Trail expansion gains pledge of $2 million
By Benjamin Lanka
The Journal Gazette
Mayor Graham Richard on Wednesday promised to spend $2 million worth of city money in an attempt to generate a total of $8 million to improve the city?s Rivergreenway system.
?This is money that will help us build more trails, maintain trails and encourage connection within our system,? he said.
Richard made the announcement before hosting a meeting with several different groups committed to building trails in and around Fort Wayne.
Richard said beginning next year, the city will spend $500,000 each of the next four years, for a total of $2 million, toward greenway development and renovations. He said that money can be used to attract state and federal grants along with donations from foundations and private residents.
He said the priority for the money is to improve the existing trail system and make connections between city trails and other trails. The improvements to existing trails will include better signs around the paths to assist users and additional parking areas at trail entrances to allow residents to drive to the paths.
Mike Kelly, head of Northwest Allen County Trails, said Richard?s proposal will help his group tie into the city faster than expected.
?It brings it all together a lot quicker than what we thought,? he said.
In the next five years, the northwest group plans to build a 10-mile trail along an abandoned rail bed from Coliseum Boulevard to North County Line Road. Kelly said the summit of greenway groups will help coordinate plans and financing applications, especially because state representatives were in attendance.
Augustus Berry, 37, of Fort Wayne, said he was grateful to have the greenway, but he wished it could be used to travel to work.
?The Rivergreenway is of no use except for recreation,? he said.
Berry said it was a good idea to connect trails across the county and hoped to get some businesses along the path that would cater to cyclists and pedestrians.
Richard said most of the city?s money will come from its county economic development income tax revenue.
?Our efforts to enhance the greenway system will help us build a better city and retain and gain jobs,? he said.
The mayor said he will present his plan for all of the city?s CEDIT dollars next week, including how much will be given to each City Council district. Some councilmen have expressed concern about losing district money they say enhances community-oriented government.
Richard said the specific projects to be completed with the money will be announced in the coming weeks. He said it will be up to the city?s greenway director to find additional money and appropriate projects for the money.
The council must approve creating a greenway director position, but no member has vocally opposed it for the 2005 budget. Jack Stark has been the greenway coordinator since June on a volunteer basis.
The meeting also allowed different groups to present their plans for new trails in the county and address questions from residents. Richard said the city?s 20 miles of trails could expand to 80 miles if each group?s plan comes to fruition. >Link
Posted by Admin at September 24, 2004 10:26 AM