enthusiasm about the project.

-- A grant of $85,080 being sought from the Heritage Trust, the special license plate-funded source that provided the money for that 115-acre “farm” buy by the city to curtail a large environmental penalty. Word on this grant could come later this week.

--The largest portion of the fund needs are sought from the Indiana State Transportation Enhancement Act (ISTEA) fund source in the amount of $400,000 -- an 80-20 (federal-local) program on which Bluffton appears to have a major boost because of the historic iron bridge preservation.

--Mayor Ellis said these three sources would leave Bluffton in need of $51,000 to $52,000 (precisely $51,920) for the match money as the only home fund cost.

The mayor proposes to do this $51,920 with money from the late Bob Covault’s gift to the city in his will. A major leader for Bluffton Revitalization and other city progress, Covault left the $125,000 sum in hopes of a good project use or uses.

The fund has mounted to $135,157.60 with interest. Mayor Ellis has in mind a suitable market honoring Covault’s contributions to Bluffton progress and well-being if the project can move as indicated.

Some steps, including acquisitions, are expected to be carried out in the coming weeks and months. The whole project could take about 18 months -- extending well through 2006 and possibly to early 2007 for finishing details.

The former Vera Cruz Bridge is the only remaining “Double Whipple Truss” bridge in the state -- one of the very few anywhere.

Mayor Ellis said that back when the Crosbie Main Street Bridge Rehabilitation was being discussed, he attended a bridge meeting on those matters in Fort Wayne, and a woman in charge of property disposal for INDOT sought to give him the bridge for Bluffton on the spot just for signing to take it. He asked for more time.

There were other new thrusts and plans in the Ellis State of the City today, some major ones in a separate story today.

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