Laurel’s ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ may be for sale

June 13, 2009 10:28 am

— After approximately 30 years of existence, the Laurel City Council will decide Tuesday whether to sale a city facility and one of Laurel’s landmarks.
The council will determine whether to approve the sale of the steel pedestrian bridge commonly referred to as the “Bridge to Nowhere.”
The council will also consider selling the Neighborhood Health Facility on Cook Avenue.
During Wednesday’s agenda-setting meeting held at Laurel City Hall, the city’s administration recommended to members of the City Council that they consider approving a resolution regarding the sale of these properties.
According to officials, the steel pedestrian bridge, which parallels North Magnolia Street to the west and crosses Carroll Gartin Boulevard, was constructed during the city’s Urban Renewal project in the 1970s under the administration of Mayor Bill Patrick.
The bridge is used for the filming of the city’s annual Christmas parade.
Dennis Keveryn, the City of Laurel’s chief administrative officer, said the item will be handled “through the bid process like any other city property.”
In the resolution submitted to the council, the administration is asking the council to approve advertising for sealed bids for the sale of the property.
“It serves no purpose,” Keveryn said about the bridge. “It’s getting old.”
Keveryn said he would rather the city take the bridge down than to do any maintenance on it. However, the city does not have the capabilities of taking the bridge down.
So, if the council approves the recommendation, they will have to seek bids for the dismantling of the bridge.
Also Tuesday, the administration is asking the council to consider approving a resolution regarding the sale of the Neighborhood Health Facility at 304 North Cook Avenue.
According to documents submitted to the council, “the property has ceased to be used for municipal purposes.”
In that resolution submitted to the council, the administration is asking the council to approve advertising for sealed bids for the sale of the property.
These, along with other matters, will be presented to the City Council during its meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers at Laurel City Hall.

Photos

The steel bridge parallels North Magnolia Street to the west and crosses Carroll Gartin Boulevard. The bridge is used for the filming of the city’s annual Christmas parade.