Natural materials encouraged in rebuilding of Sunset bridge
Resident discourages synthetic supplies; officials agree
While the city engineer is weighing his options for the rebuilding of the Sunset Lake foot bridge, officials are encouraging him to use natural materials.
The historic bridge was damaged during Hurricane Sandy and has been barricaded since days after the storm. The city council approved a $450,000 bond ordinance to repair the bridge at the Jan. 16 council meeting.
City engineer Joe Cunha said that his department was weighing its options and trying to “keep an open mind” when planning to rebuild the bridge.
“Cost is going to be an issue,” he said, adding that he will likely have a design proposal for the bridge ready at one of the two February meetings.
The city is hoping for total replacement of the bridge, but “trying to get a feel for FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency],” Cunha said. “It depends on the funding and the total costs.”
The bridge will likely be funded through a mix of insurance money, FEMA funds and some taxpayer dollars, as will all of the city’s other hurricane repairs.
City resident Werner Baumgartner spoke at the meeting to encourage city officials to use natural materials.
“You really shouldn’t consider any synthetic materials at all,” he said. “Natural materials are the way to go with this bridge. It’s part of an urban landscape that’s one of the oldest landscapes in this entire city. That corridor of Sunset Park and Sunset Lake is a significant asset to the city in historic terms and landscape terms.”
Deputy Mayor John G. Loffredo, Mayor Ed Johnson and city manager Terence Reidy all expressed agreement with Baumgartner.