‘He’s desecrating memorials:’ Veterans group pushes back on Governor’s proposed bridge
DENVER (KDVR) — The state commander of the Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fred Scheck, says they are not anti-bridge bridge they are just against the location, which currently is planned to go through where memorials to veterans currently stand.
“I believe that what he’s doing is totally inappropriate because he’s desecrating memorials dedicated to veterans,” Scheck said.
This frustration comes from the proposed pedestrian bridge that will start near the memorials on the north side of the Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Denver, across the street from the Capitol building, and wind across Lincoln Street to the west steps of the state capitol.
The governor’s office announced the bridge in May: A project designed to celebrate the state’s 150th birthday next year. When the project was announced, Governor Jared Polis released a statement saying in part:
“When Coloradans of all ages come to visit our state capitol, they can more easily access and enjoy Lincoln Veterans Park while enjoying and learning from art from local artists. This interactive experience will showcase Colorado’s history and look to our even stronger future.”
Scheck says it is not about not having a bridge or not choosing to celebrate the state’s history. His issue is with the location of the bridge.
The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway park landing rendering. (Courtesy of Studio Gang)
The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway Lincoln Pass rendering. (Courtesy of Studio Gang)
The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway canopy walk rendering. (Courtesy of Studio Gang)
The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway aerial rendering. (Courtesy of Studio Gang)
The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway as rendered by Studio Gang, StudioTrope, Mundus Bishop, and Olin and Thornton Thomasetti. (Renderings provided by the Colorado Governor’s Office)
“Why would he want to start that there; isn’t there better places we could start this instead of desecrating our memorials?” Scheck said.
Memorials and mementos to fallen soldiers and veterans can be seen throughout the park. A history Scheck says, would be left behind for the CO150 walkway.
“If they were to do this at the mall in Washington, D.C., at the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, what would people say? So why do we want to do it in the state of Colorado, which is one of the greatest states in this country?” Scheck said.
FOX31 reached out to the Governor’s office about the complaints listed by the VFW and other veterans groups but did not receive a response. If you have something you would like to add to the conversation, a survey was put forward by the state for input until midnight on July 21.
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