Local News
Council beginning to take closer look at how to spend greenway funds
del.icio.us
Digg
NewsVine
FarkRAPID CITY -- Over the past couple of weeks Alderman Malcom Chapman says he's received two to three calls per day from people with ideas and suggestions about how the city should spend $1.7 million in federal money for greenway and pedestrian projects.
A federal earmark in the 2005 federal transportation bill set aside $1.7 million for Rapid City greenway, pedestrian and bike path expansion projects, but so far the city hasn't decided how to use it.
The money is part of $1.3 billion spread over five years designated for South Dakota.
"At some point I think we need to have a public meeting to get ideas from the public about it," he said. "There are some great ideas out there in the public for how to use this money."
Other city council members agreed.
"I think it's time for city to identify how these funds should be spent," Alderman Sam Kooiker said.
Kooiker wants to find out if the money can be used to make curb cuts that are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a project he said the city is behind on completing.
"Maybe this is using a shoe horn trying to make something fit that doesn't fit the use of this money but I would remind everyone that we have curb cuts all over town that could be used by wheelchairs and bicycles that need to be brought up to ADA standards," he said.
Alderman Bob Hurlbut said he hopes the money can be tied into, and possibly accelerate, downtown revitalization efforts, and asked staff to prepare a clear explanation of how the funds can be used.
"I know they have to be related to greenway and I believe they have to be related to pedestrian and bicycle traffic type of things," he said.
The city tried to use those funds to acquire M Hill property for parkland, but federal officials indicated it couldn't be used for that purpose. The city is currently seeking clarification on exactly how the money can be used.
Some ideas that have been discussed so far include improved Omaha Street pedestrian crossings, improved pedestrian paths and bike trails through the downtown, and tying the greenway and pedestrian/bike trail system to M Hill.
There has also been talk of extending the bike path system east and west, adding bike lanes on some streets and even an idea to turn abandoned railroad lines into a "rails to trails" project between Rapid City and the airport, possibly even extending as far east as Badlands National Park.
When the city is ready to use the funds it is required to provide an 18 percent match, probably through 2012 funds.
The council plans to discuss potential uses for the money during committee meetings later this month.
Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com
The opinions above are from readers of rapidcityjournal.com and in no way represent the views of the Rapid City Journal or Lee Enterprises.
Rapidcityjournal.com provides this community forum for readers to exchange ideas and opinions on the news of the day. Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude language and personal abuse are not welcome. Moderators will monitor comments with an eye toward maintaining a high level of civility in this forum. Our comment policy explains the rules of the road for registered commenters.
If you don't see your comment, perhaps...
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy