Graffiti being removed off Minisa Bridge near North High

A historic bridge near North High School is undergoing cleaning after vandals recently spray-painted it with graffiti.

It’s not the first time the Minisa Bridge has seen vandalism.

“In recent memory, this is the third tag we’ve seen on the bridge,” Christina Rieth, historic preservation planner for Wichita, said. “The first time was in 2018 and then once in 2019, and then we saw some tags, you know, a few weeks ago and then some more tags last week, so twice in, I’d say, a month.”

Rieth is asking people to call 316-268-4392 to report graffiti on the bridge. The process to remove it is easier the sooner the graffiti is found, she said.

“If it’s fresh, we can clean it off with just Dawn and a little bit of water or maybe some baking soda and vinegar,” Rieth said.

This time, the graffiti was on the bridge for a few weeks before the city was notified. So this time, the city had to use chemical products — provided through a company called Prosoco — to remove it.

“We’re [also] currently using a heavy-duty paint stripper, which has been pretty effective but will take multiple applications,” Rieth said.

Removing graffiti comes with a set of risks, Rieth said.

“The products that we use, the chemical products, they are supposedly safe for historic masonry, however, it’s inconclusive as to whether it’s safe for Carthalite, the colored concrete on the bridge,” Rieth said.

The Arkansas River Coalition’s purpose is to conserve and protect the Arkansas River watershed and advance its well-being. Hoyt Hillman, a board member for the coalition, said that the graffiti would not only take away from the natural landscape, but it could also risk the safety of river-goers.

“We’d point it out, like we would point out trash or debris or anything else or any hazards that were in the river that would distract people from the safety of paddling their own boat or kayak down the river,” he said. “So for us it’s a distraction.”

The Minisa Bridge is on the Little Arkansas River, which is a common place for beginners, Hillman said.

“The Little Ark is quite often a slower-flowing river with less current, so it makes for a safer passageways for beginners,” Hillman said.

The coalition and the city have a good working relationship, he said.

“We have always coordinated closely with a city, we have a shared understanding with the city and support their efforts.”