CORE
VALUE
CORNER to protecting Racine ’ s historic landmarks . Their objective was to find ways to preserve and enhance the beauty of the bridge . It was the City and designer ’ s job to achieve that without affecting the WisDOT and City budget .
It did not come as a surprise to Rooney that groups like Preservation Racine would be involved . The bridge and surrounding area had always been a point of interest for Racine . The structure , designed by a pioneer in bridge design , also connects two parks designed by Jens Jensen . Jensen was a renowned landscape architect responsible for many City parks along the Root River that best represented his “ long view .”
“ I had to explain to them that replicating the bridge is going to be very expensive and may not even be possible ,” Rooney said . “ The Department of Public Works is the steward of taxpayer dollars and ultimately responsible , so how do we approach this ? We took into consideration how much funding WisDOT contributed through our State- Municipal Agreement and what the local budgeted cost share was .”
During meetings , some great ideas were presented but didn ’ t seem possible to execute . The problem being , how would the City remain within the project budget but also retain the historic beauty the community desired ?
The bridge ' s newly built arches do not offer structural support but were constructed to please the eye while remaining in the City of Racine ’ s allotted budget . The two-for-one solution simultaneously addressed Rooney ’ s budget concerns while also satisfying Preservation Racine ’ s objectives of enhancing the bridge ’ s beauty and protecting the history of the City .
“ From the Ayres charrette with the community , that ’ s when they came up with a solution : Let ’ s replicate the look of the bridge with faux arches .”
John Rooney , Commissioner of Public Works
www . AyresAssociates . com 7