The Struggle to Restore the Petaluma Trestle

A Timeline of the Many and Varied Attempts to

Restore the Petaluma Trestle

Slide show of Trestle Components

is provided as a reference to explain terms used in some of the following entries

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Trestle Components Illustration by Robert Dougherty

1992 to 4/5/06

Click the image in the right hand column to see or download the media or document at full size

Date	Event or Document	Image or PDF
1992	Final freight delivery crosses trestle: two 80 ton diesel engines and a 40 ton hopper = 200 ton train. If the Trestle could support 200 tons, why not 30 tons of pedestrians after pilings are reinforced?
1996	State Coastal Conservancy grant allows Petaluma to produce the River Plan. It also recommends making a Downtown Specific Plan which deals with the Historic Downtown District
7/25/97	Article in July 25, 1997 Argus-Courier pointing out the need to do something about the deteriorating surface of the Railroad Trestle. “The dilapidated railroad tracks and trestle and the concrete retaining wall next to it that run from Water Street to the Petaluma Yacht Club, while safe today, both need major repairs to preserve the Great Petaluma Mill and to keep the turning basin a viable part of the Petaluma River community.”
1999	Last “River Festival” held in Petaluma. 20,000 attendees enjoyed live music, food and drink on the deck of the Trestle and Water Street. After this event the deck was considered too hazardous and was eventually fenced off.
1/2/02	Chris Stevick’s letter to City Council members listing advantages of a restored Trestle: The Trestle would put people in touch with the River by: Adding 10,000 sq feet of historic public access to the river Reveal and celebrate Petaluma's historic link to, and dependence on, its River Stimulate river recreation, cruises, visits, and tours, serving as a balcony to all river events. Trestle Restoration would: Preserve the only remaining, and most important of river docks which once lined our River Save Petaluma's most identifiable landmark and linking it to River management. Move waterfront from historic extinction to sustainable development.
1/28/02	Letter from Cassandra Chattan of Archaeological Resource Service re: Historic significance of Trestle “Being between Petaluma Boulevard and the River, the railroad trestle is within the boundaries of the Historic District."..."One of the justifications for relevance of the historic district was the commercial importance, of which the railroad was an integral part. The height of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad's use of the trestle fits into the relevant time frame for the district's importance (1854 to 1945) established by Doctor Napoli (1996).” “The trestle is a visual part of the downtown riverfront. it is also a reminder of the obsolete transportation network and of Petaluma's historic connection to the outside world. Additionally, it has been here for over 80 years.” “It …embodies the distinct period when Petaluma relied upon railroads and maritime shipping, before the age of auto transportation. Together with the surrounding historic buildings, the trestle contributes to the historic feel of downtown Petaluma.”
1/29/02	The Redevelopment department of the City of Petaluma commissions CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group (referred to as CSW[St]² in entries after this) to do a Trestle Report with cost estimate.
2003	Petaluma Specific Plan says to save tracks on “ West Branch” which is Water Street, Trestle and First St tracks, so the City of Petaluma designates redevelopment funds – $500,000 – towards resolving the problem of the deteriorating Railroad Trestle. Editor's Note: Chris Stevick, President of Heritage Homes, found out the Redevelopment Department under Paul Marangella is already determined to demolish the Trestle. Marangella will seek Chris Stevick's approval for the demolition plan, to create the illusion of community support. To Chris, it looks like they want him to overlook the historical significance of the trestle, since they are ignoring local opposition and keep insisting that demolition is the only option.
3/11/03	Archaeological Resource Service - Hired by CSW[St]² to provide a Preliminary Evaluation for Cultural Resources for inclusion in their HSR (Historic Structure Report) for Petaluma Redevelopment From page 14: "The trestle is a major visual contributor to the historic feel of the riverfront. Pictures of its position along the river with the Great Mill behind are used in post cards, advertising, and tourist brochures. Since the trestle is an important part of the visual of the turning basin, its removal would be of immense negative impact to the historic riverfront. In addition, the structure appears to be eligible for the National Register as a contributor to the downtown historic district based on Criteria A and C. It would not be advisable to remove the structure. Prior to any alterations to the structure, a full evaluation of the structure should be conducted, including its potential contributions to the historic downtown and a determination of its role as part of the historic setting. If due to structural problems, the trestle would need to be removed or repaired, it should be replaced or repaired according to the Secretary of the Interior's guidelines for historic structures."
3/11/03	Archaeological Resource Service Preliminary Evaluation for Cultural Resources submitted to CSW[St]² From pg 26 "APPENDIX C - SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR'S STANDARDS FOR RESTORATION 5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize the restoration period will be preserved. 6. Deteriorated features from the restoration period will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials."
3/21/03	Archaeological Resource Service - "AN EVALUATION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES ALONG THE PROPOSED PETALUMA TROLLEY MASTER PLAN PROJECT" Page 1 Introduction "The project passes within the boundaries of the Petaluma Historic Commercial District, which is listed to the National Register of Historic Places."
3/21/03	Archaeological Resource Service - "AN EVALUATION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES ALONG THE PROPOSED PETALUMA TROLLEY MASTER PLAN PROJECT" From Pg 17 “The tracks continue southward on a wooden trestle adjacent to the river. The railroad trestle, a wooden platform built to support the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad tracks, was originally constructed around 1922. The trestle runs for approximately 500 feet from the end of Water Street to the Petaluma Yacht Club, and carried the trains over the water from Water Street to First Street. The structure underwent structural repairs in 1942 and 1972. The trestle is not listed to the National Register, *but with repairs the trestle could become eligible* as a contributor to the Petaluma Historic Commercial District based on Criteria A and C. It is a visual contributor to the historic feel of the riverfront. While there are sheets of plywood placed on the surface of the trestle that are not in keeping with the historic integrity, the overall look of the structure as viewed from the far side of the river or from the water, retains the historic feel. The trestle is currently in poor structural condition and will likely be impacted by the proposed trolley. Mitigation measures, such as recording the structure on a DPR523 form will be necessary.”

