Whitewater Creek Bridge relocat
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MEMORANDUM
October 11,2004
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Relocation of Historic White Water Creek Bridge
The State Historic Preservation Office has awarded a $30,000 grant to the City of
Dubuque for relocation of the historic White Water Creek Bridge to a planned bike/hike
trail in the Bergfeld Recreation Area in Dubuque Industrial Center West. The bridge will
be located on the overflow spillway for the detention pond in the Rec Area.
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens is requesting City Council approval to
proceed with compliance with a Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal
Highway Administration, State Historic Preservation Office Dubuque County and the
City of Dubuque, for relocation of the historic White Water Creek Bridge.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
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MEMORANDUM
October 8, 2004
TO:
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager'~
RE:
Relocation of Historic White Water Creek Bridge
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request City Council approval to proceed with
compliance with the enclosed Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal
Highway Administration, State Historic Preservation Office, Dubuque County, and the
City of Dubuque, for relocation of the historic White Water Creek Bridge.
The State Historic Preservation Office has awarded a $30,000 grant to the City for
relocation of the historic bridge to a planned bike/hike trail in the Bergfeld Recreation
Area in Dubuque Industrial Center West. The bridge will be located on the overflow
spillway for the detention pond in the Rec Area. A map is enclosed.
DISCUSSION
This historic bridge was constructed in 1872 as part of an approach span for a bridge
over the Mississippi River at Dubuque. It later was relocated to White Water Creek, 15
miles southwest of Dubuque near Cascade. In the 1990's Dubuque County determined
the bridge was no longer able to handle vehicular traffic, and had to be replaced. In
1998, the City of Dubuque agreed to accept ownership of the bridge from Dubuque
County, and to preserve it through reuse on a bike/hike trail in the city.
City Engineering and Planning Services staff evaluated several sites in the community
for relocation of the historic bridge before determining that the Bergfeld Recreation Area
was the most compatible. Upon consultation, City Leisure Services staff, City Economic
Development staff, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation staff, and former
County Engineer Mark Jobgen were supportive of relocating the bridge to the Bergfeld
Recreation Area.
White Water Creek Bridge
Page 2
The State grant will help fund a consulting engineer to conduct a structural analysis of
the bridge, to develop specifications for moving the bridge to Dubuque, and to prepare
construction plans for the new bridge abutments in the Bergfeld Recreation Area.
The consulting engineer also will prepare specifications for rehabilitation of the bridge in
accordance with the Secretary's Standards. The cost of moving the bridge and
constructing the abutments are included in the project budget. Rehabilitation will be
accomplished as a future phase, hopefully with another grant.
The cost to relocate the White Water Creek Bridge was estimated to be $50,000 by
former Civil Engineer Mike Felderman. The HRDP grant is for $30,000. Former Public
Works Director Mike Koch determined that $20,000 in the Bridge Maintenance Fund
was available for the local cash match for this project. (The Bridge Maintenance Fund is
an Engineering Division CIP that had an FY04 balance of over $130,000.)
Additional required local match of $5,000 for the HRDP grant will be provided by the
Engineering and Planning Services staff's time commitment for administering the grant
and coordinating design, bidding and construction inspection with the consulting
engineer.
RECOMMENDATION
One of the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement is that Dubuque County and the
City of Dubuque provide information to the State Historic Preservation Office about the
relocation site. The State Historic Preservation Office has 30 days to review and
comment on this information. The County and the City have to take into account any
comments the State offers about the proposed site.
To proceed with compliance with the Memorandum of Agreement, I recommend that the
City Council authorize:
. The Mayor to sign and send the enclosed letter to the Dubuque County Board of
Supervisors asking for their concurrence with the selected bridge relocation site.
. The Planning Services staff to submit the required information to the State
Historic Preservation Office for their review and comment on the bridge
relocation site upon receiving that concurrence from the County Board.
Enclosures
cc
Gus Psi hoyos, Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer
Bob Schiesl, Civil Engineer
Office of the Mayor
and City Council
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
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October 19, 2004
Eric Manternach, Chairperson
Dubuque County Board of Supervisors
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE:
Relocation of White Water Creek Bridge
Dear Chairperson Manternach:
The purpose of this letter is to request Dubuque County's assistance in relocation of
the historic White Water Creek Bridge.
This historic bridge was constructed in 1872 as part of an approach span for a bridge
over the Mississippi River. It later relocated to White Water Creek, 15 miles southwest
of Dubuque near Cascade. In the 1990's Dubuque County determined the bridge was
no longer able to handle vehicular traffic, and had to be replaced. The City of Dubuque
agreed to accept ownership of the bridge from Dubuque County, and to preserve it
through reuse on a bike/hike trail in the city.
In 1998, the City of Dubuque signed the enclosed Memorandum of Agreement with the
Federal Highway Administration, State Historic Preservation Office, and Dubuque
County for relocation of the historic White Water Creek Bridge.
