Rush to Fix Footbridges and 'Blue Wall' Before Fees Hit 2016 Creek Stabilization Funds

Romanelli Park “Pedestrian Bridge” footings are undermined, and the approach is not ADA accessible.

It has been proposed that reconstructing the Romanelli Park “Pedestrian Bridge” and repairing the "Blue Wall" near Moore Park be included in the 25-26 fiscal year City of Del Rio budget. Funding originally approved in 2016 for the San Felipe Creek Stabilization project, can be reappropriated the fix the bridge and blue wall. Stabilization project delays involving endangered species concerns, water displacement challenges, and engineering miscalculations appear to be the main drivers behind the decision to pivot priorities.

During a Special City Council meeting on July 15, “Capital Improvement Project” budgets were presented for the 25-26 fiscal year. The city is working to reconcile accounts and allocate approved funds from years past. Much of the San Felipe Creek Stabilization funds from the 2016 CO (certificate of obligation) still need to be utilized. City Manager Shawna Burkhart said the whole bond series “become taxable at the 10-year mark. So, we have to use these funds immediately.”

"Blue Wall" near Moore Park has been undermined, a large hole in the wall has been present for years.

The city is attempting to identify projects that can be completed in short order, so that the 2016 CO funds can be allocated before taxation penalties are incurred. If the city doesn’t follow through on their San Felipe Creek CO obligations by 2026, that money will start being chipped away by taxes. They are hoping to use money already allocated on a project that can be realistically completed within the original set timeframe of 10 years.

The 2016 CO scope included bridges, as well as creek bed stabilization, so the funds can be allocated to either project type. Burkhart made a recommendation to council: “What I am proposing is that we focus on the bridge, the bridges, potentially, because those are something that we can do fairly quickly… They've been undermined by the ‘98 flood. The footings are undermined as well. And I would encourage you, instead of working solely with biologist and such, to at least spend at minimum the 2016 COs on footbridges.”

Councilperson Carmen Gutierrez asked about the numbers. Burkhart responded, “all of the $550,000 only” must be spent out of the bond series. Gutierrez questioned, “would that cover the footbridges?” Burkart answered, “it would definitely cover at least one.” Burkart added, “and the only way I know that is based on the cost of the bridges at the golf course.”

Burkhart suggested having all the footbridges evaluated to see which bridges are in the worst state of disrepair and start from there. Public Works Director Greg Velazquez approached the stand and brought up the Romanelli Bridge. He said: “It is in dire need… Parks has done some work on the Romanelli Bridge… Just with their estimate, the cost for that was close to $2.5 million dollars… The engineering was close to half a million, but just the construction side, you’re getting close to $2.5 to $3 million… We don’t have that.”

2016 CO funding could be used for the re-engineering and redesign. Prefabricated bridges were suggested as a cost-saving solution. Prefabricated footbridges are being used at the Golf Course and Carranza Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife grants could be explored for additional project funding.

Creek Stabilization efforts were attempted in the past but went awry. Velazquez said: “The original proposed scope of work, the engineering was so-so. They didn’t take into consideration the flow and the velocity of the San Felipe Creek. Nor the demand that we withdraw from the San Felipe Springs, nor when they divert the canal back into the San Fe Creek.”

Public Works Director Greg Velazquez approached the stand and brought up the Romanelli Bridge.

Velazquez explained: “The project did initiate. However, the elevation of the creek came up… We had a little minor rain event. The aqua barriers floated and went downstream… They were trying to do everything they could within their power. However, the aqua barriers were the issue. They didn't work. They could never find a way to dam up and remove the water… And then when they were removing the water, they couldn't have any fish going through the pumps because they are an endangered species. So, it was a very tedious project that could not be completed by the contractor. So, we decided it's time to cut 'em off.”

Velazquez said, “The aqua barriers they used, the methodology that was proposed by the engineer… did not function for this, for them,” Velazquez said, “This is just my opinion… They didn’t study the creek corrected. They didn't study depths and velocity nor demand or the diversion of the canal.”

The San Felipe Creek Stabilization project needs to be completely revisited. All existing permits and engineering are outdated and require redoing. The city said project plans will get a major overhaul before project reinitiation. Velazquez said, “we have not forgotten about the San Felipe Creek Stabilization project, we have not.”

They suggested to abandon all flagstone work, and “rewild” the creek according to ecological preservation standards. Avoiding the creek bed altogether, the pedestrian access path “walking trail” would be offset back from the water. This way, construction would not require biological impact studies for the Devils River Minnow endangered species.

Devils River Minnow as seen in the San Felipe Creek.

Example of damaged flagstone, now proposed to be left in place for Devils River Minnow concerns.

Velazquez said: “The whole idea and the concept behind stabilizing creek banks is coming back with prepared habitat and staying away from the edges so that Mother Nature can come back and grow. So, the idea that we're proposing… is to create that repair habitat. Let's not disturb the creek but create some type of walking path along the banks of San Felipe Creek and not go back in with flagstone… San Marcos a perfect example where we have a walking path where you're not as close to the edge, because there has to be a repairing buffer between the San Felipe Creek and the bank.”

They also want to tackle ADA accessibility compliance. Velazquez said, “So for example, there at Romanelli, you park at Joe Ramos, right? You can't get down to the Romanelli Bridge if you're in a wheelchair. Somebody has to literally carry you down there. So those need to be addressed. How are we gonna make them accessible for ADA?” Ramps and landings will have to be included in the redesign.

Velazquez concluded with a request to still include creek banks, in addition to the footbridges, for the revised proposal. He specifically mentioned the Blue Wall as a point of concern: “One of the major issues that we have, and we all go out there, I'm sure your grandkids, your children go out there, is the blue wall, what we call the blue wall… That's been undermined. And then you have on the banks, on your corners, we have the velocity of the creek has also eroded the Romanelli Bridge. So those taking all into consideration, it's from $2.5 to about $3 million. Just to address those issues.”

Romanelli Footbridge is a popular recreational destination for locals.

The "Blue Wall" is a retaining wall between the creek and elevated parking lot above.

Example image of "eroded footings" at base of footbridges.