From the Pasadena Star-News: Pasadena has considered a number of suicide prevention measures at its famed Colorado Street Bridge in recent years, but city leaders have yet to come to a consensus on a final design, meaning an unsightly temporary measure will remain in place at least a few months longer.
in 1913, the Colorado Street Bridge once marked the last leg of Route 66. Today, it still holds a special place in the hearts of Pasadena residents who are particularly appreciative of the structure’s distinctive Beaux Arts architecture, a period that few today can say they experienced.
About a decade prior to the onset of the Great Depression though, the bridge became associated with a number of suicides — more than 150 in total and 22 since 2015, according to a staff report.
The situation came to a head in 2018, a year or so after the installation of a temporary 10-foot tall fence at the bridge’s alcoves. First responders successfully talked an individual out of suicide after 13 hours. City Manager Steve Mermell immediately ordered the installation of a chain-link fence spanning the entire bridge. The numbers show the temporary measure has been successful: There were 26 incidents on the bridge in 2019, but that number dropped to 5 in 2021, staff said in a report.
On the other hand, the temporary fixes’ unsightly nature has provoked debate among members of the community, who wish to find balance between form and function. A number of design options have been put forth in recent years, and staff recommended last week that the city’s Public Safety Committee provide input on their favorite.
None of the proposals, however, garnered enough support though, leading Councilman Tyron Hampton and Mayor Victor Gordo to suggest the city hire personnel to man the bridge. In response, Mermell said such a move would be costly, while Madison wondered if it would be too heavy of an imposition for a single individual to patrol a 1,500-foot-long bridge.
“Having said that, this is a sacred space for our city,” Madison said. “This bridge is truly iconic, and it’s one of those things that we identify ourselves by. But I tend to feel like we’re not ready yet to make a decision.” As a result, Madison suggested staff work to narrow the choice to two options.
“And then I think it’d be appropriate to go back out into the community, try to provoke more input, more discussion,” Madison said. “Also I have to say, the temporary solution is certainly not an elegant one, but it’s been effective.”
The committee agreed before the rest of the meeting’s items were postponed until its September meeting.
“We have to get this right for safety purposes, for all the reasons we’ve discussed,” Gordo said. “And I just think I feel strongly that we have to take the time to get it right — and in my view that means sending it back for the reviewing of more options.” The direction aligned with staff’s expectation, according to Mermell, who recognized the city has worked to find a solution for a couple of years now, “which is too long,” he said, “but it’s a very thoughtful endeavor.”
Rather than putting a timeline on another discussion, Mermell asked for time to consult with designers and city staff. “And then,” he said, “(we’ll) come back and have another discussion about what that extended process has resulted in.”