The State Historic Preservation Office has awarded a grant to the City for relocation of
the historic bridge to a planned bike/hike trail in the Bergfeld Recreation Area, which is
a park along Seippel Road in Dubuque Industrial Center West. The bridge will be
located on the overflow spillway for the detention pond in the Recreation Area. A map
is enclosed.
City Engineering and Planning Services staff evaluated several sites in the community
for relocation of the historic bridge before determining that the Bergfeld Recreation
Area was the most compatible. Upon consultation, City Leisure Services staff, City
Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
Relocation of Historic White Water Creek Bridge
Page 2
Economic Development staff, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation staff, and
former County Engineer Mark Jobgen were supportive of relocating the bridge to the
Bergfeld Recreation Area.
The State grant will help fund a consulting engineer to conduct a structural analysis of
the bridge, to develop specifications for moving the bridge to Dubuque, and to prepare
construction plans for the new bridge abutments in the Bergfeld Recreation Area.
The cost of moving the bridge and constructing the abutments are included in the
project budget. The total project cost will be covered by the State grant and City funds.
One of the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement is that Dubuque County and the
City of Dubuque provide information to the State Historic Preservation Office about the
relocation site. The State Historic Preservation Office will review and comment on this
information. The County and the City have to take into account any comments the State
offers about the proposed site.
I respectfully request that the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors concur with the
selected bridge relocation site, and provide a letter of concurrence that City staff can
submit to the State Historic Preservation Office along with other required information
about the site. Your support will enable the City of Dubuque to proceed with relocation
and reuse of this historic bridge.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Terrance M. Duggan
Mayor
Enclosures
RELOCATION OF
WHITEWATER CREEK BRIDGE
TO THE
BERGFELD RECREATION AREA
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INTERGOVERNMENT AL AGREEMENT
FOR THE WHITE WATER CREEK BRIDGE
This Intergovernmental Agreement is made and entered into by Dubuque County,
Iowa and the City of Dubuque, Iowa for the White Water Creek bridge.
Whereas, Dubuque County will replace the White Water Creek bridge built in 1872
with a new bridge; and
Whereas, Dubuque County is interested in the historical significance of the bridge
and in keeping the bridge in Dubuque County; and
Whereas, Dubuque County has purchased the right-ot-way and temporary
encroachment area for storage of the historic bridge; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque is interested in salvaging the historic bridge for
future use in the City's planned bicycle and pedestrian network.
NOW, THEREFORE, Dubuque County, Iowa and the City of Dubuque, Iowa agree
that:
1. Dubuque County will pay to move the bridge off the creek and onto the adjacent
storage site.
2. Dubuque County will pay for the short-term storage ot the bridge for a minimum
of three (3) years.
3. The City of Dubuque will pay to move the bridge from the storage site to a
determined location within a tentative schedule of three (3) years, as Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (lSTEA) or other federal or state funds
become available for the relocation of the historic bridge for a city bicycle and
pedestrian trail.
4. If the City of Dubuque is unable to move the historic bridge from the storage
site, then the City will have the option to offer it to another county or
organization, negotiate an extension of the storage or salvage the bridge for
materials.
5. The City of Dubuque will assume ownership of the historic bridge after the
acceptance of the bridge project by the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors.
6. The City of Dubuque, upon assuming ownership, will provide liability insurance
coverage and any casualty coverage the City may deem necessary for the
historic bridge.
This Intergovernmental Agreement has been passed, approved and adopted by
Dubuque County, Iowa and the City of Dubuque, Iowa on the respective dates
listed below.
DUBUQUE COUNTY. IOWA
By: (JL~ IJZ~ ~
Alan Manternach, Chairperson
Dubuque County Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
, Mayor
y Council
ATTEST:
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DATE:
JlIDe 16, 1997
MEIMORAtNJDUIM
IOF AGJRlEtEMlEtNJ7i
SUBMITTED TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION
PURSUANT TO 36 CRF 800.6(a)
WHITEWATER CREEK BRIDGE
Dubuque County, Iowa
BROS-9031 (28)--8J-31
WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has
determined that the transfer of the pinned Pratt style
through truss structure, known as the Whitewater Creek
Bridge, FHWA structure #146040, in order to construct a new
bridge to carry local road traffic over the Whitewater Creek
15 miles southwest of the City of Dubuque would have an
adverse effect upon this property which is el igible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP),
and has consulted with the Iowa State Historic Preservation
Offi cer (SHPO) pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800 regul at ions
implementing Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. Section 470f).
WHEREAS, representatives of Dubuque County and the City of
Dubuque participated in the consultation and have been
invited to concur in this Memorandum of Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, FHWA and the Iowa SHPO agree that the
undertak i ng sha 11 be imp 1 emented in accordance with the
following stipulations in order to take into account the
effect of the undertaking on historic properties.
5.
