Bridge collapse causes concern over city project
Posted: Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Many Siouxlanders have been affected by the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis a week ago today.
The Winnebago community lost one of its own, Julia Blackhawk, 32, of Savage, Minn., who was killed as she sat in heavy traffic on the bridge. Others had family members who use that bridge daily and were worried sick until they found out they were safe. Some Sioux Cityans were in the Twin Cities that day and witnessed the devastation first hand.
For most of us, however, we saw the horror on our TV screens as we watched the carnage. Did you think the bridge collapse would have a direct impact on what is happening in Sioux City? It could.
"It's going to delay one of our projects here," City Manager Paul Eckert told me Monday night. "A side issue is that the cranes we might want to use here are going north. It's delayed one of our projects. We were hoping to install the HAC (heating and air conditioning) on top of the JCPenney building for Northwest Airlines."
Large cranes will be needed to remove tons of debris from the Mississippi River.
Northwest Airlines contractors are remodeling most of the second floor of the former department store for its reservation center. The Sioux City Public Museum plans to relocate to the first floor next year.
By Tuesday, however, Bob Padmore, the city's finance and administrative services director, said, "The crane is not an issue any longer. We have the availability to get one."
The contractor was able to find a large crane to lift the heavy equipment to the roof of the building. Padmore said he didn't know what company was hired.
"We saw things like this after (Hurricane) Katrina," Eckert said of construction delays. "It's taken a few days to realize this."
*****
Bits and Pieces: Like other government bodies, the City Council allows citizens to talk about any topic at the end of its meetings. Few of those comments result in stories. Even so, the issues are important enough for a handful of people to spend hours waiting for their turn at the podium.
On Monday, for example, two men wanted stays of execution for council-ordered demolition of two red-tagged houses. The council asked for a staff report and will put those items on next week's agenda.
Two other men wanted city help for water problems residents are experiencing in the area of Hawthorne and Singing Hills drives. A westside homeowner complained about a neighbor's fire pit, saying the smoke pollutes his house. The council asked staff for reports.
*****
Wayfaring Gone Astray: At a recent city manager's press conference, City Transportation Planner Jill Mascarello showed the new "wayfaring" signs that will be installed in the central business district. The color-coded signs will direct motorists and pedestrians to buildings and attractions. It's part of the Iowa Great Places initiative.
Many of the heavy metal signs are posted together so they can be attached to utility poles. A few days later, some of those signs fell on Jill's leg and broke it. City Manager Eckert said Jill might have to add crutches to her wedding attire when she marries Nick Wanderscheid Sept. 29. Best wishes, Jill, as you recover.
*****
Quote of the Week: As the council prepared to discuss submitting an application for state tax credit benefits for a new program to help frail elderly, Mayor Craig Berenstein spotted former council colleague and mayor, Karen Van De Steeg, in the audience. She is executive director of Health Inc., the parent agency for the program.
"We have a request to defer this item," Berenstein intoned, almost prompting a gasp from Van De Steeg, who quickly recovered and retorted, "You are so NOT funny!"
The council approved the application.
Lynn Zerschling, city hall reporter, may be reached at 712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com
The Winnebago community lost one of its own, Julia Blackhawk, 32, of Savage, Minn., who was killed as she sat in heavy traffic on the bridge. Others had family members who use that bridge daily and were worried sick until they found out they were safe. Some Sioux Cityans were in the Twin Cities that day and witnessed the devastation first hand.
For most of us, however, we saw the horror on our TV screens as we watched the carnage. Did you think the bridge collapse would have a direct impact on what is happening in Sioux City? It could.
"It's going to delay one of our projects here," City Manager Paul Eckert told me Monday night. "A side issue is that the cranes we might want to use here are going north. It's delayed one of our projects. We were hoping to install the HAC (heating and air conditioning) on top of the JCPenney building for Northwest Airlines."
Large cranes will be needed to remove tons of debris from the Mississippi River.
Northwest Airlines contractors are remodeling most of the second floor of the former department store for its reservation center. The Sioux City Public Museum plans to relocate to the first floor next year.
By Tuesday, however, Bob Padmore, the city's finance and administrative services director, said, "The crane is not an issue any longer. We have the availability to get one."
The contractor was able to find a large crane to lift the heavy equipment to the roof of the building. Padmore said he didn't know what company was hired.
"We saw things like this after (Hurricane) Katrina," Eckert said of construction delays. "It's taken a few days to realize this."
*****
Bits and Pieces: Like other government bodies, the City Council allows citizens to talk about any topic at the end of its meetings. Few of those comments result in stories. Even so, the issues are important enough for a handful of people to spend hours waiting for their turn at the podium.
On Monday, for example, two men wanted stays of execution for council-ordered demolition of two red-tagged houses. The council asked for a staff report and will put those items on next week's agenda.
Two other men wanted city help for water problems residents are experiencing in the area of Hawthorne and Singing Hills drives. A westside homeowner complained about a neighbor's fire pit, saying the smoke pollutes his house. The council asked staff for reports.
*****
Wayfaring Gone Astray: At a recent city manager's press conference, City Transportation Planner Jill Mascarello showed the new "wayfaring" signs that will be installed in the central business district. The color-coded signs will direct motorists and pedestrians to buildings and attractions. It's part of the Iowa Great Places initiative.
Many of the heavy metal signs are posted together so they can be attached to utility poles. A few days later, some of those signs fell on Jill's leg and broke it. City Manager Eckert said Jill might have to add crutches to her wedding attire when she marries Nick Wanderscheid Sept. 29. Best wishes, Jill, as you recover.
*****
Quote of the Week: As the council prepared to discuss submitting an application for state tax credit benefits for a new program to help frail elderly, Mayor Craig Berenstein spotted former council colleague and mayor, Karen Van De Steeg, in the audience. She is executive director of Health Inc., the parent agency for the program.
"We have a request to defer this item," Berenstein intoned, almost prompting a gasp from Van De Steeg, who quickly recovered and retorted, "You are so NOT funny!"
The council approved the application.
Lynn Zerschling, city hall reporter, may be reached at 712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com
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