Save the Fifth Street SW (a.k.a. Green) Bridge in Des Moines, Iowa

Posted Dec 1, 2013
12,221

Please help support the preservation of one of Des Moines' finest historic landmarks, built in 1898 by two prominent local bridge builders.

The Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge in Des Moines along the Meredith Bike Trail needs repairs. It has been permanently closed since March 2013 until a decision can be made to demolish the bridge, fix it, or restore it.

It is estimated it will cost over $700,000 to demolish the bridge, $1,000,000 to repair the bridge and $3,000,000 to restore the bridge.

The bridge and it's fate has gained quite the following in the last few months. Please read over the links and sign the petition if you are inclined.

About

The Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge (also known as the Green Bridge), is one of the main historic treasures that serves the City of Des Moines, the state capital of Iowa.

Built in 1898 by J.H. Killmar and the King Bridge Company, the bridge provided access between Des Moines' business district in the north and the southern suburbs until its closure in the 1990s. It was rehabilitated and reintegrated into the City's bike trail system in 1998 and at the same time, received its listing on the National Register of Historic Places because of its contribution to the development of the infrastructure in Des Moines at the turn of the century combined with its association with the local bridge builders, one of whom, George E. King, who established his bridge building business at that time, is connected with the King Bridge Company of Cleveland (Ohio) and his father, Zenas King, who founded the company The Green Bridge served bike and pedestrian traffic until its closure in March 2013.

Faced with the prospects of demolition as suggested by the Des Moines City Council, the Green Bridge now has some support from many who know about the bridge and would like to see it fixed and reopened to traffic. This page is not only to provide support for saving and restoring the bridge (the more likes and support the better), but it serves as a platform for providing information and photos about the bridge and ideas on how to save the bridge.

You can also participate in the discussion through the Open Group version bearing a similar title to this one or the Bridgehunter's Chronicles, which created this page.

Help Save the Bridge

You can sign a petition that will be presented to the Des Moines City Council, Mayor Cownie, City Manager Richard Clark and Des Moines Parks and recreation Director Ben Page.

Because it is part of the Meredith Bike Trail and is historically significant for the city as well as the region, we therefore ask you to reconsider the options of demolishing the Green Bridge and instead, look at options for repairing, restoring and reopening the bridge to bike and pedestrian traffic. This also includes a second structural study to be conducted by a firm whose expertise lies in repairing bridges of the same caliber as the Green Bridge, as well as opening and exercising all options that are associated with preserving this bridge. We are willing to work together with you to realize these plans.