Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wayne County engineering seeks extra funding to research Ferry Street bridge historic status before reconstruction
Summary
County engineers requested a $25,733.26 amendment to design services to research the Ferry Street bridge's historic status and obtain State Historic Preservation Office and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits; staff warned that historic designation can add time and $20k'$30k in upfront documentation costs.
Wayne County's engineering team asked the commission to approve an amendment to a design contract so consultants can investigate whether the Ferry Street bridge is historically significant and pursue necessary federal and state permits before reconstruction.
Tammy Kaldi, speaking for the county engineering/design team, said the extra work is required when a structure is determined to be historic: "If it is determined to be a historical bridge, there are a lot of extra steps required from us... we have to document the whole history of the bridge, take photos and make sure everything is being preserved," Kaldi said. She estimated the documentation step alone can cost "sometimes from $20 to $30,000." The amendment with Great Lakes Engineering Group, exercised as an option to renew and extend the term, would not exceed $25,733.26.
Commissioners asked whether the bridge is safe for use and whether designation increases maintenance costs. Kaldi said the bridge remains open to traffic and that if it were unsafe the county would close it; she also said the state does not generally provide maintenance funding for historic structures but does require comprehensive documentation for preservation.
Why it matters: Historic designation can materially change the scope, schedule and cost of a reconstruction project by adding permitting, documentation and preservation obligations and may require additional coordination with SHPO and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
What's next: Engineering will proceed with the expanded historic investigation under the approved amendment and return with more detailed cost and schedule information for the commission to consider before major reconstruction work.
