Supervisors support grant for bike trail
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Wed January 06 2010
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Posted Jan 6, 2010
- 10,378
Marshalltown, AI
By Ken Black, Times-Republican
The Marshall County Board of Supervisors gave its blessing
for Region VI to proceed with a grant application to
connect portions of the bike trail near Marshalltown, but
not all supervisors were enthusiastic about the project.
In the end, Supervisor Ron Goecke said he could not see
the need for the projected, and questioned the overall
county commitment needed if the project were to come to
fruition.
"These are questions that need to be asked and, in fact,
have been asked," he said. "I'm not sure, and people
question why, this is necessary."
Marty Wymore, director of the Region VI Commission, said
the project has been a priority of many in the community
for years, even being part of the Imagine 2011 initiative.
"There is really good support for the project," he said.
Goecke noted that the project would become the
responsibility of Marshall County to maintain for a period
of 20 years. He noted the county would not only need to
maintain the paved trail, but also any walls that needed
to be constructed.
He also questioned about acquiring land for the project,
should that become necessary. Others at the meeting noted
the trail would be built on right of way that the county
and state already possess, making the taking of more land
from nearby property owners unnecessary.
The trail would connect two portions of trail already in
existence. The northernmost portion, running from
Riverview Park in Marshalltown to Grimes Farm, would be
linked by an approximate 2-mile stretch to another trail
running from S-75, a county road, to Melbourne.
The system through Marshall County is part of a nationwide
trail project known as the American Discovery Trail, the
only coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail in
the country.
The county's cash contribution would total $40,000,
according to County Engineer Royce Fichtner. Further, the
county would offer nearly $25,000 in engineering services
and inspections during the construction.
Though Goecke voted no, Supervisor Pat Brooks and
Supervisor Denny Grabenbauer voted for the resolution of
support.
"I think we'd be remiss if we didn't proceed forward with
this," Brooks said. "Will this, for many years, represent
our last chance to get this project done? This grant money
is not likely to be replenished by the state."
Project managers are hoping to get $167,000 from the state
Community Attractions and Tourism grant.
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Contact Ken Black at 641-753-6611 or
kblack@timesrepublican.com
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