Historic officer backs bridge rehab

Editor's note: The following letter was sent to the Flathead County Commissioners, Columbia Falls Mayor Don Barnhart and the First Best Place nonprofit group.

Thank you for the opportunity to voice our support for efforts to rehabilitate the Flathead River Bridge, also called the Red Bridge, in Columbia Falls. As you know, the historic bridge is a valuable resource in the community and a significant structure worthy of preservation.

Listed in a National Register of Historic Places in 2010, the bridge was critical to the prosperity of Columbia Falls and its function as a local trade center. The bridge also provided access to the community, which serves as a gateway to the west entrance to Glacier National Park, and has been a significant part of the area's tourism economy since the early 20th century.

We have confidence that the bridge can provide these functions and become a centerpiece of local tourism, economic development and pride in Columbia Falls.

The Flathead River/Red Bridge rehabilitation project will not only restore a significant transportation structure, but also facilitate effective implementation of safe transportation routes, and promises to provide public education and awareness opportunities as well as increased safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicular traffic by securing alternate routes separate from high traffic areas and by promoting walking, bicycling, involvement and partnerships in the community.

Historic preservation projects, such as the proposed bridge rehabilitation, generate economic benefits in a number of ways, including the ripple effect through the economy due to restoration work, effects on property values in historic areas and districts, visitor and tourist spending, and in other surprising ways, such as income through the film industry and other media seeking historically preserved localities.

As you know, heritage tourism is intrinsic to the local economy and has been found to be a lucrative market attracting well-educated and well-heeled visitors that stay longer and spend more than other tourists. A recent study commissioned for the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council was able to provide numbers to support these claims. This study found that the 78 percent of national vacationers who participated in heritage and cultural activities accounted for 90 percent of the economic impact of $1,050 per trip, contributing more that $203 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

We at the State Historic Preservation Office recognize that a project of this magnitude can be daunting. Creativity, hard work, determination and patience are required to see it through. Please know that it is possible.

For example, Sanders County and the Thompson Falls community worked for several years to gather funding - both publicly and privately - to restore their "High Bridge." This award-winning, nearly million-dollar project was very successful and can serve as a model for yours.

Some of these funding opportunities include the federal Community Transportation Enhancement Program, the Safe Routes to School Program, the state-funded Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, private foundations and fundraisers.

Please let us know if you would like more information about historic preservation. We are looking forward to working with you.

Mark Baumler is the Montana State Historic Preservation Officer.