Council joins regional talks on Bonita‑Estero rail‑trail; directs staff to work with partners on USDOT letter

Council members heard an extended update on regional funding discussions for the proposed Bonita‑Estero Rail Trail and voted to direct staff to coordinate with the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and partner jurisdictions on a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (internal guidance referenced to DOT staff was said to risk previously awarded bicycle infrastructure funding).

City staff and outside partners reported that the three jurisdictions — Bonita Springs, Estero and Collier County — met to discuss a memorandum of agreement that would allocate responsibilities for acquisition, future construction and maintenance. Participants encouraged a near‑term financial commitment from each jurisdiction to strengthen grant applications. During the meeting Estero’s representatives were reported to be prepared to consider large commitments (discussed informally in the meeting as $15–20 million). Collier County staff discussed a distinct, roughly $14 million figure tied to a 1.4‑mile segment within Collier County; Collier officials argued there is a strong local justification related to right‑of‑way needs for county road connections.

Council members and staff cautioned that the purchase price estimates discussed during the meeting varied by calculation method (total corridor purchase price, mileage allocations and mitigation costs were all flagged as variables), and that any city commitment would be subject to a future appraisal, mitigation accounting and a formal financing decision by council.

After discussion the council voted to direct staff to work with Estero, Collier County and TPL to prepare a joint letter to DOT urging continued support for bicycle and active‑transportation funding and to request that department staff consider locally demonstrated need and regional benefits. The agenda motion carried on a roll call vote; Council member Carr recorded the sole no vote.