Committee declines trail paving request, mayor to explore engineering grant option

Residents and trail advocates urged the Muskegon Public Works and Safety Committee on July 21 to pursue paving and upgrades to the 6.6-mile recreational trail that runs on a We Energies right-of-way. The committee voted to deny the immediate request and asked the mayor to research engineering-grant options and report back to council. Jim Grenner, a Muskegon resident and former We Energies employee, told the committee the trail’s current surface — recycled asphalt millings and crushed stone — discourages many users and presents safety risks. "I became my vision became blurred because I was just vibrating so much trying to hold 15 miles an hour," Grenner said as he described a smartphone ride-quality measurement comparing the trail to nearby paved sections. Grenner and other speakers noted federal and state funding programs that could cover a large share of project costs, including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and a Knowles-Nelson stewardship fund administered by the Wisconsin DNR (a past legislative proposal was mentioned). Grenner suggested applying this fall for TAP engineering funds that reimburse up to 80% of design costs to produce plans needed for a future construction grant application. City staff described the length, right-of-way constraints and potential construction standards requested by We Energies, including a 10-foot width, 6 inches of asphalt and HS‑20 loading to accommodate utility vehicles — requirements that raise design and cost estimates well above earlier rough figures. Staff said a preliminary 2022 estimate for asphalt alone had been roughly $950,000 but cautioned that a full HS‑20 design, survey, engineering, and permitting could increase the cost into multiple millions. Public Works staff outlined two near-term paths: continue current maintenance (recycled millings), or pursue grant-funded engineering and phased construction. The mayor said he would research whether the city can apply for an engineering-only TAP grant without an immediate capital commitment and would report back to capital and committee channels. The committee voted unanimously to deny the immediate paving request and asked that the mayor return with options for pursuing engineering funds and possible capital programming. Advocates emphasized safety, connectivity and economic benefits if the trail were paved and connected to regional networks; opponents cautioned that current budget priorities and large road projects limit available local matching funds this year. Citizens were advised that any TAP application would require a council commitment to matching funds if the project advances beyond design.