Local volunteers outline plan, fundraising for historic interurban bridge as city assumes ownership

Volunteers and preservation advocates told council they are organizing technical and fundraising support for the historic interurban bridge the city recently took ownership of.

Dave Weber asked whether the city wants to restore the bridge to a functional and historic state and urged the city to pursue grant opportunities. He noted a State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) process and a deadline for an initial certification step on August 19 that feeds into the National Park Service review, and recommended the city request placement on ODOT’s bridge list to be eligible for a Bridge Investment Program (VIP) grant cycle beginning in November.

Russ Schiller (representing local preservation efforts) described community momentum: an advisory engineering team, a pledged $5,000 from local supporters for inspection work, and offers of support from Bowling Green State University’s history and engineering departments. "We have a $5,000 pledge, which our estimate is that's an annual inspection," Schiller said, and he described regular engineering oversight and weekly ODOT drone updates to track work.

Council members thanked volunteers for technical assistance and fundraising outreach. Administrator John Kochenauer said staff will integrate volunteers into grant-writing and planning processes but cautioned that some steps (for example, ODOT’s reconstruction work) must progress before the city can advance specific design or funding commitments.

The council did not approve new funding at the meeting but affirmed continued coordination between staff and preservation volunteers.