Organizers of Winamac’s Memorial Swinging Bridge Project are looking to get some state and national recognition for the historic structure, but the town’s park board is concerned about what stipulations that might bring. Project organizer Greg Henry asked board members Thursday to consider applying for a state historical marker.
“If you want one, then you decide which side of the bridge you want it on,” he said. “If you don’t want one, you don’t have to do anything. But we feel that the bridge itself is worth considering having one.”
But the cost is almost $3,000 – double that to get a marker for each side of the bridge – and the group is asking the town to pay for it. Henry said project organizers are also working to get the bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is free.
Beyond the cost, though, Park Board President Chris Schramm wanted more information about whether those designations would prohibit any further changes to the bridge. “I just don’t want our hands to be tied if there’s something we want to be able to do and have to get permission to scrape the paint off and repaint the darn thing,” Schramm said.
Board member and town manager Brad Zellers said he plans to advertise for painting bids in the coming weeks, and he’s also looking at replacing the bridge’s deck boards with recycled material. He also questioned whether the bridge project itself, which seeks to add a decorative lighting feature, would be allowed.
In the end, the park board asked for more information to be provided at its next meeting. Henry also plans to bring the proposal to the town council on Monday.
Meanwhile, he reported that the project continues to gain momentum but admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic has put them behind. So far, the group’s raised about $30,000 of its $275,000 goal, and nearly 50 members are working on raising funds and planning for the 2023 rededication ceremony.
