Committee reviews trail and sidewalk projects; White River Greenway design contract headed to council with $2.5 million grant

City staff presented updates on multiple trail and sidewalk projects and funding at the Active Transportation Advisory Committee meeting on April (date not specified). Projects discussed included Mission Trail Phase 2, Midtown Trail completion, Drake Street and Maple Street projects, utility relocations for a signal/ArDOT letting, and a White River Greenway design contract supported by a state Climate Pollution Reduction Program grant.

Mission Trail Phase 2 (Viewpoint to Rush Drive) was described as nearly complete; the presenter showed before‑and‑after photos and noted drainage and crosswalk improvements, a road diet in one area and passive detection bollards at a greenway crossing. Midtown Trail work is “pretty much finished,” with follow‑up maintenance planned. Bids were opened April 15 for Drake Street extension and Maple Street Cycle Trail was out to bid; a guaranteed maximum price proposal is expected ahead of a May 6 city‑council request and a hoped construction start about May 12, timed to the University of Arkansas schedule.

Staff said utility relocations and some right‑of‑way work remain on a corridor project that ArDOT may bid; staff is monitoring ArDOT’s lettings calendar. The White River Greenway design engineer contract was described as likely to be approved by council next Tuesday; staff said the project has $2,500,000 from the state Climate Pollution Reduction Program and that the contract will be reimbursable, with invoicing to follow under the grant rules.

Committee members discussed smaller “quick‑build” versus full reconstruction approaches for areas such as Nelson‑Hackett (temporary buffers, edge line changes versus curb work that requires drainage reconstruction). Members noted sidewalk gaps on Nelson‑Hackett and other local connectors and discussed priority setting for potential bond funding; staff said bond buckets and timing were still under preliminary discussion with bond counsel and that more detail should emerge in the coming months. Staff encouraged committee input to any list of priority projects when city administration opens a formal process.

No formal votes were taken on these project updates during the meeting; staff said they would proceed with the normal contracting and council submittal process.