NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - You'll be driving on a brand new Broadway Bridge in the not-too-distant future. Now the question is -- what's it going to look like?
"I think the message is real simple," said Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, "and that is this is really very important."
Elected leaders want your help with the design. They launched a new website –
newbroadwaybridge.org. It's full of stuff like the bridge's history and frequently asked questions, and there's also a link to enter the new bridge design competition. Qualified designers can enter designs, eventually you'll get to vote for which one you like best.
"I love my grandkids," said North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays at a press conference announcing the website and contest. "I want them to love this bridge when they're my age, and this is a way to make it happen."
One big issue with the new bridge's design though, is cost.
"This process will allow us to at least get our hands around a design or some design concepts that then we hope can extrapolate into what the economics are going to be and what does it cost," said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola.
The Highway Department expects to spend around $45-million on the bridge. Meaning, designers have a little bit of money to play with.
"The utilitarian nature of the bridge certainly has to be addressed," said Stodola, "but there's another element to it. There's another element to it that defines what a city is like and what its community is like and what its citizens are like."
And who better to decide that then you -- the citizens.
