Pedestrian Bridge over the river now in question


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OmahaRiverFront.com - RIVER NEWS

Pedestrian Bridge over the river now in question

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	12/19/02 - Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge design unveiled

Nancy Neurohr
OmahaRiverFront.com

published: 3/16/2004

he dream of building a pedestrian bridge to connect Nebraska and Iowa's riverfronts may never become a reality after bids from potential contractors came in at twice the amount initially proposed.

The controversial project drew bids from only two of the five companies that were pre-approved to bid on it. Fru-Con Construction Corp. of Longmont, CO submitted the lowest bid at

Artist's rendering, by Figg Bridge Co. of Omaha and Council Bluff's proposed Pedestrian Bridge Project.

$44,942,000 while Massman Construction of Kansas City, MO submitted their bid at $50,286,498. The bridge was initially proposed as a $22.6 million project.

Initial plans for the bridge require it to be 2,566' long and carry pedestrians on a 20' wide deck (23' including railings). Bridge designers envisioned two suspension towers designed to look like giant sails, symbolizing the cooperation between Omaha and Council Bluffs. The bridge would connect two development projects on each side of the river, Riverfront Place in Omaha and One Renaissance Center in Council Bluffs.

The public would have free use of the bridge and be able to stroll along the majestic structure while enjoying a view of the river below them. The $20 million difference in construction costs has now left little doubt that construction will not begin this summer as planned and the 2006 completion date is probably out of the question.

What brought the construction companies to the conclusion that it would cost this much to build the bridge is still being determined but what is known is that the money is not there. Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerry secured $17 million in federal grants as part of his back-to-the-river project while he was still in office. Additional funds were to come from a $1.7 million federal planning grant, $1.5 million from the States of Nebraska and Iowa and $1 million from the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District. Even private fund-raising efforts would not be able to raise enough to cover the difference so it now looks like either the entire project will be squashed or the designers need to go back to the drawing board.

The question remains - is this project really necessary and worthwhile? It probably depends on who you ask. Many visionaries think the bridge would be a centerpiece for the entire riverfront development project and be something so unique and different that it would draw tourists in the same way as the arch in St. Louis, MO has. Others think it is a big waste of money and may even encourage suicide attempts and mischief seekers.

We'd like to know your opinion. Submit us your comments on this subject and we will publish as many as possible.

Comments from Readers

I am really torn. On one hand, it would be something very 'unique and different'. On the other hand, unless it was guarded and/or watched 24 X 7, it would almost for sure invite more suicide attempts than highway bridges. And I would be willing to bet that with in 7 days, there would be graffiti on it and that you would never be able to stop. - Ken Cratty

There will always be people who want to cause problems. Omaha and Council Bluffs should not stop the bridge because of these people, they should build it for the people who want to have a river front to be proud of. - J. Murphy

It's a great plan and something very unique. I think it would bring a lot of character to the riverfront as well. As far as suicide attempts and graffiti, i think there will always be the people who cause problems but overall i don't think it would be as big of problem as you may think. - Joe

I think it is a wonderful design and would bring more tourism and money into Omaha. I would be willing to donate money to the bridge. I am sure others would as well. To see a city grow while you live in it is the greatest thing, to go with a less interesting design would be a waste of money in my opinion. - David Dodd

I think this is a great idea and is something that will set Omaha apart. We are known for very little other than Buffett, Omaha Steaks, and the College World Series... I think we should also be known as a city that takes finacial risks to be a progressive city and draw attention to the "O!" brand. Otherwise, we should just be called "0" (zero). - Sean M

I think they should go ahead and build the bridge as originally designed no matter the cost...get the money from somewhere. Vandalism and jumpers will be rare...I'm sure they can find someone to occasionally watch it with today's technology...Omaha NEEDS THIS. - David Jones

There is a NEED for this bridge. It would be a safer alternative than riding or walking across the interstate bridge like people do now. There is no real reason that the bridge has to be so elaborate to make it cost more. There are other ideas that would cost less and still be quite impressive. - Dean

The bridge would be a great connection for both cities. It would provide a safe way to cross the river instead of using the highway bridge to cross the river. If we don't have all the money for the bridge we need to scale back the design. All that I would like to see, other too, is for a safe way to get over the river. - Steven Dickey

What a perfect way to span the distance between NE & IA. It would be such an asset to the Riverfront projects both completed and in the process. - Maggie

If we want the American discovery trail to come through this area we better step up to the plate and make this happen. A standout different design would also be good for tourism. Could become the cities trademark. What's our trademark now? Normal cheapo straight over bridge would not be very interesting. Think of parking at One Renaissance Center in CB on a sunny and 77 degree day and walking over to a riverside concert, Taste of Omaha, or Rick's. We need to make this happen and keep the observation platform in as well. Keep with the big picture, if we let suicide attempts curb development we would still be crossing the river on ox drawn ferries. - TOB

Building this bridge should be priority # 1 for the city. I go to Heartland Park and Lewis and Clark Landing at least once a week to walk. I've walked the new trail from L&W Landing to Miller Landing 2 times already and its only been open a couple weeks. The Riverfront Development is still fairly bland looking compared to what I was hoping for. The Bridge was to be the crowning jewel to keep the Riverfront from being just another Riverfront Development, as so many cities have or are doing, to being something fairly impressive. Bridges, especially bigger and impressive ones are people magnets--if they can walk on them. Almost every visitor who comes for the World Series or for conventions is going be drawn to that bridge, where without it, maybe half of conventioneers will go to the Riverfront and maybe 1 in 10 CWS'ers will go. Plus business travelers to downtown are much more likely to take a quick visit to the Riverfront if the bridge is there, whereas without it, I bet not many of them at all will run down there. And all these people that go down there because of the bridge are going to go home and tell people about this really cool bridge Omaha has and likely say that Omaha is not such a bad little city. Plus with this bridge, more locals will come also. On a Fri or Sat night, instead of hundreds of people down there on the Riverfront, you could see a thousand people milling around.
All in all, I think with both private and public funds, about $1.5 billion has been spent downtown in the last 5 to 6 years. And with the bridge re-design in May or June, the $20 million shortfall has been narrowed to $4 to $5 million. Lets be reasonable, after spending $1.5 billion, we can't let $5 million get in the way of the Riverfront getting a A instead of a B. The free PR and future image building that visitors will create as they go home and talk about this incredible bridge that Omaha has and how its surprisingly a "neat city," is worth $5 million alone. Also, I think the bridge alone could be the determining factor in a Convention Coordinator persuading at least one group a year or more in bringing there convention to Omaha. Why do I belive that? Because when a convention is choosing among similarly sized cities to us, like Des Moines, Wichita and Tulsa, this bridge could tip the scale. All these cities have an Old Market Style area, they all got good convention facilities, and I know at least Tulsa and Des Moines got re-developed riverfronts. But they will not have this pricey, big and gorgeous Bridge. Its our ace in the hole. One more convention a year at the minimum, and the economic effect they have on the city, could pay for the $5 million shortfall in one or 2 years. And the plus side for all us residents, we get a more beautiful Riverfront to enjoy day to day. Lets build it, we have a lot to lose and much to gain. - James

I think they need to stop worrying about money and do what it takes to make this happen. What they've done these past few years to the downtown area has been the best thing for Omaha and people who have an opinion of Omaha or as they say "where is Omaha". So as a former Omahan now in the Air Force please build this Riverfront Place with the bridge because it wouldn't be the same without it and show everyone what a great city Omaha is. Dazzle them. - JJ Weinzetl

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