Ypsilanti to close portion of Riverside and Frog Island Park pedestrian bridge for repairs
The pedestrian bridge, pictured here, connects Riverside Park with Frog Island Park. The bridge will be repaired for the next two to three weeks.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com file photo
Portions of the Ypsilanti pedestrian "tridge" that connects Riverside Park and Frog Island Park will be closed for two to three weeks intermittently.
The partial closure became effective Wednesday, April 10.
Ypsilanti and the Washtenaw Community College Construction Institute are collaborating to upgrade the walking surface of the three-point bridge and pedestrian traffic will be re-routed during repairs, said Stan Kirton, director of Ypsilanti's Department of Public Services.
"We're just going to close sections at a time," Kirton said. "We're going to do a re-decking project and we'll leave parts open."
The WCC students, led by Christy Lindermann and Loukas Kovanis, will provide the labor for free and the city will provide the materials. Kirton said the materials, wood and fasteners, cost about $9,000.
Kirton said if the city were to hire a contractor to do the work, the project costs could have ballooned to nearly $70,000.
"It's a good deal for us and we don't have to pay a contractor," Kirton said.
Kirton said the city received complaints about the bridge from residents.
"It's been there for quite some time," Kirton said. "It's getting a little worn."
Kirton said the repairs should last for about 20 years.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
ahi
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 5:45 p.m.
About 6 months ago someone kicked some boards out of the tridge deck and someone fell at least partially through while it was dark requiring an ambulance. Glad this is getting a refurb.
Honest Abe
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 5:28 p.m.
Not a fan of Stan Kirton, by the way, but I'll save that for another day.
tim
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 6 p.m.
If Kirton said it, it probably isn't true.
Honest Abe
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.
I love, love Riverside and Frog Island! Now, we need to catch the taggers/spray painters and prosecute them! Seems they always come along and 'tag' something, such as the pavillion, side of the bridge or the pedestrian bridge itself. I almost caught them one night- I was coming across the bridge and could smell the fumes from the spray paint, and I glanced at the wall/handrail of the pedestrian bridge and saw fresh spray paint dripping down the wood.
Murf
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Funny...not sure why this comment is getting the thumbs down unless taggers read this. I've seen it in the last week or two on the bridge as well as the historical marker in Prospect Park.
LC
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
The Depot Town CDC doesn't exist any more. They folded several years ago.
Midtowner
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 5:31 p.m.
The city shouldn't be in business with organizations that aren't sustainable. Council was foolish to partner with this organization in the first place.
Andrew Jason Clock
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 5:18 p.m.
Yes, they did. After they were railroaded by city council.
Andrew Jason Clock
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
This isn't actually costing the city anything. This is paid for with the $1000 per day capitol improvement fee that the city charges to the big events in the park on top of mandatory rental, police, fire and maintenance fees. This fee was put in place because the city kicked out the CDC group that was paying ALL maintenance costs in the park, from major repairs to mowing the lawn, picking up trash and chopping down the weeds. The city council played a petty political game back then, and everyone else was left to pay for their foolishness. So, it's nice that the city at least found a way to spend someone else's money more efficiently, but this is a cost that the city didn't need to pay at all. If you want to thank the people really paying for this repair, thank the Summer Beer Festival, Elvisfest and Heritage Festival. They paid for this and for the repairs in Candy Cane park last year. At least they actually get some value for their money out of this one, as it's going to improve the park they actually use.
Solitude
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 8:38 p.m.
"So, it's nice that the city at least found a way to spend someone else's money more efficiently..." By the way, whose money do you think the Depot Town Community Development group was spending? Someone else's, collected from them by way of ticket prices, etc. You think they paid for park maintenance from their own pockets?
Solitude
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 8:24 p.m.
Why shouldn't city taxpayers get some long-term benefit from the use of their tax-dollar-supported city facilities by outside groups, many of whom profit from the use of city parks and infrastructure? Your sour grapes are showing.
umfan
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
Yes a very "creative solution", that is, until it falls apart. You get what you pay for and there is a reason contractors get paid what they do.
tdw
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.
Well, that's funny my brother built our back deck when he was in high school.It's still solid as a rock. Oh.....and he built it around 79 or 80'
treetowncartel
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
I'm wondering what the Carpenter's union thinks about this. Watch out for your tires students.
sdrawkcabsiispy
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
This is the same arrangement that the cdc group set up before they were kicked out of the parks. Surprised it took the city this long to figure out how to save some money.
Depot Town
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
what is the cdc up to nowadays? the last i heard, they'd taken all of the elvisfest money as well as the depot town merchant's money.
Katrease Stafford
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
I agree. When I spoke with Stan, one of my first questions was "how much will this cost the city?"The difference in what the cost would have been with a contractor vs.the students is worth noting. To see a partnership like this take place between a local college and municipality is great. Like Murf said above, it's a win-win for everyone involved.
RFD
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 12:40 p.m.
I've worked with Christy Lindermann in the past on Habitat for Humanity building projects. She had been very involved in training and oversight of Habitat volunteers, on the building sight as well as teaching/mentoring students toward getting their builders licenses at WCC. Not surprised that she is still finding ways to give back to the community. Thanks to all involved in this project.
Ross
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 12:36 p.m.
Ditto to Murf and DGpicard. This is a great and creative solution.
dgpicard
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 12:18 p.m.
Nice to see a sensible solution being applied to the problem. Good job on giving these students a chance to ply their craft and save the city of Ypsilanti about $60K. Kudos all the way around.We need more people to come up with some creative solutions to problems. Good job Stan Kirton for being open to thinking outside the box.
Murf
Thu, Apr 11, 2013 : 11:37 a.m.
Good news! Some of those boards were getting a little dicey. I also love that they work in connection with WCC. Ypsi gets an updated bridge (and before that, the gazebo along the river in Riverside Park which the construction students did as well) and the students get to add something to their resume. A win-win.