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Show SesEi Replacement" By ROSELYN KIRK A citizens' group from the Val Verda area will hold a meeting on May 25 to formulate for-mulate plans to restore the Val Verda Arch at 3100 South Orchard Drive. EDWIN DAVIS, 2964 Davis Boulevard, one of the spokesman spokes-man for the group, said hand bills will be distributed to residents north and west of the arch, including the general area from North Salt Lake to 1800 North. He said the group "plans to exert pressure wherever needed to restore the arch." The citizens group has contacted con-tacted W.W. and W.B. Gardner Construction Company Com-pany and Miller Brick Company, Com-pany, whose equipment damaged the arch. CITIZENS ARE hopeful that insurance carried by the companies, will pay for the reconstruction. He said, "The companies are reluctant to report the incident to their insurance companies." Although the county commission com-mission has received several calls on the matter, according to Commissioner Wendell Zaugg, the commission "is waiting to find out the legal results of the matter before we make any commitment." THE DESTRUCTION of the arch began on Saturday, April 25 about 8 a.m. when a truck with some heavy equipment, owned by W.W. and W.B. Gardner Construction Company Com-pany hit the arch. On Saturday, Satur-day, April 30, the partially destroyed arch was hit again this time by a truck, driven by an employee from Miller Brick Company. The driver was Richard V. Conder. Henri Frederiksen, a member of the Davis County Planning Commission, had been instrumental in restoring restor-ing the arch after it was knocked down in 1959. He said the Davis County Sheriff's Office ordered the arch dismantled dis-mantled after the second collision on April 30. MR. FREDERIKSEN said after the second mishap, the sign was left hanging over the road, obstructing traffic. He said the arch was 15 foot high at the middle of the arch, but was lowered after the first collision. Mr. Frederiksen said he had headed the committee which replaced the arch 18 years ago. About 600 signatures signa-tures of local residents were obtained before the insurance company of a plumbing company com-pany agreed to pay for replacing the structure after it was damaged. "It was a year and one half fight," he said. ALTHOUGH Mr. Frederiksen Frederik-sen said he didn't want to head the present restoration committee, he sees the arch as a landmark. "I wouldn't know how to tell people to get to my house, if it weren't for the arch," he said. Mr. Davis said if the arch is reconstructed, it will have to meet planning specifications. The current arch was constructed con-structed from a plan drawn by Davis County Engineers. Mr. Davis said copies of the drawing recommended by the engineers show that the arch was constructed one foot higher than the specifications required. HE SAID the arch has been repaired at least twice since it was restored 18 years ago. Last year Mr. Davis and his son worked with some citizens ci-tizens to repair and repaint. Mr. Davis said he "feels the companies were negligent and should pay for the restoration." res-toration." Commissioner Zaugg said the commission will wait to see it charges are made against the negligent parties and whether the in. surance companies agree to replace the arch. HE SAID if the insurance companies plan to pay for the damage, "the question of who pays the difference is still a problem." If reconstructed the arch would have to be higher and meet other build ing specifications. Joseph Moore, Davis Planning Commission Com-mission director, said the planning office had not been approached to come up with any specifications or plans for the arch. Mr. Davis said a committee had previously been workins ' f on plans to light the arch eveS I before the destruction. Utah i I Power and Light would ser. 'J vice the lights on a perpetual basis for a set figure, but a S local group of citizens would have to agree to make the " monthly payments if the arch I is to be lighted after the V proposed restoration. MR. FREDERIKSEN said the first arch was built in 1915 X, by V. A. Bettilyon who sub- -divided the area and used the ; arch as an advertising gim. mick. The first arch stood : from 1915 to 1959. During the " last fight for restoration of the arch, he said the Davis ;' County attorney carried the ball in helping the residents '. collect from the insurance company for the restoration. ' ' ' |