Date		Image or PDF
3/21/03	Archaeological Resource Service - "AN EVALUATION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES ALONG THE PROPOSED PETALUMA TROLLEY MASTER PLAN PROJECT" Page 24 "If significant impacts such as removal of or alteration to the railroad tracks or associated structures, including the network of spur tracts, bridges, and track routes, are contemplated, these features should be thoroughly documented on DPR 523 forms prior to such impacts. Proposed impacts to structures that are of historical significance would need to be evaluated by a historian." "One significant historic structure, ... the trestle is to be retrofitted for stability and repaired to look as it did prior to 1960. The trestle appears to be eligible as a contributor to the existing Downtown Petaluma Historic District... The trestle is a major contributor to the historic feel of the downtown riverfront... All work should be conducted to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards to ensure the historic visual integrity of the railroad trestle after repairs".
3/21/03	The 3 pages above were extracted from the full document reproduced here: “An Evaluation of Cultural Resources Along the Proposed Petaluma Trolley Master Plan Project, Petaluma, Sonoma County Submitted for Lauren Williams, President, Petaluma Trolley” by Cassandra Chattan, Archaeological Resource Service
5/20/03	Update on revised 2003 CPSP (Central Petaluma Specific Plan) to members of Heritage Homes, From Chris Stevick, President of Heritage Homes Alerting members to push City Council to add 3 changes to the Central Petaluma Specific Plan before approval at the Council's next meeting: Height limit of 3 stories on new structures next to historic structure Give SPARC full powers of review Create an Inventory of Historic Structures
2000-2005	Paul Marangella, hired by the City of Petaluma to be Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment, held control of redevelopment funds and had his own ideas about the Railroad Trestle. He wanted to start by completely removing the original Trestle and then building a modern concrete and steel platform to replace it. He had no interest in restoring the trestle as an historic structure.
2004	The engineering firm known as CSW[St]2 was hired to assess the structural integrity of the trestle and develop design solutions for making it safe.
3/9/04	CSW[St]² sends a letter to Paul Marangella that they have revised their proposal in accordance with his request (this letter dated 3/9/04 came to light months later). "Pursuant of your request, we have modified our proposal to provide professional consulting services on the Trestle Area Renovation"… "The project scope will include preparing plans for the removal of the existing Trestle" Editor's comment: It can be inferred that CSW[St]² had previously explored the possibility of restoring the existing structure, but this letter indicates they were directed by Marangella to take restoration off the table entirely. This makes it clear that Marangella decided early on to only consider plans beginning with the demolition of the Trestle. CSW[St]² will now take demolition as a starting point and focus on designing a completely new replacement structure. Marangella had his mind set on this demolition-based solution despite the rather obvious observation that demolition would cost at least as much as restoration plus the additional cost of a new structure built from scratch. In his own presentation to Heritage Homes later on 2/9/05 he stated that the design phase had run to $107K and demolition would take another $400K. So the plan and the demolition by itself would consume the $500,000 provided by the City of Petaluma from redevelopment funds for the Trestle problem, leaving nothing for the additional cost of new construction.
10/13/04	Chris, in his role as president of the Petaluma Heritage Homes association (2001-2004), had several private meetings with Paul Marangella. Trying to convince HH to give up on trying to restore it, Marangella insists the downtown Trestle can’t be saved. In support of his argument he makes several assertions that Chris, in turn, sought evidence to refute. (though made often, most of the following statements come from Chris’s notes made at a meeting with Paul Marangella and John FitzGerald on October 10, 2004) Statement 1. “The rotten piles are too far gone.