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Officials Get Public Thoughts On Blue Bridge

Posted at 6:52 AM, Dec 11, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-11 10:04:14-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The future of the blue bridge over the Grand River is in your hands.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA), seeking  your input at two meetings on Tuesday, heard in the first meeting an overwhelming support for keeping the bridge the color blue.

The first meeting at 9 a.m. also allowed the DDA to hear from the red contingent. Those arguing for red said it should match the color of the Stabile, the Calder sculpture on Calder Plaza.

Officially, the bridge is named the Indiana Railroad Bridge, but it’s commonly called the blue bridge because it has been blue for years.

About 70% of comments in the morning meeting supported blue. Though red was popular, it was noted that if it was to be red, the bridge would have to be painted every year.

There was also discussion about installation of LED lights.

The second meeting will be held at 7 p.m.. Both meetings are on the third floor of the Grand Rapids Public Museum on Pearl street.

A  $1.3 million renovation is planned for the bridge. The DDA says blue is rumored to be a primer coat.

The bridge connects the heart of the city on the east side with the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Grand Valley State University facilities on the west side.

If you want to keep updated on the bridge follow #IndianaBridge on Twitter.