PLEASE READ; You may be aware that the Iowa House and Senate passed a bill this session that provides seed money (think an engineering study and initial funding) to restore the Jackson Avenue Bridge on the Raccoon River in downtown Des Moines. This is great news for all who appreciate this historic bridge and all it means to trail lovers and active outdoor Iowans. In the last few months, we have learned there are many who support reopening of this 1898 bridge on the Meredith Trail, which is variously known as the SW Fifth Street Bridge or simply the green bridge. It once served as a vital link for working families who lived in neighborhoods south of downtown. Now, this bill needs help from supporters like you to contact Governor Branstad, expressing your support. Would you have time in the next few days to fire off an e-mail or letter to the Governor’s Office? It’s key you let your voice be heard this week so the bridge restoration can move forward. Here is the language that provides funding for recreational trails and historically significant trail bridges. The language is incorporated in the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund appropriation bill (SF 2349, page 2): “Of the amount appropriated in this lettered paragraph, $1,000,000 shall be used only for grants to refurbish existing trail bridges that have documented historical and architectural significance. A grant recipient that received funding pursuant to the allocation in this paragraph shall not receive more than $500,000 for a project and the grant recipient shall provide at least a dollar-for-dollar match from both private and public sources excluding funding from the state. Any match requirements regarding federal moneys shall not apply to grants received from moneys allocated in this paragraph.” Yes, the language is about the Jackson Avenue Bridge. It also provides funding for other (yet unidentified) trail bridges elsewhere in Iowa. This bill is among the unsigned legislation on the governor’s desk. (thank you to Carl Voss for bringing this to our attention)
Posted on: Sun, 25 May 2014 21:26:57 +0000
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