“ Reply: Since the wooden piles are driven a minimum of 30 feet into the soil below the low water line where the conditions are anoxic (no oxygen can get to them so they cannot deteriorate) all rot & decay occurs only above that low water line. Only the upper rotten portion need be reinforced or replaced and connected securely to the intact lower piling, by one of several possible methods approved by structural engineers and with a history of successful use in other locations. Some type of sleeve or tube sufficient to support the load, connect securely to the good lower portion of the pile, and provide a form for cement or other aggregate to fill in the decayed portions. Statement 2. “No engineer would put his stamp on a wooden trestle.“ Reply: Chris Stevick consulted several independent engineers who stated that many wooden trestles were currently being approved around the US. As further proof, Chris hired MKM Associates, a structural engineering firm, to come up with an official, stamped set of timber Trestle drawings that clearly show the possibilities and refute Marangella's assertion. Statement 3. “The State Coastal Conservancy would not allow it.” Reply: The State Coastal Conservancy actually required that any trestle redevelopment include preserving as much of the original structure as possible, maintaining the original design and that replacement materials should be the same as the original or from the most similar available materials. Statement 4. “SMART sees trestle as liability”. Reply: Chris Stevick was on the "Friends of SMART" committee, consisting of local people interested in promoting the proposed train system, familiar with SMART activities. At the time SMART was completely unconcerned with the Trestle, which was included when they purchased the right of way to the tracks from Larkspur landing to Cloverdale. They didn't need the Trestle and would be glad to sell it to Petaluma for a nominal fee. Statement 5. "It isn't a historic site, so not included in the Historic Downtown District" Reply: Marangella is directly contradicted by statements in the letter from Cassandra Chattan, of ARS, dated 1/28/02 (see above). The Trestle is already a Historic Structure by California standards, which require it to be rebuilt in a manner as similar to the original as possible. It is within the boundary of the Historic District, and more importantly, constructed by McNear during that period in Petaluma History that later legitimized the Historic District as worthy of protection. Marangella’s logic is an inversion of the fact that it would actually be eligible for the National Historic Register (formal, National recognition of its Historic significance) on the condition that it be restored. When Chris was still unwilling to go along with the Trestle demolition, Marangella resorted to threats to withdraw support for the Trolley Project, an attempt to intimidate him into approving the plan. Editor's note: At the time, Chris was trying to get the Petaluma Trolley project off the ground using the existing tracks, a project later abandoned for financial reasons. Despite threats he refused to endorse the demolition of the Trestle.
8/4/04	Argus Article, "River Promenade Taking Shape" describes Marangella's preferred plan (demolish the Trestle). “The old wooden railroad trestle that begins at the intersection of Western Avenue and Water Street will be torn out due to rotting pillars at the waterline," Marangella said. "They're just too far gone," he said. "It cannot be salvaged."
8/12/04	A letter to Dusty Resneck (Petaluma Pedestrian& Bicycle Advisory Committee) from Joyce Clark, PE, Program Manager, Economic Development and Redevelopment, City of Petaluma, asking for clarity in reference to the Argus article of 8/4/04 about the Trestle being unsalvageable. Her reply was forwarded to a member of Heritage Homes. The letter states that the design process has begun, assuming the old structure will be removed. This is the first suggestion that Marangella's plan would be a "win/win" just because the new structure will follow the original footprint and also retain the existing railroad tracks (the possibility of running a trolley was still being considered). It's clear that the destruction of the original Trestle was considered a "done deal" within the Economic Development and Redevelopment Department.
11/23/04	C.V. Larsen Co. sends letter to Chris, reviews exiting Trestle and estimates cost of rehab at between $1,000 and $2,000 per lineal ft. Trestle is approximately 500 ft long, so high estimate = $1,000,000.
12/17/04	Paul Marangella presents plans and concept drawings of how nice the River would look with Trestle gone. Described as “win/win.” The concept drawings are just 3D renderings of what the replacement for the trestle might look like, based on redirected tracks and rough footprint of old trestle. These are just artist's conceptions, no architect involved, they are undated & unsigned, just to give a rough idea without specifics.

