Red Bridge efforts progressing

Red Bridge champion Joe Otto got good news from the Jasper County Board of Supervisors last week. The board gave Otto and the Jasper County Historical Society of Iowa permission to apply for an Emergency Historical Resource Development Program grant through the State Historical Society of Iowa.

“It is an emergency grant for historic properties that are threatened by the elements or neglect,” Otto said. “Red Bridge meets both of those criteria.”

The overall goal for Red Bridge is to have the historic Jasper County landmark removed from it current location on the Skunk River and moved to Colfax where it would be featured as a walking path from downtown Colfax to Quarry Springs Park. Getting the bridge off of the river is phase one of three phases for the project.

The grant, which could total up to $50,000, would be used to help fund phase one by removing Red Bridge from its piers with a crane and place it on the north bank of the river, in the right-of-way of Red Bridge Street. Even with the $50,000 in grant funds, Otto said the project would need an additional $32,000 to get the work done. He said he’s started a pledge drive to raise the money and has already secured about $4,000.

As a part of the first phase, the bridge would need to be placed on the bank near the river for an extended period of time while fundraising continues for the second phase. Property owner Daniel Nolin reached out to Otto himself and offered to let the bridge be set down on his land until it could be moved to its final destination. He made this offer at no cost to the project.

To continue the efforts following phase one, the bridge will need to move from its current location near Reasnor to Colfax and Quarry Spring Parks in phase two. The final phase has the bridge rebuilt on the river and ultimately used as a walking path from downtown Colfax to the park.

Should the project receive the grant, Otto said the museum would need to become the temporary owner of the bridge from the county. Should the museum gain ownership, it is Otto’s hope the county would retain the liability of cleaning it up in the event it collapses either before it can be moved from the river or if it collapses during or after it is moved.

“These are discussions that would need to happen down the road,” Otto said. “I’m asking for that because that is the status quo now. It is not really asking for anything additional, just keep holding the bag for me while I try to get this thing saved.”

County attorney Mike Jacobsen said he could see the Red Bridge being similar to a project completed in Madison County. Jacobsen said the bridge was sold to the City of Winterset for $1 and an Iowa Department of Transportation State Recreational Trail Program grant was used to help fund the more than $1 million project.

“What I really appreciate is that you really cover everything,” supervisor Doug Cupples said. “It doesn’t appear as though you are trying to keep anything from us. I appreciate your honesty.”

The deadline for the grant submission is April 25 with projects funded in this grant cycle to be notified by July 1.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com