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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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A NARROW ESCAPE FOR JOHN DILLINGER’S BRIDGE
ST. PAUL, MN – This week the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill (SF2253/HF2485) lifting a two-year demolition moratorium on the Rock Island Swing Bridge in Inver Grove Heights. After several years of committed advocacy, a Simley High School history class, the National Park Service, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, and 3,000 local supporters have found a solution to save at least half of the historic landmark from total demolition.
“The saying goes, ‘It takes a team to build a bridge,’" said state Rep. Joe Atkins, author of the bill in the House. “We proved today that it takes a community to save one.”
The notorious 1930s gangster John Dillinger once used the Rock Island Swing Bridge as a getaway route to escape the FBI. Atkins joked that Dillinger would have loved the political shootout over the bridge’s fate last year.
With demolition already underway pursuant to a county contract, a “Save the Swing Bridge” campaign pitted local citizens and historians against the U.S. Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, and other state, county, and federal officials who wanted the aging bridge destroyed.
“Emotions ran high from the outset,” said Atkins. “But it was clear that people on both sides of the bridge wanted to reach a workable solution.”
Trying to save a bridge over troubled waters, Atkins brought all of the groups together, and ideas for constructive solutions began to emerge. The turning point came when a Simley class began raising money to save the bridge, and city officials stepped up to consider preserving the Inver Grove Heights portion of the bridge.
With only two days to spare before the entire bridge was destroyed, a two-year moratorium was passed, preventing demolition of the bridge and giving supporters time to find funding to restore the western sections of the bridge. And giving supporters extra time to find a workable solution made all the difference.
This week’s vote to lift the moratorium allows Washington County to continue demolition on its side of the river, while the City of Inver Grove Heights and local supporters move ahead with restoration on the other side of the river.
“For the second time in history, the Rock Island Swing Bridge was the scene of a narrow and incredible escape,” Rep. Atkins said. “Because of the hard work of many good people in our community, the City and supporters will have an opportunity to move forward with restoration efforts.”
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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