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