The fate of the Coleman Bridge—an iconic sign to drivers on Merrimon Avenue that they are entering or leaving Weaverville—is set for demolition after the Weaverville Town Council unanimously voted to refuse responsibility for the pedestrian footbridge.
A short debate
Town Council debated the matter for about 30 minutes during the April 27 meeting after both Town Manager Scottie Harris and the town attorney recommended against taking possession of the bridge. They estimated that anywhere from $37,000 to $100,000 of taxpayers’ money would have to be poured into the project right away.
Harris also rejected Councilman Phil Barnett’s request to ask the DOT for 30 additional days to inquire into raising funds to restore or move the bridge, saying that the DOT wanted an answer the following day.
Councilman Peter McGuire did not want the town exposed to liability for issues including potential lead-based paints and poisonous wood preservative in the bridge…