East Thirteenth Street trestle prompts neighborhood plea to preserve or sympathetically replace bridge

A Village East Davenport resident urged the Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 14 to press the city to pursue a rehabilitation approach, or a lower-profile replacement, for the railroad trestle at East Thirteenth Street rather than allowing a high concrete overpass that would permanently alter the neighborhood street pattern.

Why it matters: The trestle is an identifiable historic feature in the East Village neighborhood and, residents said, contributes to neighborhood character, tourism photography and property values. The resident asked the commission to encourage design alternatives that preserve access on both East Thirteenth and Mound streets and keep the bridge elevation close to the existing…