New London ― The city is taking steps to transform a little-used 50-year-old pedestrian bridge into a “gateway” structure aimed at showcasing the city’s history and offerings to residents and visitors.

The City Council this month approved paying the Hartford-based Crosskey Architects firm $22,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to “reimagine and design” the Water Street walking bridge that connects the Winthrop Square housing complex on Federal Street to Fulton Park.

Director of Public Works Brian Sear said the bridge, built in 1973, is not in need of any structural improvements and any proposed work would fall under the aesthetic category.

“It has gotten vandalized over time with things like fencing being kicked out,” he said on Thursday. “But we addressed those issues about four years ago. It’s totally safe to cross and use.”

The span got heavier use years ago until the re-location in 2018 of tenants from the now-demolished Crystal Avenue apartments, many who crossed into downtown via the bridge.

Sear said plans to expand and improve park property on the Crystal Avenue side of the bridge will make the span a more attractive transportation option for walkers and cyclists, including those looking to visit downtown from nearby Connecticut College and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Felix Reyes, the city’s director of economic development and planning, said Fulton Park is now home to refurbished basketball courts and a skate park. Brush clearing has also been conducted in the area and plans are in place to create more hard-surface walking paths to facilitate pedestrian and biker travel from Old Town Mill to the Fulton Park bridge entrance.

Reyes said the new bridge contract calls for the Crosskey firm to conduct an initial safety review of the span and provide recommendations on how best to highlight the “formidable gateway” to residents, visitors and businesses.

“It should encompass what New London is,” Reyes said. “That could mean focusing on the city’s historical significance, its arts and culture and its maritime past,” Reyes said. “And a welcome sign would make sense, something in English and Spanish.”

Reyes said he’s had one meeting so far with Crosskey principals with a project “kick-off” gathering in the works. He said no firm timeline has been set for when bridge recommendations will be submitted.

Any approved work such as painting or fence additions would be conducted by contractors with the city’s public works’ office in an oversight role. The Crosskey contract does not include the cost for any actual bridge improvements.

“And we’d have to decide if it’s done little-by-little or all at once,” Reyes said. “But that bridge, as it is now, is not representative of New London.”

j.penney@theday.com