Muddy conditions in the floodway prohibited today's big announcement from taking place near the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge (complete with a scheduled "steel signing"), so instead the $10-million donation aimed at converting the Continental Bridge into a pedestrian bridge was unveiled by Mayor Tom Leppert at the office of the Trinity Trust Foundation.
"It's with gratitude and a glad heart that we accept this amazing gift, especially in the face of some trying times that we're experiencing in our nation today. However, a gift of this magnitude and given with such selfless vision shows that there is no limit to what we can all do together," Leppert said. "This will be a perfect way to encourage outdoor fun for everyone and to showcase our new star, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge."
The bridge's designer, Santiago Calatrava, was on hand (for one of the last times we're told), as were members of the city council -- sans Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, Vonciel Hill, Carolyn Davis and, you guessed it, Angela Hunt. Leppert narrated a short video of trucks driving in pieces of the steel for the bridge and followed with the announcement of the donation, which was anonymous and given in honor of Mary McDermott Cook, chair of the Trinity Trust, who shared some intimate moments with the mayor.
We'll have more tomorrow as we cornered Calatrava before McDermott Cook whisked him away for a photo op, but for now, chew on this generic quote from Leppert before you jump for a rendering of the proposed Continental Bridge, a new one of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and another photo of Leppert and McDermott Cook that made our day.
"The suspense is indeed building, folks," Leppert said.