9/28/2009 7:59:00 PM
It's post and rail for the security fence
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by Richard Clark and Jay Dickerson
GALENA-Replacing the informal but effective barrier of a thick tangle of underbrush interspersed with small- and medium-sized trees that protected a steep drop-off along 400 feet of the bluff along Prospect Street turned out to be not so simple.
The city explained that the underbrush and and trees had to be cut down because the root mass was destroying the stone retaining wall some 16 to 18 feet away from the curb line of Prospect Street.
This left the drop-off at the top of the wall unprotected and open, creating an obvious hazard.
As a temporary measure the city "fenced" the drop-off with yellow caution tape placed about midway between the curb and the drop-off, pending the already planned visit from the insurance company carrying the city's liability insurance.
Those experts agreed that there was indeed a hazard, and identified two options for a protective fence: a post and rail fence somewhat similar to the fence at the head of the bike/hike trail or a picket fence.
The rough estimate for the post and rail type fence using treated lumber was about $6,800 for the 400-foot length needed; the picket fence was estimated to cost $14,000 for the same length.
The council, understandably, after some discussion chose the post and rail fence on a split council vote; council members Sue Cording and Todd Lincoln opposed the post and rail fence.
Problem solved?-not quite. Members of the Historic Preservation Commission questioned the choice, saying that given the highly visible location of the proposed fence it and the fact that it was built by the city, it should be "historically appropriate."
The council deferred action on the issue, and a frantic hunt began for pictures of 19th century fences used in Galena. Unofficial reports seem to indicate that our Galena ancestors, with a shocking lack of aesthetic sensibility, used whatever kind of fence was most convenient, and in most cases the least expensive.
After considerable discussion, a consensus was achieved on use of a post and plank rail type fence as the best compromise of public safety, historical precedents, general appearance, maintenance costs for both of the fence and the area around it, and costs of construction.
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended using cedar wood rather treated lumber, saying that cedar would be less obtrusive visually and would last longer than treated wood.
At this point, City Engineer Andy Lewis sent out requests for price quotations from four suppliers. The city received only one bid, from Hulscher Fencing.
Council action
Lewis advised the council on Sept. 14 that Hulscher Fencing quoted a price of $7,014 for treated wood and $8,180 for cedar.
Alderman Robert Hahn offered a motion to accept Hulscher's bid for a cedar fence at $8,180.
This was based on a three-plank post and rail fence between Prospect Street and the 22-foot high rock retaining wall on the east side of Prospect Street. The posts are to be set in concrete. The fence will extend from the top of the High School steps to the edge of the Osprey's Nest property, a distance of 400 feet. The fence will be positioned midway between the street curb and the rock retaining wall.
Hahn said he thought the cedar wood would both look better and last longer than treated wood. Alderwoman Sue Cording seconded, commenting that she believed the city needed to get something in place immediately as a matter of public safety.
Alderpersons Cording, LaVerne Greene, Hahn, Terry Murphy, and Mayor Terry Renner voted in favor of the motion; Aldermen Charles Fach and Todd Lincoln voted against the motion.
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