Cost to redesign Holmes Trail in wake of bridge thefts could be $40,000
Revised design work to reflect construction to replace two bridges on an uncompleted section of the Holmes County Trail may cost the park district an additional $40,000.
The Holmes County Park Board Wednesday, Nov. 30, approved a modification agreement with engineering firm Jobes Henderson for up to $40,916 to design and engineer two new bridges. The agreement will determine structure types to replace two steel bridges that were allegedly stolen by being cut out and sold for scrap.
Jen Halverson, park district director, said the new work is a modification of the original design, which was finished as having the two lost bridges intact. The original design work was completed at a cost of $411,611.
The bridges, which date back to the trail’s days as a railroad, are believed to have been removed sometime between May and June of 2011. Kenneth E. Taylor, 58, of 4627 Township Road 55, Killbuck, is facing criminal charges in Holmes County Common Pleas Court for allegedly removing the bridges. According to court records, Taylor paid a contractor to come in and cut out the bridges, then had the metal hauled away to be sold as scrap.
Taylor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The bridges were located in an area of the trail between U.S. 62 and state Route 520.
Halverson said the additional expense will be paid for out of the park district’s land and buildings line item and/or funds remaining from a previous federal earmark.
Halverson declined comment when asked if the park district will seek damages if Taylor is convicted.
In other business, the park board voted to replace a security camera found to be inoperable after a vandalism complaint at the trail depot in Millersburg. The camera will be replaced at a cost of $565.
Gretchen Acker, a park boardmember, asked that Halverson investigate the possibility of installing a camera to cover the park pavilion. Acker said skateboarders and bicyclists are using the picnic tables for stunts.
“We want the pavilion to be used but use it for what it’s for, not bouncing bikes and skateboards on top of the tables,” Acker said.
Halverson said that vandalism is an on-going problem at the depot and along the trail. An indoor restroom was closed to the public due to vandalism, and port-a-johns along the trail have also been vandalized.
The Holmes County Park Board Wednesday, Nov. 30, approved a modification agreement with engineering firm Jobes Henderson for up to $40,916 to design and engineer two new bridges. The agreement will determine structure types to replace two steel bridges that were allegedly stolen by being cut out and sold for scrap.
Jen Halverson, park district director, said the new work is a modification of the original design, which was finished as having the two lost bridges intact. The original design work was completed at a cost of $411,611.
The bridges, which date back to the trail’s days as a railroad, are believed to have been removed sometime between May and June of 2011. Kenneth E. Taylor, 58, of 4627 Township Road 55, Killbuck, is facing criminal charges in Holmes County Common Pleas Court for allegedly removing the bridges. According to court records, Taylor paid a contractor to come in and cut out the bridges, then had the metal hauled away to be sold as scrap.
Taylor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The bridges were located in an area of the trail between U.S. 62 and state Route 520.
Halverson said the additional expense will be paid for out of the park district’s land and buildings line item and/or funds remaining from a previous federal earmark.
Halverson declined comment when asked if the park district will seek damages if Taylor is convicted.
In other business, the park board voted to replace a security camera found to be inoperable after a vandalism complaint at the trail depot in Millersburg. The camera will be replaced at a cost of $565.
Gretchen Acker, a park boardmember, asked that Halverson investigate the possibility of installing a camera to cover the park pavilion. Acker said skateboarders and bicyclists are using the picnic tables for stunts.
“We want the pavilion to be used but use it for what it’s for, not bouncing bikes and skateboards on top of the tables,” Acker said.
Halverson said that vandalism is an on-going problem at the depot and along the trail. An indoor restroom was closed to the public due to vandalism, and port-a-johns along the trail have also been vandalized.
Published: December 2, 2011
