Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bridge Beautification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee seeks more bids for bridge "beautification" after contractors report high costs
Summary
Hendersonville committee discussed two bridge facades that have lost stone veneer, reviewed contractor quotes (strip and paint vs. replace stone), and voted to pause a decision while staff solicits a bid from Centurion for Drakes Creek Bridge and returns next month.
Committee members and a volunteer beautification group described ongoing deterioration of stone facades on two local bridges and reviewed contractor assessments and cost estimates.
Kathy Katz, who has led the city’s bridge beautification efforts and described prior work on a bridge at Indian Lake Boulevard, presented contractor input and photo documentation. Staff said an RFP earlier drew no responses and that one contractor’s evaluation suggested the original installation omitted recommended materials (a mesh and proper adhesive), contributing to the failure of the veneer. Staff reported they had removed roughly half the stone to prepare for either replacement or painting; painting would not recreate the original texture or appearance.
Contractor quotes presented in committee included about $33,000 to strip, clean and paint a street‑side face (scope excludes the water side) and roughly $38,000 for a similar strip/paint scope on Drakes Creek Bridge; a contractor indicated they could add stone replacement for an additional cost but would not guarantee long‑term adhesion. Committee members discussed the cost differences between stripping and repainting versus removing and reinstalling stone, and whether the city had in‑house masonry expertise. Staff said the parks maintenance group previously used an employee with masonry experience on the first responders monument but could not guarantee capacity to relayer stonework for larger projects.
The committee voted to continue the discussion and asked staff to request a formal bid from Centurion for Drakes Creek Bridge and to return with cost comparisons and budget options at the next monthly meeting. The motion to seek Centurion’s bid and revisit the item passed by voice vote.
