Historic Preservation Commission to review options to save stone bridge in Bever Park

CEDAR RAPIDS - Options to save an old stone bridge in Bever Park will go before the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission next month.

Park supporters and historic preservation advocates pushed back as word spread the bridge could be taken down or moved. The 100-year-old structure has fallen into disrepair and has been gated off for safety purposes.

'Certain aspects of the park that reflect the heritage should be preserved, and the bridge is a perfect example,” said Phil Freeman, 63, who brought his children to the park when they were young and on Thursday visited with his 3-year-old grandson, Ramon.

The bridge served as a backdrop for his kids' senior pictures, he said.

City officials now say the bridge will not be removed and will remain in place near the entrance to Old MacDonald's Farm within Bever Park, 2700 Bever Ave. SE. The question remains what to do about it.

'In addition to full bridge restoration, we are also exploring a culvert under the bridge as an alternate means of support,” said Maria Johnson, Cedar Rapids spokeswoman. 'Both of these options would keep the bridge in its current location.”

An engineering contractor met with city staff to inspect the bridge and assess options last week. City staff will present options and cost estimates at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12.

The city is looking for parties interested in contributing money to help save the bridge, Johnson said.

The matter came before the Historic Preservation Commission meeting earlier this month as city officials sought ways to save the bridge and were looking for the commission's help.

Jeff Hintz, a city planner, said the parks department was considering demolition as part of a creek project because they didn't have a way to fix it.

Mark Stoffer Hunter, historian for The History Center and chairman of the commission, noted stone structures in Bever Park have been disappearing over time, which erodes the historic character of the park.

'There's a strong sentiment in the public of how much will it take and how can I help out,” Stoffer Hunter said. 'People are very attached to this particular item.”

The bridge was built sometime between 1909 and 1914 and was once used as part of a park road for vehicles, but in later years was mainly for pedestrians, Stoffer Hunter said.

Gail Loskill, spokeswoman for the parks department, said staff members believe the bridge has never had any major updates. As the deck of the bridge began deteriorating, the parks department replaced the deck and mulched over it for several years, she said.

About a year ago, the city discontinued repairs and closed off the bridge because it became too dilapidated to fix, she said. On Thursday, a gaping hole was visible in the bridge deck from several feet away and the underside is crumbling.

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