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Riverfront to Minto Bridge
Would you support the construction of a bicycle/pedestrian bridge and pathway that connects Riverfront Park to Minto-Brown?
Click on the following pictures to view the proposed bridge route:
South Terminus of Trail - Boise-Cascade Gate - looking north
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Southern end of path - looking south
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South third of path - looking south
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Halfway point - looking south
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Halfway point - looking north to downtown
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North end of path - looking north to Riverfront Park
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West bank of slough - looking south from Riverfront
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Gravel Bar from west bank
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East bank - looking north to Eco-Earth
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Eco-Earth Perspective of entire path
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Click here to send us Your Feedback!
For the last 16 months, a committee of citizens has been exploring the feasibility of this project. The goal is to build a bridge connecting Riverfront Park to Minto-Brown. The bridge would extend from the bank near the south end of Riverfront Park (near the Eco-Earth Project) and cross the slough. From there we intend to construct a connecting bicycle/pedestrian pathway built on an easement through the Boise Cascade property. This pathway will then connect to the existing pathway on the north side of Minto-Brown Island Park.
The committee has done its homework. We feel confident we have the necessary pieces in place to see this project completed within the next two years. What we need now is a show of support from various groups in the Salem area. We feel our customer base is a great resource for feedback. Please let us know whether you support or oppose such a connection.
The following summarizes what the committee has achieved to this point:
Bridge Connecting Riverfront Park to Minto-Brown Island Park
RATIONALE:
- Necessary link for downtown accessibility to 3 major city parks:
- Riverfront Park
- Wallace Marine Park – via current Center St Bike Path or Union St Bridge
- Minto-Brown Island Park – This bridge and connecting 3/4 mile path
- Creates recreational opportunities - Safety for pedestrians, bicyclists.
- Commuting possibilities from South River Rd
- Supports Downtown Housing.
- Responsible use of environmentally sensitive area.
- Educational – Interpretive Trail / History of Salem / Re-connect to the River
- Enhance visitors downtown experience – Convention Center / Surrounding businesses
- Livability! – Salem Hospital recruiting over 100 new physicians over the next 5-10 years.
- City Council has made this project a priority for the next fiscal biennium:
Salem City Council 2005-2006 Priority #3. Infrastructure and Maintenance
Attain and maintain adequate infrastructure to ensure livability and economic viability.
Strategies: C. Build a Minto-Brown pedestrian/bike bridge.
- Meets the Governor's Willamette River Initiative: Repair. Restore. Recreate.
DETAILS:
- Distance of Bridge Span: Appx 306 Ft.
- Estimated Cost of Bridge = $2 Million.
- Distance of Path: 3900 Feet (about ¾ mile)
- Estimated Cost of path [from west landing of bridge to connection of existing path in Minto-Brown]: $450,000 = 12ft wide asphalt paved (ADA) + 2ft wide gravel shoulders.
- The City of Salem currently has an existing renewable easement agreement with Boise-Cascade for this connection.
- Cash Value of Permanent Easement = Would be considered Matching Funds
- Plans for a bridge linking Riverfront Park to Boise-Cascade land across the slough is within the boundaries of the Urban Renewal District
- Urban Renewal District monies would be considered Matching Funds
- Initial Estimate on Cost of Entire Project: $2.5 Million
- In-Kind Donations currently pledged: $300,000 +
- Total funding commitments/grants available to date: $1.6 Million
- Need to raise an additional $900,000 to $1 Million
WHAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED SO FAR:
- Estimates of costs / possible timeline / identifying funding sources
- Site Scoping Trip to identify Endangered Species Act Compliance needs: December 1, 2004.
- NOAA Fisheries; ODFW, Staff from David Evans & Assoc (Bridge Engineering)
- DEA Biologists – Currently aware of project and currently reviewing it
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED PERMITTING:
- Federal Biological Assessment – Formal Consultation Required – Level 3 – 135 days
- City of Salem Permitting – Conditional Use Permit
- Corps of Engineers / State Lands – Fill Removal Permit
IDENTIFYING PARTNERS:
- The Mayor and Salem City Council Priority
- Salem Department of Community Services / Parks Dept.
- Salem Downtown Association (Strong Letter of Recommendation Confirmed 2/16/05)
- Salem Chapter of the Audubon Society (Presentation to Board of Directors on 3/1/05)
- Salem Chamber of Commerce
- Salem Convention and Visitors Association
- Congresswoman Darlene Hooley
- Salem Area Bicycle community/clubs
- Salem Area Running community/clubs
- Willamette Wanderers: Volkssport Club
- Boise-Cascade
- VIPS – Salem Convention Center
- Keizer Chamber of Commerce (Strong Letter of Recommendation)
OTHER POSSIBLE PARTNERS STILL TO BE CONTACTED:
- Salem Hospital Foundation, Salem-Keizer School District, The Salem Foundation, National Audubon Society, other charitable trusts.
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CONSTRUCTION PLAN AND MOST LIKELY SOURCES of MATCHING FUNDS:
Construction of Bridge Linking Riverfront Park to Boise Cascade Right of Way.
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Local Government Grant
- Grants announced 2/7/05 – DUE 4/15/05 – Grants Awarded in Aug/Sept 2005
- Uses Lottery dollars for development and rehabilitation projects for public park and recreation areas and facilities. $8 Million available / Max grant $500,000 = Matching Funds. This project meets and exceeds grant requirements.
Construction of Connector Path [from west landing of bridge to existing path in Minto-Brown Island Park.
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Recreation Trails Grant
- Grants announced Oct/Nov 2005 – DUE Feb 2006 – Grants Awarded in March 2006
- Awarded for maintenance and restoration of existing trails; development and rehabilitation of trailhead facilities; construction of new recreation trails; or acquisition of easements and fee simple titles to property.
- Grant recipients must provide a minimum 20% match. Projects must be completed and costs billed within 2 years of project authorization.
Creation of Interpretive Trail along the entire length of project.
- National Park Service: Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
- Examples of Funded 2003 Local/Regional Projects:
- Stayton Waterways, Parks & Trails Network – 2 trails (1.2 & 2.0 miles), trailhead, restrooms, trailhead info. Trails connect 3 existing, but separate parks. Also includes acquisition and restoration of 57 acres of open space.
- Tillamook Interpretive Trail – Interpretive signage along estuarine environment.
- Willamette Greenway Project – Willamette Restoration Initiative: Greenway includes water trails, land trails, connections to parks/open spaces, and provide for restoration opportunities.
- Examples of Funded 2004 Local/Regional Projects:
- Woodburn – Mill Creek Greenway - The development of a greenway that connects city parks, schools, neighborhoods and the downtown business district. The greenway will support recreation and trails, stormwater management, wildlife habitat, and archeological studies.
- Continuation of funding for Willamette Greenway Project
Again - thanks for your support. Your note of support or opposition really does help!
Click here to send us Your Feedback!
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