WHITEWATER CREEK BRIDGE
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STIPULATIONS
FHWA will ensure that the following measures are carried out:
1.
Dubuque County wi 11 transfer legal and physical
ownership of the truss span of the Whitewater Creek
bridge to the City of Dubuque for preservation of the
structure th rough reuse at a site on a 1 oca 1
recreational trail.
2.
The covenant, attached as Appendix A, shall be completed
between the City of Dubuque and the Iowa SHPO setting
out the obligations of the city for the maintenance and
preservation of the bridge.
3.
The City of Dubuque shall, in consultation with the
SHPO, have the bridge relocated to its new site by a
professional mover who has experience in moving historic
bridges properly.
4.
Dubuque County and the City of Dubuque shall provide
information to the SHPO about the new site for the
bridge. SHPO shall have 30 days to review this
information. The county and city shall take into
account any comments SHPO offers about the proposed site
before making a final decision about moving the
property.
The Iowa DOT shall submit the final version of the
documentation attached as Appendix B to the Iowa SHPO.
This Historic American Engineering Record study records
the bridge in its existing setting.
CO V E NAN T
4. In the event of a violation of this covenant, and
in addition to any remedy now or hereafter provided by
law, the SHPO, or FHWA may, following reasonable notice
to the City of Dubuque, institute suit to enjoin said
violation or to require the restoration of the, truss
bridge. The successful party shall be entitled to
recover all costs or expenses incurred in connection
with such a suit, including all court costs and
attorneys' fees.
5. The City of Dubuque agrees that the SHPO ,may at his
discretion, with prior notice, convey and assign all or
part of its rights and responsibilities contained
herein to a third party.
6. This covenant is binding on the City of Dubuque,
its successors and assigns, from the date of this
instrument for as long as the location of the bridge is
maintained as a recreational trail. At such time as
the truss bridge through damage or deterioration of
structural members by natural causes may become unsafe
as a load bearing structure, the City of Dubuque shall
have sole responsibility regarding disposition. Prior
to any such disposition; however, the City of Dubuque
shall provide SHPO a report from a qualified,
registered engineer (mutually agreed upon by SHPO and
the Board) stating the bridge is structurally unsafe
fo~ trail purposes and that repairs, rather than
replacement, would not be economically practical.
7, Restrictions, stipulations, and covenants contained
herein shall be inserted by the City of Dubuque
verbatim or by express reference in any deed or other
legal instrument by which it divests itself of either
the fee simple title or any other lesser estate in the
truss bridge or any part thereof.
8. The failure of the SHPO to exercise any right of
remedy granted under this instrument shall not have the
effect of limiting the exercise of any òther right or
remedy or the use of such right or remedy at any other
time.
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Appendix A
CO V E NAN T
In consideration of the conveyance of certain real property,
hereinafter referred to as the truss bridge, located in the
County of Dubuque, State of Iowa, which is more fully
described as:
Cast and wrought iron, 8-panel pin-connected Pratt
through truss bridge spanning Whitewater Creek 4 miles
southwest of Bernard, Iowa; NWI/4 Section' 36, Township 87
North, Range 1 West; Whitewater Township, Dubuque
County, Iowa
The City of Dubuque hereby covenants on behalf of itself and
its successors and assigns at all times to the Federal
Highway Administration and the State Historic Preservation
Officer (SHPO) to maintain and preserve the integrity, design
and form of the truss bridge as follows:
1. Upon completion of the new bridge and road which
will replace the truss bridge, the City of Dubuque
agrees to assume all legal and financial responsibility
for this historic bridge. Furthermore, the City of
Dubuque agrees to maintain the truss bridge as
necessary in order to preserve and enhance those
qualities, as detailed in the attached evaluation by
Fraserdesign, which make the truss bridge eligible for
inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
2. No construction, alteration, remodeling or any
other thing shall be undertaken or permitted to be
undertaken on the truss bridge which .ould affect the
structural integrity or appearance of the truss bridge
without the prior written permission of the SHPO signed
by a fully authorized representative thereof.
3. The SHPO shall be permitted at all reasonable times
to inspect the truss bridge in order to ascertain if
the above conditions are being observed.
WHITEWATER CREEK BRIDGE
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Execution of this Memorandum of Agreement by FHWA and the
Iowa SHPO, its subsequent acceptance by the Counc i 1, and
implementation of its terms, evidence that FHWA has afforded
the Council an opportunity to comment on this bridge
replacement project and its effects on historic properties,
and that FHWA has taken into account the effects of the
undertaking on historic properties.
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
By:
Iowa Division Administrator
Date
IOWA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
By:
Date
Concur:
Dubuque County Board of Supervisors
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By: /~,~ ~. n ~
Alan Manternach, Chair
April 7, 1997
Date
Concur:
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By /tM 1-
June 16,1997
Date
ACCEPTED for the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation
By:
Date