Decorative Lighting Plan

Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota

1. Purpose: The purpose of this plan is to define a plan for scheduling the use of decorative lighting

on the Sorlie Bridge, and to provide a mechanism to modify this plan. This plan is only designed

to address the above purposes.

2. Terms: Terms used in this document will be defined below:

2.1. Plan: This Decorative Lighting Plan.

2.2. Decorative Lighting: Any lighting, particularly colored lighting, which is not necessary for

roadway or pedestrian lighting.

2.3. Standard Lighting: All white lighting.

2.4. Lighting Theme: The color and intensity of each lighting fixture or zone, for a particular lighting

event.

2.5. Lighting Event: A discrete period of time (or a particular triggering event) that a particular

lighting theme will be in effect.

2.6. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of The Greater Forks Bridge Lighting Team.

2.7. The Team: Greater Forks Bridge Lighting Team.

2.8. The Schedule: The Sorlie Bridge Decorative Lighting Schedule. A stand-alone document

designed to be used in conjunction with The Plan. Identifies the lighting colors that may be

used and the dates that they may be used.

2.9. Bridge: Sorlie Bridge (NDDOT # 0002-911.409; MnDOT # 4700)

2.10. Cities: Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

12/7/2017 Page 1 of 15
 Decorative Lighting Plan
Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
2.11. SHPO: State Historic Preservation Officer. Minnesota and North Dakota each have a

SHPO and both were consulted in development of the Plan.

2.12. GFHPC: Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission.

3. Background: Colored, decorative lighting has been installed on the Sorlie bridge, which spans the

Red River between the cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

This decorative lighting allows the trusses to be illuminated in any range of color, including white.

Lighting controls allow the lighting color and intensity to be changed for the different lighting

zones. A lighting plan is necessary to define when colored decorative lighting will be allowed on

the bridge.

4. Bridge: This plan applies to the Sorlie bridge.

4.1. Sorlie Bridge

4.1.1. Sorlie Bridge, built in 1929, is a 602.6 foot long 2-span riveted Parker through truss

bridge. It spans the Red River of the North. It connects the eastern end of Demers

Avenue in Grand Forks, ND to the western end of Demers Avenue in East Grand Forks,

Minnesota.

4.1.1.1. North Dakota Information

4.1.1.1.1. NDDOT # 0002-911.409

4.1.1.1.2. NDSHPO # 32GF279

4.1.1.1.2.1. The Sorlie Bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic

Places. It is listed for its historic significance on the statewide level under

12/7/2017 Page 2 of 15
 Decorative Lighting Plan
Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
criterion A (for its significance in transportation – a key river crossing) and

under criterion C (for engineering – the large roller bearing designed to

accommodate the shifting clay banks of the river in this location).

4.1.1.2. Minnesota Information

4.1.1.2.1. MnDOT # 4700

4.1.1.2.2. MNSHPO # PL-EGC-007

4.1.1.2.2.1. MnDOT has committed to preserving the Sorlie Bridge. It is one

of the bridges listed in the Minnesota Department of Transportation

(MnDOT) Programmatic Agreement as a bridge to be preserved in place.

MnDOT has developed a Management Plan to address the current and

future management of the bridge. The plan defines three character-

defining features: 1) the two Parker truss spans, 2) the large roller

bearings on steel tracks which serve as the expansion joints, and 3) the

ornamental bridge railings and memorial plaques.

5. Greater Forks Bridge Lighting Team (GFBLT): The Team is responsible for developing this plan

and getting it signed by the respective parties. After this document is signed, The Team will be

responsible for maintenance and evolution of this Plan according to the provisions set forth in this

Plan.

5.1. Team Members: Representatives from each of the following entities will comprise The Team:

5.1.1. The City of Grand Forks

12/7/2017 Page 3 of 15
 Decorative Lighting Plan
Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
5.1.2. The City of East Grand Forks

5.1.3. The Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission

5.1.4. NDSHPO

5.1.5. MnSHPO

5.1.6. NDDOT

5.1.7. MnDOT

5.2. Team Roles: The Team will work cooperatively to establish this Plan and to maintain and

evolve the Plan in a mutually agreeable manner.

6. Decorative Lighting

6.1. The decorative lighting will be programmed by the City of Grand Forks from a single control

facility for the entire bridge, located in the Grand Forks Demers Avenue Flood Station. It

allows changing the color and intensity of the decorative lighting by zone or fixture.

Transitions from Standard Lighting to Decorative Lighting and back will occur rapidly and

smoothly so as not to distract the traveling public. Decorative lighting shall be steady and

shall not flash, pulse, or rapidly switch from one color to another, once the lighting theme has

been established. A short show on New Year’s Eve transitions from Holiday to Winter theme.

