Interview With Peace Bridge Committee Co-Chairman
Jessica Galasso
NickelCity News StaffA final decision of the type of bridge to be built between the United States and Canada must be made by a committee that was chosen by the Public Bridge Authority between March 15 and March 16 said Sister Denise Roche, President of D'Youville College and Co-chairman of the committee.
There will be a public hearing on WNED television at 4 p.m. March 7 and on WNED radio at 5 p.m. March 8 in order to present all information to the public and where the public can give testimony and present questions. Roche said that they are fairly close to a decision and they need to take a vote. When all the information is presented, she hopes the committee will come to a consensus or at least a majority as to which style to shoot for.
"There is no political pressure to make a decision. The pressure comes from different segments of the community who want to build a bridge right away" Roche said. "There was an advertisement on television that was endorsed by construction unions to push for a speedy building of a new bridge."
"A lot of tension is created because Canada has decided on what style they want (a twin span) and we are holding" Roche said. The final decision will be made by the PBA. The land where the bridge is to be built is owned and operated by the city of Buffalo and Erie county.
A signature bridge will not fit in the current site, which means that measures would have to be taken to accommodate a site for the bridge. This would include moving the plaza that the bridge is supposed to connect with to a northern site, which would be located on Niagara Street near Hampshire. This move would require relocation of the people who live there, including the relocation of a children's playground and a large nursing home with a rehabilitation unit, Roche said. However, she believes that a signature bridge would bring added beauty to the area.
According to Sister Roche, an important factor in the decision is how much money should be spent on the project since some taxpayers will be paying for it. "Many people feel that if we spent more money it would make more money," Roche said.
"Many people think the signature bridge would bring more commerce such as restaurants and visitors shops, but I'm not totally convinced if it's true," Roche said.
The peace bridge is an important asset to the local area. "The bridge provides close association with Canada and provides for international atmosphere and travel. It also gives a nice image of beauty to the waterfront," Roche said.
Roche admitted that she has changed her preference between a twin span and a signature bridge several times and said that she will not make a final decision until she has all of the facts, which will be presented Tuesday and Wednesday.
Whichever of the two designs are decided upon, Roche hopes the bridge's name remains the Peace Bridge.
"I love the name Peace Bridge, so I hope they keep it," Roche said.
