GFR Donates $2000 to Friends of Two Bridges

For Immediate Release – 2/3/12

Gallagher Fitness Resources Supports Friends of Two Bridges

Gallagher Fitness Resources, Salem’s running and walking shoe store since 1997, has donated $2000 to the Friends of Two Bridges. Hazel Patton, F2B President, accepted the check on Thursday, Feb 2, 2012.

The Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge will span the Willamette Slough from the south end of Riverfront Park to Minto Island, connecting users to existing trail systems and downtown Salem via a multi-use path. Together, with the conversion of the historic Union Street Railroad Bridge into a bicycle and pedestrian facility, these two bridges will link more than 1,300 acres of popular downtown parks and about 26 miles of trails.

At the 1/9/12 F2B meeting, Linda Norris, City Manager, addressed the need for more private funding and suggested F2B have a campaign identified and kicked off by this fall. John and Susan don’t want to wait any longer. The Bridge has been part of the Salem Planning process for over 30 years, a long-held community priority.

In 1984 the City acquired the first easement on the Island to serve as the landing point for the bridge and the link to the Minto path system.

It was in the first Park Master Plan, over 20 years ago.

It was in the first Salem Transportation Plan, over 20 years ago.

At least 3 citizen groups have been formed to implement the Bridge to Minto plan. John and Susan served on the second, starting in 2004. Friends of Two Bridges, the 3rd group, was formed in early 2007.

It is in both the Downtown and the South Riverfront Urban Renewal Plans.

The 2006 Urban Land Institute study on redevelopment of the Boise site recommended that the bridge remain an important part of the plan.

In 2006 we had the opportunity to build the bridge, partly with donated materials, for a total cost of under $2 million dollars. At that time $1.6 in funding was available.

The Development Standards for the former Boise Cascade site anticipate the Bridge link to Minto.

It is in the Salem 2020 Plan.

It has been one of the adopted City Council Goals since 2005.

It received a 91% approval rating from the 2009 community forums (only 3% were opposed).

Tens of Thousands of public dollars have been spent studying this bridge for 30 years.

Two complete engineering studies for the bridge have been presented to City Council in the last 6 years.

Gallagher Fitness Resources is planning a series of events along with F2B, Gallagher Fitness On Your Feet Fridays, to increase awareness of the Minto Bridge and help raise funds to get it done. Events will be held the 2^nd Friday of the month from May through October.

Friends of Two Bridges is a grassroots citizen group focused on the design, construction and opening of the Union Street Railroad and Minto Island bridges, and connecting pathways to bicyclists and pedestrians. A variety of interests are represented in this group, including the recreational community, historic preservationists, area children’s advocates, downtown merchants, property owners and statewide cycling interests. F2B meets monthly. For more information, contact Hazel Patten, 503-581-4939 or ptn1363@msn.com.

More information from the City of Salem is available at this site: http://www.cityofsalem.net/Departments/UrbanDevelopment/DepartmentProjects/Pages/MintoIslandBridge.aspx

 

Click here for Bridge Design Concept