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October 2003
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HPC Meeting Minutes 2003
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October 2003
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South Bend HPC
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Minutes
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STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br />/ Date: 10-08-03 <br />Application Number: 2003-0916-02 <br />Property Location: Norfolk Southern RR Trestle Bridge, near Angela Boulevard, South Bend, IN <br />Property Owner: City of South Bend <br />Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark <br />Rating: Significant <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT <br />A railway line first crossed the St. Joseph River near Angela Boulevard possibly in the mid 1890s. The <br />Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa Railroad, known as the Three'T's, constructed the line and the earlier railroad bridge <br />that crossed the river in the location of the existing bridge. The 1911 atlas of the city positively illustrates the <br />existence of this railroad bridge. The Three'T's was a very successful railroad company that specialized in <br />carrying freight. Its South Bend line provided businesses and manufacturers with direct access to all other rail lines <br />entering Chicago. The northern branch of the line ends at the University of Notre Dame. In 1917, Michigan <br />Central Railroad bought the line and hence the bridge until New York Central took over at an unknown date. <br />The current trestle bridge, the second railroad bridge erected over the river at this location, was built in <br />1927 by either Michigan Central or New York Central. Several other railroad companies held ownership rights for <br />the bridge. Norfolk Southern at one time leased rights to the bridge. It is now in the hands of the City of South <br />Bend. <br />Trestle bridges have a long association with the railroad. Railroad companies across the country spanned <br />rivers and valleys with these and other types of bridges in order to connect the growing nation's commercial and <br />industrial hubs. In the late 1800s, many of these bridges were built mainly in wood. As railroad companies <br />modernized their infrastructure in the first half of the 1900s, they employed the strength and flexibility of iron, <br />steel, and reinforced concrete. The trestle bridge crossing the St. Joseph River near Angela and Riverside is a fine <br />example of an intact 1920s trestle bridge constructed with wood cross beams, an iron girders system, two concrete <br />retaining walls, and four concrete piers shaped to direct the flow of water around the bridge supports. These piers <br />recall the fortifications and masonry buttressing of some medieval bridges and castles. Two concrete retaining <br />piers were built into the steep banks of the river and can be considered the ends of the trestle bridge. <br />APPLICATION ITEMS: <br />The City of South Bend and the Troyer Group propose the construction of a pedestrian trail along the St. <br />Joseph River following Riverside Drive. The applicant and the architectural firm propose that the trail be 10' wide <br />and made of bituminous materials. A pedestrian crossing will be laid/constructed to the west of the trestle bridge. <br />In the opinion of the applicants, the crossing will not affect the condition of the railroad bridge and no renovations <br />will be made to the bridge itself. The scaled drawing of the project illustrates the location of the at -grade crossing <br />in relationship to the trestle bridge. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />The Commission also included the landmark railroad trestle bridge in its decision during the 106 Review <br />process. Though a ten -foot wide path would impact the flat, grass -covered landscape and the railroad tracks <br />adjacent to the landmark railroad trestle bridge, the bridge itself will experience minimal impact. <br />The project will increase pedestrian traffic near this local landmark, which will more easily allow for <br />exposure of an historic structure connected to the development of South Bend's industrial and commercial <br />activities. The more utilitarian character of the trestle bridge compared to the Angela Boulevard Bridge is evidence <br />of the modern inclination for functional design, the wane of the passenger railroad in the 1920s, and the increasing <br />prominence and public desire for automobiles and touring roads. <br />In agreement with the prior decision and opinion of the Commission, staff recommends approval of <br />this application for the construction of a pedestrian trail to the west of the trestle bridge not more than 10' <br />wide. Staff recommends approval for at -grade crossing with the specification that any new material does not <br />tie into the concrete retaining pier of the trestle bridge. <br />
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