Bridge will not stay in place

The “Big Blue Bridge” will not be staying in place.

Whether it will be moved elsewhere or scrapped still remains a question.

Rural Portland resident Jenny Bricker presented Portland City Council with her latest update on the bridge Monday, saying Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has decided to move forward with its removal.

INDOT has a project scheduled for this spring to remove the Indiana 26 (Water Street) bridge over the Salamonie River on the eastern edge of Portland. It would be replaced with a new concrete structure.

Bricker, who has led a group attempting to save the bridge, explained that she and several local government leaders were informed at a recent meeting that INDOT officials said the cost of the project continues to rise — an estimated $4.3 million to replace the bridge and an estimated $5.7 million to restore it in place. INDOT will not change its plans to replace the bridge, she added, but has offered to dismantle the bridge and move it to be stored if a local government unit will commit in writing by March 15 to covering the cost of that process. The bridge could then be relocated.

The price tag for dismantling, cataloging and moving the bridge to be stored — Bricker suggested Jay County Fairgrounds and said she has other options if that does not work out — is $500,000. INDOT would need to be reimbursed within one year of the removal, which is expected in May.

Bricker asked council members Kent McClung, Janet Powers, Don Gillespie, Michele Brewster, Matt Goldsworthy, Mike Aker and Dave Golden to consider accepting financial responsibility for that $500,000.

She also asked that the city consider contributing $100,000 to the effort, with a goal of bringing in the remaining amount needed via fundraising.

Powers asked about the estimated cost of putting the bridge back together in a new location — Bricker suggested across the pond at Hudson Family Park — after it is dismantled and stored.

That is estimated at $2 million, Bricker said. She said donations, fundraisers and grants could be pursued to cover the cost.

Council took no action on the issue.

Answering questions from multiple council members, city attorney Wes Schemenaur said the next step in the process toward a Wendy’s being built at 514 N. Meridian St. is a request for a zoning variance.

He explained that initial design of the Wendy’s parking lot does not comply with the city’s zoning ordinance, which requires the Race Street entrance to be at least 70 feet from Meridian Street. Wenzak, the firm that has purchased the land with plans to open a Wendy’s, will seek a zoning variance to allow the design to move forward during a board of zoning appeals meeting set for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Community Resource Center.

If approved, construction is ready to move forward. If denied, the planned fast-food restaurant would need to be redesigned to comply with the city’s zoning ordinance.

Answering a question from McClung, Schemenaur said Phase I and Phase II environmental studies have been completed on the property and show no environmental issues.

In other business, council:

•Heard from Boggs that a start date has not yet been set for the planned Meridian Street storm sewer project. The mayor said after the meeting that the planned INDOT paving of Meridian Street (U.S. 27) through the city for this year has been moved to 2024, which eliminates previous time constraints to complete the sewer work.

•Was informed by the mayor that he is hoping to have Indiana Brownfields remove a petroleum tank from the southeast side of the Bailey Building property on Main Street on the west side of the downtown area. The city is in the process of accepting bids for demolition of the structure. (Indiana Brownfields has already committed to removing three petroleum tanks from the former Sheller-Globe south building at 510 S. Bridge St.)

•Again discussed on-call pay with wastewater department superintendent Brad Clayton, who last month proposed implementing $300 and a take-home vehicle for employees required to be available if problems arise at the treatment plant. Council members and Boggs expressed concern about making sure any such policy change is equitable across departments. Boggs ultimately said he will consider the request as he puts together his proposed salary ordinance later this year.

•Approved the following: Updates to police department rules and regulations regarding beards and use of Jay County Sheriff’s Office’s firing range; A $5,000 contribution to Arts Place’s summer concert series at Hudson Family Park.

•Received clarification for Portland assistant police chief Michael Brewster that golf carts will need to be inspected each year in order to receive a permit. (He noted that permits issued in 2022 are good through April 30.)

•Heard McClung clarify policies for public comment and meetings. Those interested in speaking need to request to be on the agenda by 4 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the meeting. (Public comment is also allowed when council is considering an ordinance.)