Date	Event or Document	Image or PDF
1/11/05	Historian Katherine J. Rinehart writes to Chief of San Francisco District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “to express my concerns about the proposed demolition of the historic Petaluma Trestle” “The Trestle remains the most tangible and visual link to Petaluma's important transportation and agricultural history and is a distinct component of the downtown landscape as such, I ask that prior to issuing any permits for this project that you consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer and conduct a Section 106 Review”
1/26/05	Chris Stevick’s presentation to SPARC, summarized in a letter listing the extensive benefits to Petaluma stemming directly from saving the Trestle. I believe the Trestle's historic significance has been overlooked by those who propose to demolish it. It is our visual and historic connection to Petaluma's own unique past. The Trestle has been described for years as one of a kind in existence on the West coast. So far I have not been able to find any other like it. It may be completely unique. It is certainly a contributor to the uniqueness and charm of Petaluma. The "WATER STREET TRESTLE EVALUATION AND REPLACEMENT" 1/29/02, CSW [St] should have considered replacing the pilings of the existing structure. But it never did. I quote from page 3: "As stated, each of these scenarios assumes the complete removal of the existing trestle"
2/9/05	Paul Marangella's presentation to the board of Heritage Homes asserting all the reasons the trestle can’t be saved. Recorded & noted in the meeting minutes. Paul Marangella encouraged the HH Board to approve new concrete terminus of Western Street at Water Street. Plans reviewed showed a concrete deck supported by concrete piers. All studies and proposals had included demolition of historic RR trestle. After spending $107,000 on studies and proposals the City of Petaluma halted funding for design alternatives involving trestle demolition and City staff announced their intention to delete $400,000 in funding for trestle demolition from budget at February budget review.
Early 2005	Paul Marangella pressures Kit Schlich, new HH president, to “ OK” Trestle demolition. Kit Schlich, in a letter to the Heritage Homes Board and Chris Stevick, dated Aug 6, 2013, recounted her experience with Marangella in early 2005 after she became president of Heritage Homes. "When I became HH president in 2005, Paul Marangella, head of city development, invited me to his office to present a city engineer's plan to demo the trestle and replace it with a generic modern embankment topped by a walkway. He badly wanted the neophyte (me) to approve it. But I didn't. The HH board at the time backed me up and I realized that this was to be an issue of importance to the preservation community."
2005	Friends of the Water Street Trestle form an ad hoc support group to show this is not just a trolley issue This informal group of local people (including Pam Torliatt, who would later be elected mayor) were determined to preserve the Trestle, and eventually helped secure a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy for the restoration of the Trestle
5/25/05	Argus-Courier article "Downtown trolley effort still on track" “City officials maintain their information shows the Trestle is beyond repair”
9/12/05	Chris sends letter to Paul Marangella with attached drawings from structural engineers at MKM & Associates showing how Trestle could be repaired rather than demolished. To rebut Marangella’s claim that "no engineer would put his stamp on a wooden trestle"Chris hired MKM to show that a structural engineer WOULD sign off on a wood trestle, assuming it was restored properly. Since pilings below low waterline (in the anoxic or anaerobic zone) are still solid, the only work required to salvage the pilings (and therefore the Trestle) is to repair the damaged portion between high and low waterline or replace and mechanically connect new material to the sound pilings below. The caps and sleepers supported by the pilings are still in good shape. Only the top decking would need to be replaced. Click on the image to the right to see the entire document: Pg 1 Cover letter from Chris Stevick to Paul Marangella Pg 2 Assumptions and basic requirements Pg 3 Drawing of a possible solution Pg 4 Reproduction of “So. Pacific Lines Common Standard Method of Splicing Trestle Piles” dated 12/2/1954, showing drawings of several methods of trestle repair.
10/12/05	Argus-Courier article "Redevelopment boss leaves city hall" "Marangella, who said he was asked to resign following the discovery of $4.8 million in unpaid redevelopment bills." "informed sources said Marangella sometimes went outside of his authority while leading the city's redevelopment push, authorizing more spending on projects that the city later had to OK." Editor's note: Marangella apparently forgot to mention he had authorized $4.8 M in infrastructure costs for the Theater District development in excess of the original budgeted amount. The City of Petaluma was forced to use their budget surplus funds to cover the debt. Marangella was asked to "retire" and he accepted, effective January 1, 2006.
4/5/06	Dutra Construction provides cost estimate for restoring Trestle "36 piers with 4 piles each = 144 piles (assume 50' each) @ $80 per foot (treated and wrapped) = $576,000.00 Install Piles - 144 each @ $1200 per each = $172,800.00 Remove old deck to get access to piers = $50,000.00 (includes disposal) Replace deck after piers installed = $40,000.00 (buy decking and install) Replace Ties as necessary = $15,000.00 (will need to remove and replace at least 72 ties) Remove and dispose of old piling (180 each say $250 per each) = $45,000.00 TOTAL = $898,800.00 cost. BID would probably be in the range of $1.2 million from any contractor." .

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