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Council approves staff to pursue Shiloh trail enhancements; asks state timing be protected
Summary
Following a consultant master plan and a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant, the council directed staff to proceed with design-build bidding for enhanced Shiloh hike-and-bike trails while allowing potential rerouting if state review will not jeopardize grant deadlines.
The Laredo City Council on March 17 directed staff to pursue a design-build bidding process for enhancements to the Shiloh hike-and-bike trail system and allowed staff to consider a limited rerouting if Texas Parks & Wildlife review would not compromise the grant timeline.
Council Member David King presented the item with supporting materials from Rock Solid Trails, which prepared a concept master plan and cost estimates. City staff and economic development staff reviewed the history: the city applied for a Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) grant in 2022 that resulted in an award and a grant agreement dated July 31, 2023. Staff said the TPWD award included approximately $330,000 in authorized funds, of which roughly $60,000 was in-kind staff time, leaving about $260,000 of reimbursable cash to spend on construction. The TPWD grant requires environmental and cultural resource clearances; staff said those reviews are in progress and any alignment change would trigger additional archaeological and cultural reviews and extend review time.
Rock Solid (consultant) presented a master concept drawing showing a proposed linear asphalt walking connection on the northern portion of the Shiloh trail. City staff said Rock Solid estimated a larger enhancement package at about $770,000 (design plus construction) for more extensive improvements. King asked staff to pursue two parallel tracks: (1) start a design-build solicitation to complete the enhancement using available local funds and council priority funds, and (2) pursue a potential realignment north of the originally approved grant alignment only if TPWD indicated that the change would not delay grant closeout.
Council approved the motion by voice vote. Staff noted the TPWD grant closeout deadline is June 30, 2026, and that any realignment would require additional archaeological/cultural work and a modified review by state agencies. King said district priority funds and possible future bond or combined council contributions could be used to complete a larger scope.
Why it matters: The action aims to leverage a state grant and local funds to improve an existing trail corridor used by walkers and cyclists. Council members emphasized both the need for pedestrian connectivity and caution about jeopardizing state grant reimbursement deadlines.
Ending: Staff will begin procurement for design-build services and continue coordination with TPWD and archaeology consultants; the council emphasized that realignment should proceed only if it does not threaten the grant closeout timeline.
