The St. Augustine Record

Lions span gains endangered status
By Tiffany Merlo
Staff Writer

St. Augustine’s Bridge of Lions has been placed on “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places” list.

This announcement came during a Monday morning press conference organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“I am here today to let you know that St. Augustine now has been elevated to the status of the 10 other sites on the list,” said St. Augustine Mayor Len Weeks.

Applause followed.

About 30 people gathered on Monday morning to hear the announcement. Many carried signs that read, “Save Our Bridge.”

Janis Williams, longtime supporter of saving the bridge, said the recognition isn’t just about the past.

“It’s also about the future. It’s about saving the historic nature of the city,” she said. “I can’t tell you how delightful I am that people outside of St. Augustine will recognize the Bridge of Lions.”

Since 1988, the Washington, D.C., - based National Trust has issued its “11 Most Endangered” list to call attention to significant pieces of heritage at risk.

However, the listing does not ensure the protection of a site or guarantee funding. It provides heightened public awareness.

In April, the St. Augustine Commission voted to restore the 70-year-old Bridge of Lions as is. This reversed the previous?

The vote also does not have any force of law but becomes the official position of the city. The final decision is expected to be made by the Florida Department of Transportation. Depending on the outcome, construction is planned for 2000-2001.

Here is a list of the other sites on the “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places 1997” list.
Wa’ahila Ridge, Honolulu, Hawaii
The Cathedral of St. Vibiana, Los Angeles, California
Montezuma Castle, Montezuma, New Mexico
Flathead Indian Reservation, Montana
Stillwater Bridge, Stillwater, Minnesota
Historic Buildings Infested with Formosan Termites, Gulf Coast states
Vicksburg Campaign Trail, Mississippi and Louisiana
Congressional Cemetary, Washington, D.C.
Ellis Island National Monument, New York Harbor
Cranston Street Armory, Providence, Rhode Island

Department of Transportation Regional Planning Administrator Joe Stephenson said this listing plays a part in whether the bridge is replaced or restored.

At this time, he said, the DOT is compiling an environmental impact statement.

“This is another form of input to go into the report,” he said. “It will say not only do many of the residents of St. Augustine want to restore the bridge and not only is the bridge on the National Register, but it is now on this national list.”

Stephenson said the study will be completed in the summer, and a public hearing will follow in the fall. The Department of Transpiration's recommendation will be made in 1998.

And tonight the Bridge of Lions will be featured at 8 p.m. in a one-hour national History Channel documentary special called “America’s Most Endangered.”

For the past 20 years, the bridge has been a source of continuing controversy over its viability to carry an increasing traffic load, constant breakdowns of the draw-span mechanism and the width of its center. At 76 feet, it is less than the U.S. Coast Guard? Guard requires a 125-foot width.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, chartered by Congress in 1949, is a non-profit organization with more then 270,000 members. It has seven regional offices, owns 20 historic sites and works with thousands of local community groups in all 50 states.