Advocating for Southside's bridges.
Our bridges are more than infrastructure. They are visible gateways, neighborhood connections, and part of the character of Huntington's Southside.
Good infrastructure can meet modern needs while still respecting the character of the neighborhood around it.
Connecting preservation with progress.
From its early years, The Southside Alliance has taken an active interest in the bridges that cross Fourpole Creek and connect different parts of the Southside.
The Alliance's role has been one of advocacy: sharing neighborhood perspectives, encouraging thoughtful design, participating in conversations with public agencies and community partners, and supporting improvements that complement the historic character of the Southside.
Advocacy, communication, and neighborhood perspective.
The Alliance does not design or construct public bridges. Our role is to stay engaged and advocate for solutions that recognize both infrastructure needs and neighborhood character.
Advocate
We encourage bridge improvements and design considerations that are sensitive to the architectural and visual character of the Southside.
Communicate
We participate in conversations with agencies, public officials, community partners, and residents when bridge projects affect the neighborhood.
Support
When historically compatible treatments or other thoughtful design solutions are possible, The Alliance supports efforts to incorporate them into Southside infrastructure projects.
Keeping neighborhood character part of the conversation.
Alliance board members and volunteers, including Dan Gooding, Tom Craig, Alan Caudill, and Chuck Chambers, were involved in early advocacy related to bridges crossing Fourpole Creek.
That work included communicating with the West Virginia Department of Highways and encouraging consideration of aesthetic treatments for the 8th Street and 5th Street bridges that reflected elements of earlier bridge designs.
Looking ahead.
The Alliance continues to stay engaged with agencies and community partners regarding bridges and crossings throughout the Southside.
Fourpole Creek Crossings
The Alliance continues to follow projects involving bridges across Fourpole Creek and advocate for thoughtful treatment of these important neighborhood connections.
12th Street
We remain interested in plans affecting the 12th Street crossing and opportunities to incorporate design elements compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
5th Street West / Whitaker Boulevard
The Alliance continues to follow improvements and advocate for an approach that balances infrastructure requirements with Southside character.
Enslow Park
The Alliance remains engaged in conversations concerning this crossing and other bridge projects that affect the Southside.
Infrastructure is a collaborative effort.
Bridge projects are planned, designed, funded, approved, and constructed through the work of the public agencies and professionals responsible for those projects.
The Southside Alliance's role is to represent neighborhood interests, participate constructively in the process, and advocate for historically and visually appropriate solutions where feasible.
We appreciate the public agencies, officials, engineers, contractors, community partners, and residents whose work and cooperation contribute to these projects.
A bridge can serve a practical purpose and still contribute to a sense of place.
The Alliance will continue encouraging thoughtful infrastructure improvements that serve the community while respecting the distinctive character of Huntington's Southside.
Have a question or concern about a Southside project?
Community input is an important part of The Alliance's work. Reach out to share a question, concern, or idea related to Southside infrastructure and neighborhood preservation.
Contact The Alliance