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Harpers Ferry council backs federal grant application to rebuild High Street sidewalks
Summary
The council voted 4-0 to direct the mayor to endorse and execute an application for a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant to design and construct a new High Street sidewalk project. Staff said the project would be fully funded if selected, requires no local match, and the West Virginia Department of Transportation would deliver the project.
The Harpers Ferry Town Council on Sept. 11 adopted a resolution directing the mayor to endorse and execute an application for a Federal Lands Access Program grant to design, engineer and construct a High Street sidewalk and streetscape project.
Town staff told council the application was submitted through the Hagerstown Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization and that the federal program would fund final design and construction at roughly $1.7 million if the application is selected. Staff emphasized the application requires no local match and that the West Virginia Department of Transportation would be the project delivery agency if the grant is awarded. The application deadline cited in the meeting was Oct. 1.
Staff recounted the project’s history: an $80,000 preliminary engineering award in 2016, follow-up concept development by the Department of Highways (DOH), and public hearings. The most feasible plan identified by DOH shifts the roadway about 2 feet to the south to create continuous sidewalks and address pedestrian safety, stormwater, ADA compliance and related concerns.
Council discussion noted that the planning commission had earlier halted the project because the submitted plan was incomplete and estimates had previously included a required local match. Staff said recent conversations with DOH left them confident the plan can be completed and that the full federal funding opportunity removes the local-match barrier that previously stalled the proposal.
Councilmembers voted 4-0 to adopt the resolution authorizing the mayor to execute the application and required documents. Staff said the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park superintendent and other partners will need to sign off during later design phases and that the town will have opportunities for public input on design details after funding is secured.
Clarifying details: staff described the project total as approximately $1,700,000, said no local match is required for this FLAP application, and noted West Virginia Department of Transportation would act as delivery agency if the grant is awarded.
