Help save the bridge

Editor: As I read Ray Holley’s article (Main Street “What’s that
smell?”) regarding the Memorial Bridge, I began to reflect on other
“replacement alternatives” that have destroyed some historic, if
not iconic, buildings in this town. Former city leaders, in the
wisdom of the day to modernize, saw fit to demolish the majestic
Victorian City Hall and replace it with the flat roofed,
single-storied building that now is occupied by the Oakville
Grocery. The stately old high school on Grant Street was deemed
unsafe by earthquake standards and replaced by the present
economical (i.e. inexpensive) utilitarian structure that houses the
junior high school. Incidentally, it took a day of pounding the old
high school building with an iron ball before they finally dented
it and started the demolition.
Part of the attraction for tourists visiting Healdsburg is the
architecture of another era. The foresightedness of the city’s
leaders to upgrade, but keep the old-looking store fronts on the
buildings around the downtown Plaza is to be commended. The charm
of the town, the history, and the integrity of Healdsburg is
reflected in its architecture.
The Memorial Bridge is part of the town’s image. I know nothing
about an RFP (Request for Proposal), but I agree with Ray’s
assessment and I believe in Mel Amato’s figures in regard to the
bridge’s structural strength and integrity. I am in favor of
rehabilitating the bridge instead of replacing it with a modern
cement structure. Please help save the historic Memorial
Bridge.
Lew Sbrana
Healdsburg