Community Development Approves $136,000 For Another Pedestrian Bridge
Wheels are in motion to build another pedestrian bridge, but this one would be on the Kingfisher Trail and would cross over Silver Creek.
Funding is proposed through an additional $136,214 the city received from the 2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
During Wednesday morning’s Community Development meeting, Community Development Director Ron Sitterding recommended that the unexpected money be allocated for the purchase of a pedestrian bridge for the Kingfisher Trail to cross Silver Creek and connect to the existing trail between downtown Rome and East/South Rome.
Sitterding also suggested purchasing a pre-fabricated bridge, which he said would save time and money.
The proposed bridge would be 160 feet long.
After discussions, the committee approved the recommendation, and the proposal will now go before the city commission for a vote.
Sitterding also asked the committee to approve support for a letter to be sent to Mercy Housing Southeast to forward to the Department of Community Affairs.
The letter would detail offsite improvements that the city will provide that would enhance the proposed Etowah Village in South Rome.
The application for the tax credit needed for the project to push forward is based on a point system, and an additional point is award for eligible offsite improvements.
Sitterding presented to the committee a draft copy of the proposed letter to Mercy Housing Southeast .
The offsite improvements listed in the letter included intersection improvements, Etowah Terrace realignment, the Kingfisher Trail and utility relocation.
Rome City Manager John Bennett said three of those projects have already been approved, because most of their funding is through SPLOST (special-purpose local-option tax) funds and grants.
The more than $136,000 proposed for the new pedestrian bridge could also be considered as part of the Kingfisher Trail offsite improvements for the project.
Intersection improvements listed would total $100,000 and be funded by the 2006 SPLOST, to be completed in July 2010.
The Etowah Terrace realignment would cost $200,000, which would be funded by 2010 CDBG money, to be completed in October 2010.
The Kingfisher Trail is listed at a cost of $286,000, with $100,000 funded through a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant, $136,000 coming from the additional 2008 CDBG and the other $50,000 from local capital. That project is to be completed in October 2010.
Utility relocation would cost $100,000, funded by the 2006 SPLOST with an estimated completion date of January 2010.
The committee had no major objection to the letter, since most of the projects had already received city commission approval.
Sitterding also told committee members that the new boat dock at Heritage Park would not be ready until the end of June.
Proposals are due back by April 30, he said.
He added that the repaired dock at Ridgeferry Park should be completed sometime in May.
During the meeting, South Rome Redevelopment Agency (SRRA) Director Karen Moore said the organization will be doing a request for proposals for the Etowah Terrace project on Friday, April 10.
Downtown Development Director Ann Arnold also announced that the First Friday concert series will begin on Friday, May 1.
Below is a map showing the Etowah Terrace ammenities:
Comments
By fedupin2008 on April 9th, 2009 at 10:57 am
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? LIKE WE NEED ANOTHER BRIDGE JUST TO WALK AROUND ON. WE ARE IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND PEOPLE ARE LOSING JOBS LEFT AND RIGHT, AND ALL YOU CAN THINK TO USE THE SPLOST MONEY ON ARE BRIDGES AND LANDSCAPING?? RIDICULOUS. WHY NOT TAKE THAT SPLOST MONEY AND FUND PROGRAMS TO HELP THESE FAMILIES WHO HAVE WORKED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES AND HAVE NOW BEEN EITHER LAID OFF OR LET GO?
By Neshnev on April 9th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
The bridge is needed to cross Silver Creek and join the future Kingfisher trail to the existing Silver Creek trail. The money is not from SPLOST funds but federal stimulus money contingent upon creating local jobs. The bridge will be fabricated by local workers and then moved to the site and erected by local workers. I think it’s a great idea and I’m glad the stimulus money was available to do it with…otherwise no bridge and no jobs.
By RomeNewswire on April 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
This is interesting. Was first I had heard of it but timing may be a tough sell to citizens in this current economic climate.
By Neshnev on April 10th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Tough indeed… I’ve been attending the public meetings proposing a Silver Creek Linear Park (SCLP) which would improve recreation/trail conditions from downtown at the beginning of E. 4th. St across the Etowah at the Bob Moore bridge to E. 12th St at the health department. It includes an fenced, off-leash dog area. Critics will say the Bob Moore bridge is a sufficient approach to any recreation improvements south of downtown but the private railroad siding on E. 4th. St has stymied access. Often, parked grain cars block the Bob Moore approach. The bridge proposal that Sitterding and committee sends to the commission solves that issue, gives breadth to the future Kingfisher trail, and funds the most expensive part of the SCLP proposal with federal stimulus dollars. If approved, citizens would have a safe and solid trail into South and East Rome…not too far from the soon to be abandoned Norfolk Southern road leading to Cave Spring and beyond.
By BILL McCARY on April 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
MAYBE THEY CAN THROW TEA FROM THIS ALSO ANOUTHER WHITE ELAPHANT WASTE OF FEERAL MONEY
By fedupin2008 on April 16th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
You know what? Where do you think this “federal grant” money comes from? Taxpayers. Money just does not pop into existence. I don’t care where the money is coming from. Look at all the wasted dollars…the “foot bridge at the Forum”. Goodness knows, we just couldn’t have survived without that bridge to walk across the river. Another one…the “green” between the Forum and the river… At this juncture in the economy with millions drawing unemployment, do you think those people really care if you can get to a park easier? Do you think that they care about another bridge, trail, or a pretty grassy knoll? No, they think about providing for their families and getting a job- A permanent stable job. Regardless where the money comes from, whether it be grant or SPLOST, the money should be reallocated to benefit the citizens financially not aesthetically.
By mablair on April 16th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
We have under paid over worked, police officers, and firemen to whom risk there lives daily to protect our community. Federal government gives Floyd County some money, let’s build a bridge, that you can only walk across. Get on a bycycle, because you can’t afford gas and get a ticket. Now without the police to protect you with the way things are going in Floyd county how many people do you think is going to be walking across a bridge. Why can’t the money ne used to hire more police officers, that would do what get more people employeed? The company that is hired to build this bridge, like it or not they will build the bridge. They should be checked and verified that they follow all rules, which means don’t employ anyone illegally. If tax payors are going to pay for the bridge, tax payors should receive the money to build the bridge.