6.2. Lighting Events: The schedule, duration and themes for the lighting events will be initially

determined by The Team and shall be defined and maintained in the stand-alone Sorlie

Bridge Decorative Lighting Schedule.

6.2.1. Sorlie Bridge Decorative Lighting Schedule:

12/7/2017 Page 4 of 15
 Decorative Lighting Plan
Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
6.2.1.1. The Lighting Schedule shall be a stand-alone document to allow for easier

evolution of the schedule to community and state interests.

6.2.1.2. The Lighting Schedule will be initially devised and then maintained by The

Team.

6.2.1.3. The Lighting Schedule is intended to be an evolving document changing to

reflect community interests and preferences. As such, the schedule is expected to

change and evolve to reflect the changing priorities and preferences of the Grand

Forks and East Grand Forks communities.

6.2.1.4. Lighting Themes shall be compatible with the historic nature of the bridge itself

as well as the Grand Forks Downtown Historic District. Flashing or garish themes

shall not be used.

7. Modifications to this Plan:

7.1. Modifications to this Plan shall be reviewed and considered by The Team at the Annual

Meeting of The Team, held in December. Any modifications to The Plan shall require new

signatures by the governing body of each Team Member.

7.2. Documenting modification to this Plan:

7.2.1. All modifications to this Plan shall be made in the respective section of the plan itself.

Addendums shall not normally be used to modify this Plan.

8. Modifications to the Sorlie Bridge Decorative Lighting Schedule:

12/7/2017 Page 5 of 15
 Decorative Lighting Plan
Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
8.1.1. Each Team Member will develop a process for recording requests from the public for

modification to The Schedule. These requests shall be brought to the Annual Meeting for

consideration.

8.1.2. The Team shall discuss any proposed modifications to The Schedule at the Annual

Meeting and if a consensus is reached, The Schedule shall be modified accordingly.

Changes to The Schedule shall require unanimous consent of all members of The Team.

8.1.2.1. The date that the addition or redline is made shall be recorded in the

appropriate Lighting Event in The Schedule.

8.1.3. NDDOT and MnDOT districts shall review the proposed changes for safety concerns.

8.2. Temporary Modifications to The Schedule:

8.2.1. Temporary Events: There will be certain events that arise quickly where modifications

to The Schedule may be desirable. These temporary modifications may be local events,

such as a National or State Championship in school sports, or a national event such as

the death of US President. These events are difficult to anticipate and this Plan allows

for temporary modifications to The Schedule to accommodate such Temporary Events.

8.2.2. Duration of Temporary Events: Each Temporary Event shall last no more than seven

days. The minimum duration shall be one day.

8.2.2.1. At the end of each Temporary Event, the lighting shall be switched back to that

called for in The Schedule.

12/7/2017 Page 6 of 15
 Decorative Lighting Plan
Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
8.2.3. Determining Temporary Events: It is the intent of The Plan to give local control of

determining appropriate Temporary Events to Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, with

reporting and review at the Annual Meeting by The Team. A written proposal for the

Temporary Event shall include: 1) The purpose of the Temporary Event, 2) The dates

that the lighting is proposed to be changed from that specified in The Schedule, and 3)

The colors to employ during the Temporary Event. This written proposal shall be signed

by the Mayor of Grand Forks or the Mayor of East Grand Forks and approved by The

Team. The signed proposal shall be sent to all members of The Team via email and The

Team shall review the proposal and respond to the email within four normal business

hours (between 8AM and 5PM). The lights may be manually changed from that specified

in The Schedule provided no unresolved objection from Team members remains after the

four hour review period.

8.2.3.1. Temporary Lighting Report: Representatives from the Grand Forks and East

Grand Forks cities shall maintain a list of Temporary Events, including the following

information: 1) The purpose of the Temporary Event, 2) The dates that the lighting

was changed, 3) The colors employed during the Temporary Event, and 4) Any

public response to the Temporary Event. This report shall be presented to The

Team at the Annual Meeting for review.

9. Sunset Date: This Plan shall not expire.

12/7/2017 Page 7 of 15
 Decorative Lighting Plan
Sorlie Bridge
Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
10. Termination: Any Team Member, by action of the governing body, can terminate this Plan, by

providing written notification to all other team members, detailing the reason for termination.

Every effort shall be taken to resolve conflicts to avoid termination. If this Plan is terminated,

lighting shall revert to Standard Lighting. No Decorative Lighting shall be used after termination

unless this Plan or a substitute plan is back in effect.

Signatures: The following signatures by the team members signify that each member accepts the
terms of this Plan.

12/7/2017 Page 8 of 15