City will try to buy rec trail land

City to pursue $169,000 state grant to provide 75% of funds for project.

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By Mark McGregor, Staff Writer 11:20 PM Tuesday, January 17, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — Commissioners unanimously approved an application for state funding Tuesday night that would buy land on which to build two missing portions of a Springfield recreation trail.

The application for more than $169,000 in Clean Ohio Trails funds would provide 75 percent of funding needed to link the Little Miami Recreation Trail — if approved by the Clean Ohio Council, according to the emergency ordinance.

Two segments of the 96-mile trail aren’t on a dedicated path and instead use the roads, including Yellow Springs and Plum streets. That has led many trail users to turn around before heading into Springfield from the south, officials have said.

The land would allow construction of a trail between Fair Street and Johnny Lytle Avenue and West John Street and Interstate 70.

“I must say that since that’s in my neighborhood, I’m happy to see it happen,” said Mayor Warren Copeland. “I get scared that someone is going to get hurt badly ... out in the middle of traffic.”

The city expects to find out if it was approved for the grant this summer, City Engineer Leo Shanayda said.

Funding applications are due by Feb. 1, the reason for the emergency ordinance.

Land acquisition is estimated to cost a total of $225,500. The remaining 25 percent local match would be paid for with federal transportation dollars.

Construction is still in the design phase and an estimated cost was not available Tuesday. Shanayda expects the city to ask for additional dollars later for construction, slated to begin in 2014.

The Clark County-Springfield Transportation Coordinating Committee assisted with the application. Funds will be managed by the city of Springfield.

The trail is part of a more than 35-mile system of bike trails in Clark County linking Dayton and Columbus.

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