Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Bismarck makes park choices

Bismarck makes park choices

Feb 28, 2008 - 04:06:50 CST

By GORDON WEIXEL
Bismarck Tribune

The Bismarck City Commission made its choices, or rather the wishes of the people, for the park that will accompany construction of the new Liberty Memorial Bridge.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation is awaiting Bismarck's input on the park project so final decisions can be made by the director, said NDDOT's Ben Kubischta, who, along with Ulteig Engineers' A.J. Wallevand, met with the commission on Tuesday.

The Mandan City Commission was asked to make similar decisions for a park, which will be built on the Mandan side of the Missouri. Mandan is contributing $145,000 to the project, while Bismarck is providing $125,000.

Kubischta said a public input meeting was held on Jan. 31 and participants were given an opportunity to make selections on various alternatives for park amenities.

The choices, Wallevand said, included:

* Additional park lighting or creation of earth art areas, featuring the use of low maintenance, native ornamental grasses.

* Use of full color or sepia color for interpretive panels depicting the old bridge, which the new one replaces.

* Whether the base supporting the panels would be a simple block or more natural base, resembling the river under the bridge.

* The use of miniature piers to support the panels, resembling either the old bridge piers or new piers.

* Preservation of either a lattice or joint remnant of the old bridge which will be displayed in the park.

The panels and bridge remnant are required as part of the mitigation of replacing the old bridge, Kubischta said.

The public favored the additional lighting, sepia tone, natural base, old pier miniature replicas and lattice joint. Similar choices were made by the Mandan city commission.

"The public had their vote, so I'll go with what they want," Commissioner Steve Schwab said.

Commissioner Sandi Tabor said she agreed, and a motion to confirm the choices passed on a 3-0 vote.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

co wrote on Feb 29, 2008 12:46 AM:

" The art along the river is fascinating & I enjoyed it immensely when I lived in ND.
Have you ever lived anywhere else so you have something to compare it with?
I think you are jealous you haven't created something as memorable. Try to create some art & you may appreciate other's efforts more. "

pbj wrote on Feb 28, 2008 8:35 PM:

" but Lewis & Clark were ugly "

NeedISayMore wrote on Feb 28, 2008 2:44 PM:

" They need to spend the first part of the money to get rid of the eye sore art on the Bismarck side of the river. No offense to whoever built it, but the so called thunder eagle just does not fit, and makes it look like trash. Same with the ugly statutes of Lewis & Clark at Meriwethers, they need to be upgraded to something a little more appealing for a couple of american icons. "

Eric Stevens wrote on Feb 28, 2008 2:18 PM:

" Tom, I guess you didn't read the article. There are two parks being built on either side of the bridge. Mandan's park is going on the Mandan side of the river and Mandan is contributing $145,000 to it. Bismarck's park is going on the Bismarck side of the river, which is still the city of Bismarck, and they are contributing $125,000. "

Good Points wrote on Feb 28, 2008 12:46 PM:

" I agree, keep the memory of the old bridge alive as much as possible,
Hope the City has "wised-up" and is smart enough to keep the "so called art" along the river out of these new parks. Maybe start a clean up the river view campaign in an effort to get the "existing art" REMOVED! "

Tom wrote on Feb 28, 2008 12:09 PM:

" Why in the world would Bismarck be spending $125,000 to put a park in a different city? my lord.. Bismarck is growing north leaps and bounds.. How about a park on the north side of Bismarck instead of one in a different city... wow.. Are you kidding me. Who do I have to call or e-slap to get some answers here?? I have never heard of anything so stupid in my life. this doesnt sound like it was a well advertised meeting. This is stupid.. If mandan gets the park than let mandan pay for it. did mandan contribute any money to any of the parks on our side of the river? "

Brent wrote on Feb 28, 2008 10:36 AM:

" BabyT, The same is going to happen to you. Wouldn't you like a headstone so your future family can remember your life? It is just another layer to what is Bismarck/ Mandan History. The Memorial Bridge was the final link between the Transconinental highway. I feel that it is of equal significants as Fort Lincoln. And behold! The fort has been destroyed for over 100 years and people can still learn about it! Double Ditch Indian Village! The Parthenon! The declaration of Independence. The world is made up of more than disposable goods like your crappy car, Ipods, fashion.. Some things are symbols of culture that must last through time, and The original Memorial Bridge is one of them. "

BabyT wrote on Feb 28, 2008 10:12 AM:

" What is this fascination people have with keeping pieces of the old bridge around? When you trade in an old worn out car you don't keep the rusted bumper as a keep sake usually! In 10 years very people will remember or care about the old bridge. In 20, there will be VERY few people. And in 30-50 years it will be a long distant memory. "

JustMe wrote on Feb 28, 2008 8:56 AM:

" Agreed. "

Herb wrote on Feb 28, 2008 7:14 AM:

" At least this will be one park along the river without an ugly eagle sculpture. Let's hope the park stays that way. "

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